Bible, theology, culture, etc.
In these articles I have been arguing that husband's authority in the home is limited by the kind of authority he possesses (counsel, not command) and by the purpose of the authority (to love his wife like Christ does the Church.) But how is a wife to discern when her husband is using his authority … Continue reading Headship, Submission, and Abuse (Pt. 3)
What is authority for? Our culture has become hyper-aware to how the locomotive of authority can run off the tracks, creating the train-wreck of abuse. From police officers using unnecessary force, to CEO's exploiting employees, to spiritual leaders taking advantage of members, we hear story after story of individuals in positions of authority who abuse … Continue reading Headship, Submission, and Abuse (Pt. 2)
While in seminary a professor of mine was teaching on the nature of authority and submission as it related to church members and pastors. He opened the discussion by reading passages about children's submission to their parents and then asking if a child was responsible to submit to their parents. Yes, we all agreed. He … Continue reading Headship, Submission, and Abuse (Pt. 1)
Previously I discussed the distinction between creational norms and cultural norms in regards to gender. There are some things we can do or embrace in our particular culture that accord with God's intention for manhood or womanhood, and others that contradict it. In 1 Cor. 11:2-16 we saw that men should not adorn themselves or … Continue reading Boy-Stuff, Girl-Stuff: Four Questions
In a sermon I recently preached on the innateness of gender and its connection with our physical bodies, I referenced 1 Cor 11:14-15: "Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him, but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair … Continue reading Nature and Gender: 1 Cor. 11:2-16
One doesn't need to be an expert in cultural analysis to recognize that there is a growing hostility towards any notion of traditional gender roles in society. The recent centralization on stories of abuse and oppression have made all of us highly sensitized to stories of individuals (and groups) with power who have used their … Continue reading Gender Roles Aren’t Just True, but Good
What does the Bible say about domestic violence? While men are also victims of domestic violence (see statistics here), I want to look primarily at the circumstances of women as victims of domestic violence, since this is far more common and also (as I will detail below) this is what the Bible warns of most … Continue reading Domestic Violence and the Bible
I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. - 1 Tim 2:15 Act like men, be strong. - 1 Cor 16:13 What does it mean to be a "man"? What does it mean to be a "woman"? When thinking about our culture's … Continue reading Review: Men and Women in the Church
You can listen to the audio of this sermon from 6/12/16 titled "Marriage" here. As we jump into the sermon today, let me begin with a few introductory words. First off, this passage we are looking at it probably deserves to have a couple months of sermons dedicated to it, and I don’t have that. … Continue reading God’s Family: Marriage
Marc Sims 