John Piper: Patriarchy Embraces Mutual Submission…Egalitarianis Skip the Rest
written by Kelly Crawford
Kelly Crawford
Hello! I’m Kelly and I’m glad you’re here. I’m a wife and mom, just like you. I get it. I know how hard the days can be, and how you might feel like you’re spinning your wheels or that no one sees or appreciates your work.
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I am so sad for the things that have not been past down through generations. Mutual respect, giving of ones self, truly submitting to one another.
Feminism has ruined so much!! I wish that soemone had taught me not to be so selfish. That what makes me feel good shouldn’t matter so much. I mean I have friends who think their whole world is falling apart if their husband forgets to get them something at the store!
I’m afraid I’m not too far away from feeling that way, also.
Please, Lord, help me set a good example so as not to perpetuate selfishness for the next generation.
There is nothing to be gained from a spirit of pride and selfishness. But, more than can be imagined can be gained by loving and submitting unconditionally.
I just recently found your blog. I am very encouraged and challenged by it. You are a blessing!
Thank you so much for adding these to your post! J. Piper is an amazing pastor, writer, thinker. These words provide much encouragement.
I grew up in the church (evangelical) and submission in marriage was mentioned briefly up once in a while but I’d never seen it practiced. I’ve noticed that my reformed friends mention this concept of headship often in their day to day conversations.
I am just starting to figure out what that term really means. Thanks for sharing these truths. I look forward to part two tomorrow.
Mmm, Piper’s hit and miss. Mutual submission is caused by love, NOT male-rule. He has some great views of womanhood, and others that are very limited.
Jennifer,
Disagreed, Jennifer,that is, mutual submission can embrace both, just as the Bible simply explains, which is why I did not publish your comment on the patriarchy post. When I refer to patriarcy on this blog, my definitions come strictly from Scripture.
If you read Scripture and interpret submission out of it, and claim that “mutual submission” trumps any other truth about “women submit to your own husbands” and “the woman was made for the man”, then you are, in my opinion, preaching another gospel and I choose not to allow false teachings on the blog.
I most certainly do not follow a different Gospel, Kelly, and I don’t appreciate the indication.
“claim that “mutual submission” trumps any other truth about “women submit to your own husbands” and “the woman was made for the man””
I said nothing of the sort; mutual submission means that BOTH submit, including wives. I have not contradicted anything in the Bible, Kelly, and contrary to certain beliefs, patriarchy is never referred to as God’s plan. You can believe in it if you want, but don’t try to claim that God declares it as His one and only plan; that will not work, nor will the attempt to tell those who disagree with you that they are spreading false teachings.
I apologize if I was too harsh, Kelly, or if you misunderstood me, but I do take the Gospel very seriously and I have been accused in the past of not doing so because I disagreed with certain people. This makes me wary sometimes.
Jennifer,
Perhaps we are disagreed about the definition of “patriarchy”. God has ONE plan for marriage, and obviously, if we disagree on that plan, one of us is wrong.
Multiple times in Scripture is the simplicity of the plan laid out…”the husband is the head (kephale, as in, “first soldier into battle”, “protector”).
Wives are not inferior, but willinging submit to the LOVING, “laying down life” kind of authority God has given to husbands. “As Christ is head of the church, and laid down his life for her”.
There should be nothing offensive in that kind of “headship”!
That’s my definition of patriarchy…I don’t even prefer using the term, but I think people have confused terms and use that term to refer to anything akin to hierarchy in marriage.
The hierarchy is so paradoxical (a leader that lays down his life?) that it slaps us in the face, and we shoot ourselves in the foot trying to avoid it.
Nevertheless, let’s not be afraid afraid of the terms used in Scipture. “Wives, reverence your husbands.” I love that! “For the wife was created for the man, and not man for the wife.” Love it. “Submit to your own husbands…” Safety, beauty, security in God’s design.
Anything that opposes the authority of Scripture is, yes, false teaching. But if you agree with those verses above, we are on the same page 😉