Tuesday, July 07, 2009

Biblical Model of Family Should be Avoided??

I came across this conclusion to a post seemingly against the Biblical mandate of patriarchy for family government:
Patriarchy is the result of man's sinful desire to control and dominate and should be, by God's grace, avoided at all costs.
(link)

I realize that there are many feminists (of both sexes) out there, but it is absolutely ridiculous to the point of absurdity to suggest that Christians should seek to rebel against God's mandate of patriarchy. The article that concludes with the comment above shows a lack of sense so profound that, at first, I figured that the author must be joking.

The article is wrong on so many levels it is tough to summarize them.

1) Patriarchy is Not the Result of the Fall

Yes, the specific statement that Adam would rule over Eve was given upon the fall, but Eve was created under Adam's headship: a help meet for him, from his rib. It was in Adam's sin that mankind fell (not in Adam's and Eve's sin).

2) Human Government Necessary Because of Fall

However, further, human government is necessary because of sin. If men were angels, we would not need a government. This is true in all spheres of authority: it is necessary for children to have parents, for wives to have husbands, for servants to have masters, for citizens to have kings, and for the church to have elders.

3) The Powers that be are Ordained by God

This, again, is true in all spheres of authority. Parents are ordained over their children - husbands over their wives - masters over their servants - kings over their subjects - and the elders over the church.

Mr. Wade Burleson's idea of trying to undermine the headship of husbands on the grounds of his misconception that this headship is the result of the fall is tragic and at the same time outlandish. Until the modern times, virtually every society on Earth has remained aware of the propriety of husbands ruling over their wives - the mythical race of the Amazons has to be discovered. That men are to be the rulers over their wives is something so clear that one might think Scriptural revelation unnecessary, because the general revelation in the light of nature is so clear. But sadly, its opponents are unafraid to publish their criticism of it.

Remember this, however: the Husband/Wife motif is one of the illustration of Christ's role to us, believers. To the extent that you seek to undermine the husband's headship role, you are (at least implicitly) undermining its analogy. If you think it bad for the husband to rule over the wife, you are questioning the model of Christ's headship over the church. I doubt many of these egalitarian Christians would actually seek to dethrone Jesus from his rightful headship, but they do not realize that their opposition to Biblical patriarchy accomplishes that end, not only be opposing the explicit teaching of Scripture, but by demolishing the image of our relationship to our Groom, the Lord Jesus Christ.

-TurretinFan

3 comments:

Scott M. Head said...

I'm speechless that one would seek God's grace to avoid God's wisdom.

Thanks for posting this response to Mr. Burelson's post, his comment thread is all over the map, both encouraging and dismally sad.

Anonymous said...

I will go to the link and read it. I have not as yet done so. I did read your words and have to point to the proposition passed in the State of California opposing "same" sex marriage.

What the media is not reporting to any clarity is the fact that ordinary, non-church attending people in the state voted to oppose same sex marriage. This article and your words simply underscore the fact that "husbandry" is an act of God's Will and is a natural part of the bag of tricks or tools in the shed of the "laws" of nature.

You cannot fool mother nature or disrupt the order and go without reaping the error of your ways.

It seems it is as Daniel said:

Dan 7:24 As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings shall arise, and another shall arise after them; he shall be different from the former ones, and shall put down three kings.
Dan 7:25 He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and shall think to change the times and the law; and they shall be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time.
Dan 7:26 But the court shall sit in judgment, and his dominion shall be taken away, to be consumed and destroyed to the end.

Whoever this spirit is, this demon, his intent is prophesied already to Daniel to "change" natural law. I am glad and take comfort and gain insight and "hope" in verse 26 above. Let the reader be careful to rest in Peace and not be fooled by this scheme of the devils being put out into the minds and hearts of humans, young and old.

Natural order was created by God well before this present heavens and earth. God's "order" is Holy, Righteous and Good. I believe what is being played out now in these days is Satan's best chance to "deceive" all the while being deceived by Truth Himself through the Saints in every nation under heaven.

The "deposit" has been made. Christ is risen.

Paul the Apostle and Peter, so affirm it and I shall stand praying in it lifting it up as that spiritual sacrifice as a Holy Priest of the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, my Head, for God's Chosen Elect, Holy and Blameless, predestined and foreordained before Him, now, [and] forever and ever and ever, amen:::>

Eph 1:15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints,
Eph 1:16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers,
Eph 1:17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him,
Eph 1:18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,
Eph 1:19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might
Eph 1:20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,
Eph 1:21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
Eph 1:22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church,
Eph 1:23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

and:::>


1Pe 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Anonymous said...

Well that was an interesting read and I quite agree with Mr. Head:

"....both encouraging and [dismally sad]...." emphasis mine.

What it seems to me, on reflection, is the "god" of this world has deluded "Wade" with a counter perspective on Truth.

Here's a quote that seems to me to be an accurate understanding of what is in play with the article against "patriarchy":::>

"So skilled is error at imitating truth that the two are constantly being mistaken for each other. It is therefore critically important that the Christian take full advantage of every provision God has made to save him from delusion - prayer, faith, constant meditation of the Scriptures, obedience, humility and the illumination of the Holy Spirit" - A.W. Tozer

Thanks again TF for such a timely alert to the thing gone astray!