From: hudson@athena.cs.uga.edu (Paul Hudson Jr)
Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian
Subject: Re: Men's/Women's Roles in Marriage
Date: 13 Oct 92 05:29:41 GMT
Organization: University of Georgia, Athens

In article <Oct.10.02.34.32.1992.16729@geneva.rutgers.edu> thughes@ug.cs.dal.ca (Tracy L. Hughes) writes:
>If, however, you define the
>Bible as simply carrying the essential tenents of Christianity rather than
>being word-for-word true (i.e. The words of Christ hold the weight..as long
>as they (and the ten commandments, which follow from the words of Christ)
>are obeyed then what doesnt follow directly from them can be overlooked as
>a symptom of the social context in which the verse in question was written),
>then a group of Christians can find a clear reason why the clause that
>women submit to their husbands is not essential and ergo can be ignored.

Paul's teaching on marriage is presented as something that is "doctrinally
important."  Paul describes it as something that is translated as a 
"mystery."  Mysteries are deep truth wich have great spiritual mystery.  
Look at the other mysteries in the Scriptures.  As such, this great
spiritual truth of the similarities between Christ and the church, and
the ideal relationship between husband and wife.  By not obeying these 
instructions on how husbands and wives are to live, not only would one
face the judgemental/chastizing consequences of disobedience, but one
can also miss out on understanding this important relationship.


>Is it worth damaging the faith of so many modern day women who view marriage
>as a joining of equals and who view women's equality as something which is
>clearly right, to insist that such an inessential clause

Faith is supposed to manifest itself in obedience.  Obedience to Christ
includes submitting to whom He would have you submit, and leading whom He
would have you lead.   It would be easier, given the attitudes of the world,
to follow the worldly example of having neither husband nor wife specified
as leader in the home.  It is certainly hard to submit, but often, it may be
also easier for men to assume the leadership role given all of societies
pressures (though I can only speak for myself.)  

If faith can be so easily damaged, simply by teaching people to obey the 
Scriptures, then maybe this faith should be shaken.  Maybe faith that is
so easily influenced by modern day thought is not founded on the unshakable
foundation.  Maybe a storm should come and destroy the house so that
it can be rebuilt on the solid foundation- Christ Jesus.  

, one that does
>not logically follow from Christ's commandments to us except BOTH ways..
>i.e. husband and wife BOTH submit to each other as we should all submit to
>those we love...be followed.  I think it does more harm than good.

We are told to all submit to one another, but the command for wives to 
submit to their husbands is specific (and oft-repeated.)  We are all to
be subject one to another, yet at the same time, the elder does not lose
his position of authority.  (Elders, like husbands are not to lord over
those in their care.)  A Christian ruler would not lose his authority over
his subjects.  Christ made Himself the servant of all, yet that does not
take away His authority as King of Kings.  Husbands also are to submit
to all, including their wives, but he does not cease to have the responsibility
as head.  

Link Hudson.