Showing posts with label father. Show all posts
Showing posts with label father. Show all posts

27 January 2008

The Man is the Head...Until the Marriage Vows?




So here's an argument complimentarians make:
The structure in a marriage is like the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. They are all equal, but the Father is the head and therefore in marriage the husband should be the head even though the women is equal (I'm not sure where the Holy Spirit fits into this...). I find this argument is more based on extrapolating scripture rather than taking scripture as a whole...

For one, we are assuming that the 'husband' is perfect as the Father is and that the wife is also as perfect as Jesus was.
Secondly, I'm not sure that argument fits scripture in its entirety. Jesus did everything what the Father told him to do, but that was in his earthly form. He set us an example therefore of how we are to live closely with the Father, but I don't think this transposes to marriage.
Thirdly, and correct me if I'm wrong, but most of the correlations I find in scripture is that men are to love their wives like Jesus loves the church, and the Father is not mentioned in these analogies. There are more things I can say here, but in an effort to keep blogs short this year, I'll let you read between the lines based on my concluding position. :-)
Among other things if we did take this position theologically, then we must be confronted with the fact that the Father has given all power to Jesus and that he is the one that will rule an reign forever when he returns. (Philippians and Revelation).

Since this is known as the marriage supper with the Lamb, should we not then conclude that the juxtaposition of this would be that the man is the 'head' during dating, but the woman takes over after marriage?

With all due respect to those who are complimentarians, as I search the whole of scripture and the character of God, I find it more compelling to believe that God wants me to be egalitarian.

04 October 2007

My experience tells me that God is emerging (reflections on The Gathering)





For a while know I've considered myself a part to the emerging conversation. We vibe!
But I must admit that coming to the Emergent "The Gathering" here in New Mexico, I had some (very small and very few) reservations.
After all, until now my only connection with emerging has been with people in my local area, and online. In other words, a tad limited.

I had this horrific thought that those attempting to slay the emerging church as if they were the evil dragon of the land might have some validity in their passion against us.

I'm thankful to know that I was wrong.

I have encountered a people here that are passionate about the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I have engaged with people who with great desperation want to see the Kingdom of God realized here on earth.

I have not found what people fear here.

I have found a people wanting to move forward in hope, in life, and and in love, all in the name of our Saviour.

I have found people who live their faith more holistically than most people I've known. Their whole lives, from what they eat, drink, eat, speak, wear, breathe, and how they engage with others, is a reflection (or an attempted heartfelt reflection) of Jesus.

Raw, flawed, and beautiful. Passionate, desperate, and humble. Gracious, giving, and hope-filled. These are the people of Emergent and I identify with them.

And now, it is time for me to move forward. To be above the line of lobbying and arguing. To be above the line of defending or attacking. But to move forward in the revelation that God is giving hope to a new generation through the Emerging church. Whether this phenomenon lasts 1000 years or 10, God is here now. God is with them.

I am a part of them.
And I'm not ashamed.