Lead Us Not Into Misreading: Seeing the Mutuality in Ephesians 5:22-33

Lisa Spencer9 Comments

Well, it’s happened once again. I came across another mention of Ephesians 5:22:33 as a proof-text that men are to lead their wives. In fact, I’m noticing this to be pretty common verbiage regarding the complementarian perspective. Although, as I’ve written about here that I think we should distinguish between patriarchalism and complementarianism.

Nonetheless, I’ll get straight to the point. I think to read men’s leadership of their wives into this text is not only imposing something on it that Paul is not conveying, but also is just a tad bit dishonest and agenda driven. And I write this as one committed to a complementarian perspective and affirms male headship. There is a mutuality that gets missed by insisting this passage is about men leading their wives.

First, the passage really begins in vs 21 – “and submit to one another in the fear of Christ”. Well actually, this is a continuation of thought from the previous verses beginning with vs 15, “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise people but as wise people”. Context and following Paul’s flow of thought is important. From there he’ll talk about how that’s done – making the most of time, being filled with the Holy Spirit and having a right attitude towards one another (vv 16-20). Continue reading →

A Prayer for Prayer During Silence and Darkness

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Have you ever gone through a period in your Christian life where it seems like prayer just doesn’t work? It is usually through times of trial and drought, where you yearn for God to intervene and answer something. You cite passages on prayer with the hope that this will revive your weary heart.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7-8)

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. (James 5:16)

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7)

Ah but casting cares for silence gets discouraging after awhile.  I confess this has been my challenge lately.  Coming before the Lord to pray and that ever growing bowl of unanswered prayers hits me square between the eyes. Added trouble to the list brings further despair and the question “what’s the point?”.  And this encompasses all kinds of prayers – for needs, for salvation of loved ones, for situations that need correcting, for others and their needs and for personal desires.   If you you’ve never been there, then God bless you. But for those of us who have you know how difficult prayer can get in the midst of extended periods of silence. It generates all kinds of questions and evaluation of what we might be doing wrong. Continue reading →

Is It OK to Use a Verse Out of Context?

Lisa Spencer5 Comments

It is a very common practice to use a bible verse to express whatever thoughts we have about God. One of the tragedies of the single verse principle is that the context of the passage is often ignored. Well this is important. If you were writing a story about something that happened or a letter, you would cringe if someone sliced an isolated sentence out of the body and made it mean something you never intended. Yet, there is a rampant tendency to do this today and the accompanying danger of establishing shaky foundations of faith. It’s why I’ve been impassioned to engage in ministry that exposes Christians to how the Bible was put together and how it tells God’s complete story from Genesis to Revelation, his personhood, character, work and promises.

A good example of a verse commonly taken out of it’s context would be Jeremiah 29:11 – “for I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future”. Now if we step back and see the immediate context, we see that Jeremiah is addressing Israel held in Babylonian captivity because of repeated transgressions against the Yahweh. But he is reminding them of his covanental promises. There is something beyond captivity for them and this leads to the overall redemptive work that is accomplished in Christ. Well, I confess that I have often cringed at the repeated use of this verse applied to a present day setting.

But the reality is we have a tendency to focus on contemporary settings and especially settings that have to do with wherever we find ourselves in life. We apply that verse to ourselves because it gives us hope, just as it gave Israel hope. And let’s face it, we need hope. We need to remember that whatever trial, drought or storm we may be facing is not all there is. Continue reading →

Facebook Speak: Translation Guide

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Like: Alright, that was pretty cool. But I really don’t want to say anything because I might get a question I don’t want to respond to or a string of follow up notifications.

Share: Man, more people should see that. I’ll get props for posting something so cool, too.

Hide Story: Um, ok was that really necessary? Maybe you’re having an off day.

Only Important Updates: Well, I thought we could be cool on Facebook but your posts are beginning to annoy me. Maybe you’ll calm down.

Unsubscribe: What are thinking? You have issues. I have to protect myself from your posts.

Unfriend:  You’ve annoyed me for the last time. Maybe I’ll see you around and we’ll exchange pleasantries as usual.

Just having a little fun 😉

For Those Who Know Too Much

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During a trip to California a few years ago,  my dad made a remark about the ex-husband of one his neighbors. Now they live in a very nice, gated condo community with each building consisting of 2 vertical condo units. Apparently, the ex-husband of the downstairs condo unit owner maintains active involvement in his ex-wife’s life. So my dad vocalized his observation about how although the ex-husband lives just a few houses down, he always drives to the ex-wife’s house. My dad was insistent that he figured out the reason, “Jim”, who is retired obviously needed to feel like he was going somewhere and making the 200 yard trek via vehicle satisfies this need. It was not until he expressed this epiphany to my step-mom, that we learned the real reason. “Jim” has emphysema from years of heavy smoking, and gets too winded to walk even the short distance. My dad thought he had the guy figured out.

I see a very similar scenario in the book of Job. Job is stricken with utter loss, devastation and sickness and is utterly miserable. His friends, Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar think they have it figured all out. God must not be pleased with Job, Job must have some sin in his life, God must be trying to teach Job a lesson, there is something Job must do before God removes the hand of judgment upon Job. They offer words of comfort, admonishment and wisdom according to their assessment of the situation. Of course, what they have failed to recognize is that God has his own purpose for Job’s suffering, that is significantly removed from the friends’ assessment they are so convinced must be the reason for Job’s malaise. They were wrong.

The devil got in God’s face about his favor and protection towards the righteous, that he insisted if God would remove his hedge of protection, then surely righteousness would fail. But God obviously was so confident in Job and his faithfulness, that Job received the honor of proving the devil wrong. God insisted that Job would not fail Him. He was right. Continue reading →