A Woman of Chayil: Far Above Rubies by Jane Carole Anderson

[aron]

Originally Posted by OBW

Remember. Paul did not speak the same thing in all places. He spoke to the issues that needed addressing.

And when you read the epistle that was later labeled as to Ephesus, you find that the submission was a two-way street. We were to submit to one another. Wives to husbands, and husbands to wives. No hierarchy of submission except that all submit to Christ.

This speaks to what I was getting at. First, look at context; don't assume a one-size-fits-all directive for all. Second, ask yourself how much the implementation moves away from the clear, repeated examples Jesus gave in both word and deed. As I once put it, it's too easy to use the letter of Paul to quench the Spirit of Jesus.

Slaves obey your masters. Still applicable in our workplace. We voluntarily indenture ourselves for payment, so the hierarchical rules still apply.

Obey the king. Other than the fact that we have a government of laws rather than persons, still applicable.

Obey one another. Obviously relevant, and coherent with Jesus' core message. (the first two Jesus didn't preach on but they can easily be assumed).

Children obey your parents. Still applicable. Shouldn't a two-year-old obey a 22-year-old mother? Or a 12-year-old obey a 35-year-old father? Even the unbelievers would think this still makes sense.

Women obey men ('be silent in church/obey your husbands etc'). This I think deserves very careful scrutiny. The times have changed. Paul was speaking to the time. Don't upset social convention in the name of our newfound freedom in Christ. This goes to the 'king' idea as well. Herod the despised may be on the throne. Oh well. "My kingdom is not of this earth".

This speaks to the Epistle to the Corinthians as well. Also the epistle to Timothy, and Jude's letter: libertines were coming in. Drunkards, sexually promiscuous, etc, saying, "The law is over", and "We are free in Christ" Paul was speaking to this. But guess what? 2,000 years have gone by and the context of freedom in social arrangements has changed.

I've said it several times but it bears about 50 more. Why did women start the Little Flock movement with Watchman Nee, and 100 years later, they can't speak from the podium? Women now can vote and run for president but they can't speak in front of a LC meeting. They have to be "covered by a brother". The letter of Paul has now been used to establish an controlling hierarchy of oppressive, reactionary old men, and those who'll submit to them and their system. Pft. Where is Jesus, here? Nowhere that I can see. Like the RCC. Hierarchy and control. Rigidity. "Order". No life. No freedom of the spirit.

Btw I'm not advocating a new group formation, or the 'emergent church' or ordination of women or any such thing. I'm simply saying let's respect the narrative, here. Let's look at it again, instead of saying, "Paul says 'x' ". Talk about dead letters. Again and again and again; look at Jesus over and over, and you'll see what Paul's spirit is addressing here. Paul didn't leave the Jesus he met on the road. Why should we?