8.1. The Problem So far, our scenarios have assumed a reasonably positive family situation. We have considered to some extent the husband’s responsibility when his wife is unwilling to submit to his leadership in decision making, but what happens when the context turns more sinister?
Category: ethics
Marriage at work (8) Decision making
How do we couples make decisions in the light of Ephesians 5:21-33? If wives submit to their husbands, does that mean that, as the head, he is responsible for all decision making? Must she give in to him when there is an argument?
Marriage at work (7) Wives and work
In this chapter, I will argue that not only does Ephesians 5:22 allow wives to work, but they may also take the role of lead wage earner. I am arguing on the basis that our exegesis has demonstrated that whilst “headship” and “submission” are transcultural requirements, their expression is culturally contextualised, so that:
Marriage at work (6) “This is a mystery
We now come to the climax of the instruction to husbands and wives. These verses hold the whole instruction together and show how Christ’s relationship to the church is the basis for the marriage relationship. As we noted earlier, Paul has been building up to this point by introducing body and flesh language in v29-30.[1]
Marriage at work (5) “husbands love”
The instruction to husbands could be seen as the key, radical point within Paul’s instructions.[1] Paul devotes more space to this instruction than to the other aspects of the Household Codes[2] and the command to love supplies a surprising twist.
Marriage at work (4) “Wives submit”
3.1. Two Views We now get into the body of Paul’s instruction to wives and husbands. So what does he mean by “wives submit” and why does he require it? As we have seen already, Egalitarians treat any requirement for wives to be subordinate and husbands to lead as a temporary cultural requirement.
COVID-19 and the ethics of mask wearing
Regular readers of Faithroot.com will have seen my occasional risk assessment and advice posts concerning COVID-19. In summary, my position through the summer has been that churches should seek to move cautiously towards full re-opening. In the short term this would mean Continuing to allow additional capacity to provide extra space for people to meet… Continue reading COVID-19 and the ethics of mask wearing
COVID – update and thoughts as we look towards autumn and winter
As we move towards September and out of the summer holidays, we want to start looking forward and thinking about the implications of what comes next in terms of COVID. The other day I mentioned that the UK figures were being confused a little by what we are seeing in England and what we are… Continue reading COVID – update and thoughts as we look towards autumn and winter
Marriage at work (3) Submit to one another”
Our understanding of Paul’s instructions to husbands and wives will be influenced by how we understand the phrase hupotessomenoi allelloi Here we have two apparently strong concepts.
Marriage at Work (2) A conversation in context
It may seem obvious to suggest that we should start with context, but despite our best evangelical intentions, there are two temptations which can distract us from this. We might describe them as the temptation to play “Proof Text Trumps” and the temptation to treat all the Household Codes the same.
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