tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578595981424253854.post5119352974856150504..comments2023-09-19T04:44:58.904-07:00Comments on Musings from a Theo-Geek: In Defense of Complementarianism...(Submitting to Your Husband, and Fun Things Like That)Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15411152395819469453noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578595981424253854.post-43977952378313166872009-08-22T18:44:59.669-07:002009-08-22T18:44:59.669-07:00I found the book because of a link a couple years ...I found the book because of a link a couple years back, which mentioned a short version of the subject matter in Christianity Astray magazine. The article by the same author as the book was very good so I bought the book just in time to deal with a young woman who was indeed seeking divorce from an emotionally abusive man (she would never say, but evidence tells me and my wife that she was most likely physically abused also). I would say the emotional abuse falls in the same catagory as abandonment or neglect. <br /><br />Really, get that book. I think the author demonstrates some good biblical evidence for divorce for neglect, abandonment and abuse in addition to sexual immorality.Glenn E. Chatfieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04117405535707961903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578595981424253854.post-82811780128239663712009-08-22T18:19:38.165-07:002009-08-22T18:19:38.165-07:00Thanks Glenn,
I have not heard of that book, but ...Thanks Glenn,<br /><br />I have not heard of that book, but it sounds excellent. Now, hypothetically speaking, have you ever come across (in this book or elsewhere) any resources that specifically address the issue of severe emotional abuse, from a biblical perspective? IMO. emotional abuse can be even more damaging than physical, but it would be extremely hard to prove biblical grounds for divorce on the grounds of emotional abuse alone. <br /><br />If the abuser were a non-Christian, wouldn't 1 Corinthians 7:15 come into play?Mariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15411152395819469453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578595981424253854.post-57449619436598710332009-08-22T17:54:27.740-07:002009-08-22T17:54:27.740-07:00There is an excellent book by David Instone-Brewer...There is an excellent book by David Instone-Brewer titled, "Divorce and Remarriage in the Church." In this book he gives the biblical basis for divorce based on adultery, abandonment and neglect. He gives Talmudic evidence how the Jews interpreted the divorce laws in the O.T., and Ex. 21:10-11 is part of it, on which Paul based his argument in 1 Cor.7:32-34. Abuse is considered to fall under neglect. I highly recommend this book for anyone considering counseling marital counseling.Glenn E. Chatfieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04117405535707961903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578595981424253854.post-48980488547730891552009-08-22T17:36:19.115-07:002009-08-22T17:36:19.115-07:00". . . what Peter calls "the weaker sex&...". . . what Peter calls "the weaker sex". Obviously, Peter was referring to physical strength and stature; not moral or intellectual."<br /><br />Agreed. One pastor pointed out that it says women are the weaker sex, not the weak sex (i.e., God isn't intimidated by the strength of either sex).<br /><br />Sadly, too many pastors have sent women back to abusive relationships. What idiocy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578595981424253854.post-551964463173340342009-08-22T15:02:53.344-07:002009-08-22T15:02:53.344-07:00Thanks Neil!
Nope, I can't point to one spec...Thanks Neil! <br /><br />Nope, I can't point to one specific verse that says it's okay to leave your husband because he's (physically) abusing you, but rather I would look at the overall tone of Scripture, taking it as a whole (that and common sense). <br /><br />Both the Old and the New Testament describe God as a protector of the defenseless and a defender of the innocent. Given the social justice perspective of Exodus 21, which lays out some pretty heavy penalties for physical attacks, I would say that in no circumstances does God tolerate violence - especially towards what Peter calls "the weaker sex". Obviously, Peter was referring to physical strength and stature; not moral or intellectual. <br /><br />The other two caveats are pretty easy to back up biblically - Jesus was unambiguous about the adultery clause in Matthew 5:32 and 19:9. Paul alludes to abandonment in 1 Cor. 7:15. However, any pastor worth his salt would never counsel a woman to stay in a physically abusive relationship - this is such a clear violation of Scriptural authority that Church discipline should be employed.Mariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15411152395819469453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578595981424253854.post-54047201395565205102009-08-22T14:12:47.258-07:002009-08-22T14:12:47.258-07:00Terrific responses, Marie! I'll be linking to...Terrific responses, Marie! I'll be linking to this one.<br /><br />"Biblical grounds for divorce = abuse, abandonment, or adultery."<br /><br />What verses would you point to re. abuse being grounds for divorce? I don't disagree, but always like to have something specific to reference. (I think abuse is far too tolerated even today. If you hit your neighbor or co-worker, you go to jail. But if you hit your wife you don't?!)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578595981424253854.post-42909561564252911942009-08-19T16:54:15.066-07:002009-08-19T16:54:15.066-07:00Well, there were some comments against the article...Well, there were some comments against the article, but most were pro. <br /><br />Congratulations on 14 years! We just celebrated our 33rd on Aug 1st.<br /><br />But sushi?!?!?! ICK!Glenn E. Chatfieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04117405535707961903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578595981424253854.post-12473334870602914322009-08-19T05:45:05.585-07:002009-08-19T05:45:05.585-07:00"Complementarianism occurs when people look a...<i>"Complementarianism occurs when people look at the Bible throught the sin-filled lenses of the world. I've always found that complementarianism goes up when people ignore the Holy Spirit." I's say it's the other way around."</i><br /><br />I agree with you - walk away from what Scripture actually teaches, and you open the door to all kinds of unbiblical abuses. <br /><br />I noticed there were a lot of comments after the article, but if I had taken the time to read through them, I never would have gotten my husband's supper last night. :) No kidding. So I still haven't read them and probably won't - it'll just make me mad.<br /><br />We're celebrating our 14th wedding anniversary today. I have a meeting at church and he has to paint the deck door, but we're going to make sushi tonight. I'll have to ask him how I'm doing on the "submission" thing. He asked me to buy him some beer the other day, and I did. So I guess I'm not doing too bad. :)Mariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15411152395819469453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578595981424253854.post-87240007970486789872009-08-19T05:05:35.501-07:002009-08-19T05:05:35.501-07:00Good post, Marie!
I looked at that article and ...Good post, Marie! <br /><br />I looked at that article and the comments posted and find that most comments are just as liberal and confused in their thinking as the author. Actually, if anyone stopped to read Ephesians and what it means for a husband to love his wife as Christ loved the church, abuse would be a non-issue. Only by twisting scripture could anyone use the passage in a dictatorial, authoritarian way. <br /><br />One commenter said, "Complementarianism occurs when people look at the Bible throught the sin-filled lenses of the world. I've always found that complementarianism goes up when people ignore the Holy Spirit." I's say it's the other way around.<br /><br />Another cited Gilbert Bilezekian's book, which I owned until a couple years ago when I threw it away. He has a lot of hermeneutical gymnastics to explain away the obvious teaching of Scripture. But, being from Willow Creek, that explains it all.Glenn E. Chatfieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04117405535707961903noreply@blogger.com