Pot Roast and other pertinent things...

I really enjoyed class tonight, especially the story about the girl and her dad having the same conversation every year about gender roles. We've spent two weeks talking about our lenses, what we bring to the class, our presumptions and opinions, what life was intended to be, what God thinks and on and on. We've done a thorough, albeit quick, study but tonight I felt like what we were discussing came alive in the little anecdote.

I think I've been resistant to discussions or opinions in class because I didn't feel like the way gender roles were intended would affect how I relate to God. But as I listened to discussion unfold tonight and especially the story, the discussions from the past two weeks connect to who I am and they matter. I haven't figured quite how and when they matter, but they do. They matter because I need to have conversations like that girl did with her dad. And they matter because if Satan attacked relationships first because they are the most important thing, then it is important. I need to know where my personal relationship with a sovereign God and many broken people fits into the bigger picture.

Why do we cringe?

This week in class we talked about several different degrees of feminism and where each falls on the scale from anti-feminism to radical feminism. This movement seems to make people cringe no matter where they fall on the scale. I asked myself why this topic has the ability to ignite a fire in almost everyone. First of all, the history surrounding this topic is monumental. Numerous milestones have been met since the movement began, and society has come a long way. For social change to take place, mass amounts of people have to devote themselves wholeheartedly to the cause. I think this has something to do with why people tend towards extremity when discussing feminism. I have also noticed that there does not seem to be a middle ground in the Christian community. You either hold to the tradition view that women have a specific role separate from a man’s role or you hold the opinion that women can do anything that men can do. According to the traditional view, men can hold certain positions in the church that would be unacceptable for women. On the other end of the spectrum Christian feminists would say there is no reason a woman could not be the head pastor of a church or hold a position as a deacon or an Elder. In reference to what we discussed in Genesis 1 and 2 I believe a small consensus can be met. Sarah talked about how male dominion was a result of the fall and how before sin entered the world the humans God created were considered to be “adam” meaning “out of dust.” It was not until after the fall that Adam formally named the woman Eve. This signified the transition from a relationship based on equal ground to one in which man would rule over woman. Since then, society has been working to change this dynamic. I think as Christians we can all agree on this account. I do however think we can apply it differently. For example, I think woman and men can be completely equal and posses differing roles. I do not believe that the dynamic of the man being the “leader” in the relationship is necessarily a result of the fall. It could just as easily be how God intended it to be.

different eyes see different views

This week in class we talked again about how the Bible can be interpreteted differently by each person who reads it. Every time we read the scriptures there is an interpretation of what we are reading. Each translation of the Bible has pros and cons that should be weighed in based on the situation. Although the Bible was divinely inspired there is an element of humanism within it, because we are not all fluent in greek or hebrew we need people to translate the scripture into our language so we can understand. Each time the Bible is translated the group working on it chooses how to organize it and what form of words to use based on the type of translation they are working on; ranging from literal to the paraphrased versions. All this to say that, yes, there are many different translations of the scriptures but it doesn't matter if it is the NIV, TNIV, NRSV, or The Message if you are open to hearing from the Holy Spirit He will speak to you through whatever translation you are reading. The scriptures are alive in that each time you read them you will glean new understanding or see something in a new light that you have read ten times prior. This is what I love about our God, He can take something you have read many times over and use it to continually teach you something new and show it to you in a way you have never seen it before. Now matter what the situation in your life that you are going through God can reach you where you are with His word.

Overall, I was once again challenged to ponder what the foundation of my beliefs are and why I believe the way I do. I appreciate the challenge presented from this class and enjoy the discussions we have in class and that no matter our own personal opinions we will all grow together this semester and learn more about our foundational beliefs.

Here are some thoughts after class:

We have creation. A time where God thought, felt, and wanted to have a relationship with this new thing God just made, which are now called humans. I don't know how to explain it, which is the amazing part, but God already has a perfect relationship within the Trinity, God wasn't lonely, yet God still created us. Maybe Jesus cooked up something for dinner one night and the Holy Spirit didn't like it, so God gave a new creation a shot (insert laugh). Whatever the reason, we are here to have relationships with ourselves, others, creation, and our creator.

Somewhere along the lines people decided to put others into boxes. Probably cause we as humans generally like organization (I saw generally because some don't, look at my roommate) so organizing ourselves seems like a good idea. Fast forward a bunch of thousand years and now humans are placed in a ba-gillion boxes, yes I just counted to a ba-gillion. I do it everyday. Job selection, house chores with my roommates, normal class participation, etc. all involve boxing people in most of the time. He isn't a leader, he doesn't know how to clean, she is the quiet one. Men lead, Women follow. Who says these? Our boxes.

Isn't it amazing the vocabulary of Genesis when it comes to human creation. Ezer. This word that is used to describe God and a woman. It's an adjective and a verb. I remember as a child I loved to see my father come home. I would run over to him as he stepped in the front door and lung for his feet. He wore these big, brown, size 13 work boots that smelled like tires. On those boots I would sit and cling on my one of my father's legs. I knew that if I sat on his boot and clung on his leg, I couldn't lose him. I needed to be with him, he was my father and I was a 5 year old boy, dreaming to be him. In that time my dad was my Ezer. He was this helper in my life that no one else could fulfill (partly cause my mother wears size 6 woman's shoe and that's just way to small). That's how I picture God as humanity's Ezer. That's how I picture woman as man's Ezer.

A lot of my life I had this picture in my head of a man crossing a raging river with a woman in his arms, safely bringing her to land. I imagined this as a symbol for my marriage, me fulfilling my wife, saving her. As I grew up, I imagined that picture and eventually felt lonely, tired, and worn out. I also started to image that girl that was being held couldn't have been enjoying her life, being carried around her whole life. Wouldn't she want to stand on her own two feet?

I like to now imagine this picture: It's a kids drawing, I never like to take myself to serious, done with crayons. A woman and a man stick figures are drawn with a black crayon with their faces colored with read. They are both lunging towards each other with their arms clinging around each other. They are both happy in every way. There is even some grey crayon sparkling around them, you know, like little kids to do make things more special. They are standing on a little patch of green grass, fully in love. The two of them are looking up, because above them is this greyish/blueish glob with some extending glob-ness that encircles the black crayoned couple. As the glob is looking down on the two of them, you can sense this awkwardly ticklish love that doesn't make sense. Crayon's can't explain how it feels, but it doesn't feel judged, unequaled, boxed in, organized, defined, or comfortable. It's an excitement of the stomach, a fluttering of the heart.

Sorry if you read all of this. I stopped thinking.

THEM

We talked last class about the creation story, or Genesis ch. 1-2. In Genesis 1:27-28 (TNIV), I found something interesting (though we didn't really discuss it in class):

"So God created human beings in His own image, in the image of God He created THEM; male AND female He created THEM."

I bold captioned these for a reason. There is no He created Men in His image, same for her. It says THEM, both male AND female. I think, though this might be my personal lense, I see this connection; them is an equalizer because it say them. Does that make sense? Let me know if it doesn't.

Another thing I wish to discuss is 1 Corinthians 11:8-9, 11-12 it reminds me of the quote I posted in my last one! I also want to point out it says women are not independent of men, and men are not independent. Adam or Ish needed Eve or Ishsha just as much as he needed her. Before the fall he sensed a similarity, and called her his "Flesh among flesh". As we talked about in class.

I don't know much else to say, but I agree and got my eyes opened again. I look forward to what Sarah has to say about the fall and the fall of possible equality!

questions...

We spent a lot of time this evening debunking incorrect views about male authority over women as it applies to Genesis 1 and 2. We went through the 4 commonly used arguments for male authority and decided why they are incorrect. I thought the teaching was great. Perhaps I am jumping the gun a little bit here, but I have to wonder at the application for what we discussed - we only touched on it in class.

Does the fact that men are not "given" authority over women in the first two chapters of the bible mean that they should play completely equal roles in relationships and marriages? Can we differentiate between men and women being equal in the sense that together, they bear God's image and men being given specific relational responsibilities ( a sort of male "headship")? AND, at what point does the fact that men and women are spiritually equal define their roles in relationships, government, and church?

I guess my point is this: class was great, but I'm looking forward to a little bit of follow-up discussion and Genesis 3 next week!

you think He thinks

I am so excited to spend a semester in the class. During our first two hours together, I already heard many things expressed in ways I'd never been previously exposed to. One thing that particularly struck me was Sarah's explanation of orthodoxy and orthopraxy. I've been exposed to them countless times before. Orthodoxy = right thinking, orthopraxy = right practice. But I have never heard it so simply and concisely explained. Sarah said, "So, figuring out what you think God thinks about humanity is very important."

There are some issues where I know what I think God thinks, but the role of women isn't one of them. Of course, I have an opinion. Who doesn't? But until I know why I think I know what God thinks about the role of women, I'm not willing to own that opinion. Hence, my excitement for this semester. I hope that through the course of this class I can develop my personal theology of women and the bible - to figure out what I think God thinks.

Interpretations

First of all, let me just start with how excited I am to be a part of this class. I am interested to see what the different perspectives are that each individual brings to the discussion. Many times we just believe something because we always have, that's what our parents say, or because that's just how it is. But this class will challenge all of our current beliefs and push us forward to having knowledge of why we believe the way we do. It is encouraged that everyone decide for themselves what is right for them, but in this class we will be introduced to new perspectives and ideas that we will need to take into consideration when deciding what we believe.

In class last week we talked about context and the way we read the Bible. Each time someone reads scripture they are interpreting as they read. Every person can come away with a different message from the same exact passage. Everyone is entitled to their own interpretation but it is very important not to take things out of context of what is actually being said by the author. Many times people quote scripture to help prove a point, but it means nothing if you are taking the words out of context. Quoting something can be of great help but it can also erase all your credibility if you use it in the wrong way. Overall, the bible is only a tool that helps a understand God and His relationship to us. We should self-evaluate each time we read the scripture and make sure we are using it for the right reasons, are you using it as a tool to know God better or are you twisting it to help your view of thinking? So next time you read anything be aware of the lenses you are reading with, make sure that you are not pulling things out of context to prove a point, use it in the way that God intended it to be used in; as a tool.

Girls on their knees

*Disclaimer: These are my opinions. I realize your opinion might differ!!!!


Well for me, I was struck most by a section Sarah read us in class. I don't remember the book it was from, but it was the mom who was at the store her daughter was working at. As the daughter was kneeling on the ground, the mom heard two men nearby say something like, "That's where women belong, on their knees." It makes me sick. I cannot believe men STILL think that. I have seen many great women do some of the same things great men did. I have a formspring account, and someone commented on a question my friend answered, saying it was a girl's "job" to be sensitive. I am angry and laugh at this at the same time. I've seen sensitive guys before. And they to me are attractive, because they actually want to treat women right. I feel (but this is a girl's perspective), that a true man is one who loves his girl like God does (As humanly possible, they are not God!!!)

There's a saying that men want respect and women want love. I think, and I'm sure the scriptures say something on this too, that it's true. But we can do those without men looking down at women. I am learning more and more also that society can be rough on men too, they have to be respected or they aren't men. And calling them gay DOES ACTUALLY hurt some guys feelings, even if it's a joke between men. The problem is we think we know where the opposite sex belongs, men strong and standing over the women, while women bow to their whims, but both sides have desires, not just men, for respect. I know personally I want to be respected as a woman, properly.

In one of the videos, one guy talked about us woman's job as lifting our men up. While that's admirable, our job is to love the men in our lives, and yes encourage them, but not be on our knees. In my family, my mom is the boss. She's the glue that holds our family together. And guess what? She's a women. True men are those who cherish the women in their lives, and treat them as God would.

There is a quote,

"Woman was created from the rib of man.
She was not made from his head to be above him,
nor was she made from his feet to be trampled on.
She was created out of his side to *equal* him,
under his arm to be protected by him
and near his heart to be loved"

So ladies, I ask you, if you are on your knees, do it for prayer. You are beautiful. Yes you need to respect your future/current husbands and love them like God does, but that doesn't mean you need to grovel. I pray you find someone who loves, cherish and respects YOU, a precious woman of God.

Men, I implore you to treat your woman with respect, and love her like the Holy Father does.

God bless!

Lenses

After hearing about what was discussed in class and reading over notes, the idea that stood out to me was the many different lenses we use to read the Bible. I recently made a commitment to read through the Bible in a year. After getting through Genesis I had questions. Why did Abraham and Isaac both tell people that their wives were their sisters? And why after lying did God threaten the people who were lied to? They were not aware that there was potential to greatly sin against God. How, when Lot was in the cave with his daughters were they able to get him drunk enough to do something like that? And how did it happen two nights in a row? Why was it “ok” for Jacob to steal Esau’s blessing in God’s eyes when it required deceiving his father? And why was it ok for men to have so many wives?

I asked my dad what he thought about my questions and his answer related to the lenses we use to read the Bible. I was reading Genesis with my modern day perspective and applying it to the cultural norms of this time. He reminded me that in Genesis there were different expectations, norms, and ways of living that when observed through my modern day lens would seem unjust and ridiculous. God does things His way for a reason. My goal should be to find the appropriate lens so I can understand Genesis and the rest of the Bible in context.