Are you serious? Genesis says that God created us male and female. How can you say that "in Christ Jesus" there is no male or female when He created us that way?
How can I say that? Well, let's see...
26You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3)
If that were the case, He would've just made us all the same. Yes, we were created in God's image, but that doesn't mean that we're not different. In that case, we might as well throw race, culture, and ethnicity out the door too.
You misunderstand both me and Scripture. It does not mean that we are all the same, it means that we are all equal.
Furthermore, I'm glad you brought up the race issue. If someone were to say that all races and ethnicities are equal but different - as we can obviously see by the physical differences between us - most people would say "yes, certainly." But the moment you take that further and proclaim that those differences mean one race should rule over another, you've become a racist.
The same is true for this topic of gender differences. Recognizing differences is just fine. It's only when you use those differences as justification for sexist behavior that it becomes a problem. Men and women are different. But that does not necessitate that men always be the leaders and women always be subjugated.
By not giving the whole counsel of G-d on the subject, you are adding confusion to an already difficult situation. Why do you prefer to hide the other aspects of His wisdom on the matter? Surely that can't help our OP.
Well, I think I'm actually the one adding the "whole" counsel of God on this subject. Where others tend to ignore the fact that God's word puts men and women on equal spiritual footing, I like to point out the rest of Scripture.
For example, Ephesians 5:21 "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ." This is a directive to all believers, male and female. IOW, men are clearly instructed to submit to women (and women to men).
Sorry to burst your bubble, but the Bible does say that man is head of his wife, as Christ is head of the Church.
I know that it says that. What that means, however, is a subject of much debate. I am convinced that the word which we translate "head" in that passage (
kephale) does NOT mean leader, boss or superior. It means "source, origin" (as in the head of the river). If Paul had wanted to teach that men were the boss of women, he wouldn't have use the word
kephale, he would have used the word
archon.
I know also what that passage doesn't say. It does not say "women are supposed to be led by men" (as was earlier claimed by the OP).
I believe that if you would stop for a moment and consider this, you would see your mistake. It's glaringly obvious.
A husband being the head of his wife does not translate to "all women need to be led by a man."
Nor does it translate to "the pastor is the head of all single women." That misinterpretation of Scripture is stretching it way past the plain meaning, reading into the text and pretty much abusing the Word of God.
There is no way you can misinterpret that, because Christ will always be head of his Church.
You have demonstrated a way to misinterpret that, as I have pointed out above.
In the first place, the statement in Scripture is a statement, not a command. If you've read all of the writings of Paul, you'll know how opposed to laws he was. The idea that Paul was setting down a law for gender roles is antithetical to the rest of his teachings. Either he contradicted himself in this area or we are not understanding him. I conclude the latter. I believe that something got lost in translation and a lot of cultural bias and baggage got added down through the years.
I'm sorry you have such a problem with all the MANY Scriptures that talk about a husband's authority over his family, and a wife's submission, but it is in the Word, and there is simply no getting around it. To say that it is a sexist misinterpretation is just plain heresy.
I do not have a problem with Scripture. I have a problem with those who twist and misinterpret it for their own agenda.
I also have a problem with lazy people who refuse to think for themselves. I'm sorry to be so blunt, but it's the truth. And truth be told, I don't think you're lazy so much as you are afraid of questioning what you've been taught.
Hear me on this, fear is not from God! If you are afraid to question and examine what your "pastor" is teaching you, then you need to ask yourself why. (Directed at the OP, here).
In Jesus Christ there is neither male nor female, slave nor free, Jew nor Gentile... Meaning the obvious... He doesn't love anybody more than anybody else.
It means more than that. It means that God doesn't favor any one class of people over another. The contrast in that passage was between those under the Law and those not under the Law. Paul was declaring that all of us, men AND women, are sons and heirs of God. We are on equal spiritual footing. Men are not spiritually more able than women. Men are not less likely to be deceived.
To use that Scripture as a way of justifying a Cafeteria Christianity mentality (I'll believe in this, this, ooo, not this, this, no, not this) is just stupid. I would highly suggest getting your theology straightened out and learning how to read the Bible correctly.
Insulting me won't change the truth. (And the fact of the matter is that I'm much more advanced in theological study and understanding than you are. I am not a babe needing milk. I am not boasting, but it is the simple truth). I know Whom I believe and in Whom I place my trust and I am not afraid of your accusations. I'm not afraid of hellfire for being wrong, if I am wrong. Nor will your attacks and accusations bolster your position. On the contrary, such childish statements as these reveal the weakness in your position. You have no idea why you believe what you do. You are merely repeating what you've been told. You are not convinced in your heart of hearts that it is truth and you are therefore afraid of contradiction. I know the feeling. I've been there before.
I urge you to stop taking your "pastor's" word for it. You are the one who will ultimately be responsible for what you believe and what doctrines you cling to. You and you alone have the obligation to search the Scriptures yourself to see if what I say is true.
Have the courage to question!
I know it may not seem like it, because I vehemently oppose what I am convinced is false doctrine, but I really do care that you are being led astray.
There is no mediator between you and God but Christ alone. If anyone comes to you and tries to convince you that you need him or anyone else to be in between you and God, that person is WRONG.
ETA: Sorry, I lost track of who I was responding to. Some of that was directed more at JC than Sunset. Apologize for any confusion.
). I was a church pianist for 7 years during my time as an adult in christianity...
Be careful Sister.
