billd@bolton.UUCP (Bill Duffy) (08/15/84)
Although I agree fully with the Scriptures references
to God in the male form. (Netnews soon to come on that sub-
ject). I must disagree with todays connotations of what is
really "male". Let me explain by comparing some scriptures.
Today men (and women) display the fruits of the flesh
as described in the following verses. Some of these are par-
ticularly associated with the "male superiority" of which
the netlander complained.
"... fornication, uncleaness, loose conduct, idola-
try, practice of spiritism, enmities, strife,
jealousy, fits of anger, contentions, divisions,
sects, envies, drunken bouts, revelries and things
like these."
Gal. 5:19-21
"... lovers of themselves, lovers of money, self-
assuming, haughty, blasphemers, disobedient to
parents, unthankful, disloyal, having no natural af-
fection, not open to any agreement, slanders,
without self-control, fierce, without love of good-
ness, betrayers, head-strong, puffed up [with
pride], lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of
God, having a form of godly devotion but proving
false to its power;"
2 Tim. 3:2-5
Instead of the "fruits of the flesh", each person who
*claims* to be "christian" should display the "fruits of the
spirit" as described by the following:
"On the other hand, the fruitage of the spirit is
love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, good-
ness, faith, mildness, self-control."
Gal. 5:22,23
"If we are living by spirit, let us go on walking
orderly also by spirit. Let us not become egotisti-
cal, stirring up competition with one another, envy-
ing one another."
Gal. 5:25,26
Again, do the following scriptures support the current
"macho" exhibited by men towards their wives and families?
"Husbands, continue loving your wives, just as the
Christ also loved the congregation and delivered up
himself for it,"
Eph. 5:25
"In this way husbands ought to be loving their
wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife
loves himself, for no man ever hated his own flesh;
but he feeds and cherishes it, as the Christ also
does the congregation,"
Eph. 5:28,29
"Nevertheless, also, let each one of you so love his
wife as he does himself; on the other hand, the wife
should have deep respect for her husband."
Eph. 5:33
"You husbands, keep on loving your wives and do not
be bitterly angry with them."
Col. 3:19
"Whatever you are doing, work at it whole-souled as
to Jehovah, and not to men, for you know that it is
from Jehovah you will receive the due reward of the
inheritance. Slave for the Master, Christ. Certainly
the one that is doing wrong will receive back what
he wrongly did, and there is no partiality."
Col. 3:23-25
"That statement is faithful.
If any man is reaching out for office of overseer,
he is desirous of a fine work. The overseer should
therefore be irreprehensible, a husband of one wife,
moderate in habits, sound in mind, orderly, hospit-
able, qualified to teach, not a drunken brawler, not
a smiter, but reasonable, not belligerent, not a
lover of money, a man presiding over his own house-
hold in a fine manner, having children in subjection
with all seriousness; (if indeed any man does not
know how to preside over his own household, how will
he take care of God's congregation?) not a newly
converted man, for fear that he might get puffed up
[with pride] and fall into the judgment passed upon
the Devil. Moreover, he should also have a fine tes-
timony from people on the outside, in order that he
might not fall into reproach and a snare of the De-
vil.
Ministerial servants should likewise be serious,
not double-tonged, not giving themselves to a lot of
wine, not greedy of dishonest gain, holding the sa-
cred secret of the faith with a clean conscience."
1 Tim. 3:1-9
"Let ministerial servants be husbands of one wife,
presiding in a fine manner over children and their
own households. For the men who minister in a fine
manner are acquiring for themselves a fine standing
and great freeness of speech in the faith in connec-
tion with Christ Jesus."
1 Tim. 3:12,13
I hope that this information may be useful to help
explain that when God established the family arrangement, He
did not intend that the male have dominance, but headship
(there is a difference). Satan the devil is the one that is
responsible for the corruption of this loving relationship
that today causes many women to groan.
"May the Lord of peace Himself give you peace con-
stantly in every way, the Lord be with all of you."
2 Thes. 3:16
Bill Duffy
GenRad
genrad!!billd
All biblical quotations are taken from the "New World Trans-
lation of the Holy Scriptures". The opinions expressed are
purely my own and do not necessarily reflect those of my
employer.cmm@pixadv.UUCP (cmm) (08/18/84)
> I hope that this information may be useful to help > explain that when God established the family arrangement, He > did not intend that the male have dominance, but headship > (there is a difference). Satan the devil is the one that is > responsible for the corruption of this loving relationship > that today causes many women to groan. > > Bill Duffy > GenRad > genrad!!billd I would appreciate your view of the difference between sex determined "dominance", and a religional mandated, sex determined, unquestionable "headship". I contend that any sex specific role pattern is intrinsically unfair and discriminatory. If a woman is not considered "worthy" of "heading" the family, then how can she possible be considered appropriate to head a company, or dictate the kind of medical care required by a patient, or pilot a ship, or to fill any leadership position? Once you have established *ANY* sex difference, then the rationalizations come from the powerful parties -- men -- to extend the rationalizations, and "protect" women as non-persons. Any religion that mandates a subordinate position for anyone based on their sex, or even their beliefs, is a religion that I can not partake in. I want to live in a world where my companion/lover is just as strong as I am. I want my daughters to have as much chance for personal life as I have. I want to live in a world of people. Not MEN, not WOMEN, not CHRISTIANs, not JEWs, not HINDUs -- but a world of people accepting each other as equals, and treating each other fairly. (If this belongs in another newsgroup (like net.flame), I am sorry.) -- ____________________________________________________________________________ cmm (carl m mikkelsen) | (617)657-8720x2310 Pixel Computer Incorporated | 260 Fordham Road | {allegra|ihnp4|cbosgd|ima|genrad|amd|harvard}\ Wilmington, Ma. 01887 | !wjh12!pixel!pixadv!cmm