October 30, 2015
Equality
My friend is a
self-proclaimed Christian Feminist who considers herself de-churched because of
what she sees as inequality in the church between men and women. With rapid fire
justifications she defended her position and I couldn’t tell if she wanted
endorsement, acceptance or debate. I give credit to the Spirit to help me jump
over the worldly controversy and look beyond positions on earth. When our focus
is on the end game of salvation and eternal life, there is no inequality. “For
God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes
in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 NIV).
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1 comment:
Gail;
-----There is no inequality in salvation and eternal life? Jews, Gentiles, men, and women all have equal access to eternal life. God constrains no class differently than any other. I.e., after Peter’s sermon on the Day of Pentecost, when the crowd asked what they must do to be saved, Peter didn’t say, “Jewish men, repent and be baptized. Gentile men, become Jews, then repent and be baptized. Jewish women, hope your husband is sincere. Gentile women, become Jews, then hope your husband is sincere.” Not at all! He said simply, “Repent and be baptized.” Likewise, the author of Hebrews did not give various instructions for drawing near to God. He said whoever would draw near to God must do it confidently. These are processes to which all have equal access.
-----Equality is in access to process. We, who equally come to the processes, are all different, not equal. We each have skills differing in types and amounts, knowledge differing in types and amounts, different temperaments, drives, interests, and yes, levels of obedience and humility. I Corinthians 12 points out the equality of welcome, acceptance, and belonging of every member, but that each member is different in function, abilities, and service through gifts. Even God distinguishes between Jews and Gentiles: “He declares His word to Jacob, His statutes and ordinances to Israel. He has not dealt thus with any other nation; they do not know His ordinances.” The gospel is equally open to all, yet Jews will continue being special stewards at least for another thousand years. I.e., “And he who is left in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be called holy, every one who has been recorded for life in Jerusalem…Then the LORD will create over the whole site…a cloud by day, and smoke and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for over all the glory there will be a canopy and a pavilion…for a shade by day from the heat, and for a refuge and a shelter from the storm and rain.” (Is 4:3-6) That’s not very equal. Hey! No fair!
-----So also God has made distinguishing characteristics between men and women and given them different functions. Physical characteristics are quite obvious, and are the cause of some differences in abilities. Some internal, physical traits cause slight differences in mood and attitude. Feminists want to deny such, but the science of psychology continues admitting subtle differences. God’s Word does not even try to sweep them under the rug. It lays them out in plain sight and expects proper regard be shown to them, “If any one thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that what I am writing to you is a command of the Lord. If any one does not recognize this, he is not recognized,” Paul directed after writing, “…the women should keep silence in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be subordinate, as even the law says.” (I Cor 14:37-38, and 34a)
-----If the Word of God is not authoritative, then what is? Liberal elitists want to squeeze others into categories where individuality is denied for each to become just another mutton face in a flock of generalities. Then they elevate some categories above others. The Bible indicates individuality for each soul, “To him who conquers I will give…a white stone, with a new name written on the stone which no one knows except him who receives it,” (Rev 2:17b) “If the work which any man has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss.” (I Cor 3:14-5a)
-----Note that liberals scream for equality of reward, but never equality of burden. The Bible’s issue with equality is not between rewards or burdens, but that each person’s reward is equal to the rightness of his own work.
Love you all,
Steve Corey
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