Tried With Fire

Several years ago, we helped my parents move to an independent living facility. For those of you who have moved elderly parents, you know what it's like. If your parents lived through the Great Depression or a similar economically trying circumstance, you also know the added challenge. Not only is there the accumulation of decades' worth of stuff, nothing is thrown away for fear it might be needed. Consequently we sorted through trunks, boxes, and bags not sure of what we would find. There were treasures such as correspondence between my dad and his siblings during his college days. But there were also many items over which we just shook our heads and then tossed into the trash. This wasn't my junk. I didn't tuck it away in the attic, but it was my problem because it was my family. I was talking to my daughter recently about the difficulty in discussing racial issues among Christians. Some think others are making it out to be more of a problem than it currently is....

"Hidden Figures" is one of the best books that I've read in a long time. It combines history, science, and some of the most inspiring women you could ever meet. I was so proud of Dorothy, Katherine, and Mary and the strides they made as scientists and black women during an era that discriminated against them as African Americans and women. I could not help but think about the women scientists in my family who immigrated to North America. Their circumstances were different from the women in the book, but there were strong similarities. In fields dominated by white men, they worked hard to get an education and jobs in their respective fields with the goal of making life better for their families here and back home. It wasn't about pursuing self-actualization but to help as many of the extended family as possible to immigrate. I am very proud of my parents and aunts and uncles. But it hit me recently that it took "Hidden Figures" to make me realize that I ...

I have several missionary heroes, and one of them is J. Hudson Taylor, founder of the China Inland Mission (CIM). My roots hail from China, and the first Christians in my family were my paternal grand-grandmother and my maternal grandparents. Their conversions were the act of the Holy Spirit, of course, but through the means of missionary labor. These unknown saints may not have been associated with CIM, but Taylor left his mark on missions in general and China in particular. European imperialism was sweeping through Asia at the time. Countries were subject to gunboat diplomacy and trade agreements in favor of the conquerors. I don't know if the British opinion of the Chinese was the same as the sentiments in North America , but I think it would be safe to say that there was very little sense of equality. However, Hudson Taylor's attitude was quite different, which is perhaps one of the reasons he is so respected. Taylor adopted the dress, living quarters, eating habits,...

Because I can't seem to close this can of worms, here are links to two papers that survey different views of Genesis 3:16 and the scope of marital submission. Both are written by evangelical, non-egalitarians. Genesis 3:16 - The Pronouncement on Eve by Les Galicinski, M.Div. (ht: A Cry for Justice) This paper has a helpful diagram that lists the theologian and his/her interpretation of Genesis 3:16. Of note, the author does not agree with Susan Foh's recent interpretation but believes that desire is a  desire for her husband. He also cites John Piper and Wayne Grudem as differing from the Foh view, which I find surprising as I was under the impression that CBMW promotes her interpretation. But I may be wrong. What Does "Submit in Everything" Mean? The Nature and Scope of Marital Submission by Steven Tracy, Ph.D., Professor of Theology and Ethics at Phoenix Seminary. Published: Trinity Journal (TrinJ) 29 (2008) pp. 285-312 Dr. Tracy discusses the differe...

These are the quotes I posted yesterday: Quote #1: The woman's desire is to control her husband, to usurp his divinely appointed headship, and he must master her, if he can.  Quote #2: It was woman's nature to be ruled by man and her sickness to envy him. I will begin with the second quote. While not directly from Sigmund Freud, this is Betty Friedan's summary of his view of women. Freud is known for diagnosing (or misdiagnosing) the neuroses of women down to one common ailment -  envy of male reproductive anatomy. He also believed, "Nature has determined woman's destiny through beauty, charm, and sweetness. Law and custom have much to give women that has surely been withheld from them, but the position of women will surely be what it is: to youth, an adored darling and in mature years, a loved wife." Therefore, any desire outside of these confines, any desire for equality with man was only a symptom of her biological inferiority manifesting itself in ...

Quote #1:  The woman's desire is to control her husband, to usurp his divinely appointed headship, and he must master her, if he can.  Quote #2:  It was woman's nature to be ruled by man and her sickness to envy him. I'll post the answers tomorrow. Hint: These statements are from two different people.  Photo credit: By Richtom80 (Image:Nuvola apps filetypes.png) [LGPL (http://www.gnu.org/licenses/lgpl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons

If you wandered around the blogsphere recently, you've seen the critical posts and counterposts about the purity movement. To be clear, I believe the Bible commands believers to flee sexual immorality. At the same time, I believe that the sin of sexual immorality is not beyond the reach of gospel. However, as I pull out my worm-can opener, I think many of the criticisms are valid. Granted the purity movement is varied, but from what I have seen and read, there's too much emphasis on "doing it right" and very little gospel grace. Shame as a tactic to promote desired behavior is nothing short of legalism. I've seen people crushed under self-condemnation because they failed to live up to every jot and tittle and perceived themselves as "damaged" good. I've known others who have followed the prescription and expected heaven-on-earth only to be shocked when picture perfect courtship does not guarantee happily-ever-after. As my daughter and I were dis...