Daughters of the King
Each day, I pray that God will free his daughters from the artificial limits that we humans, both men and women put on them. Why, after all, cannot God's daughters pass a communion tray, or read a scripture, or say a public prayer during the "holy" hour on Sunday morning? I sometimes lack patience for people's unwillingness to even consider change.
Some people tell me that reason that we in Churches of Christ continue to cling to the traditional limits on women is that we have works-driven rather than grace-centered theology and soteriology. Because we fear that error on even a minor point will be sufficient to keep us out of heaven, we'd rather play it safe. That, of, course, was the logic of the one-talent man, who found, to his regret, that playing it safe is not what his master called or expected him to do.
Maybe there's truth in that analysis; but I hesitate to impugn other people's motives (though I do it anyway, sometimes). I do agree that we should teach grace, and to fail to do so leads us to fall naturally(1) back on our own works. But, I also remember that I have been on a long journey myself, and that I cannot expect people to change overnight if I didn't.
Still, I want to see change now. I'm impatient in my patience. "Father, free your daughters!"
1. Note the etymology of "natural": of one's birth. Maybe I'll write more on this another time.
Some people tell me that reason that we in Churches of Christ continue to cling to the traditional limits on women is that we have works-driven rather than grace-centered theology and soteriology. Because we fear that error on even a minor point will be sufficient to keep us out of heaven, we'd rather play it safe. That, of, course, was the logic of the one-talent man, who found, to his regret, that playing it safe is not what his master called or expected him to do.
Maybe there's truth in that analysis; but I hesitate to impugn other people's motives (though I do it anyway, sometimes). I do agree that we should teach grace, and to fail to do so leads us to fall naturally(1) back on our own works. But, I also remember that I have been on a long journey myself, and that I cannot expect people to change overnight if I didn't.
Still, I want to see change now. I'm impatient in my patience. "Father, free your daughters!"
1. Note the etymology of "natural": of one's birth. Maybe I'll write more on this another time.
posted by TWD | 16:09
9 Comments:
I'd love to join you in the learning process. How do you move forward? Refuse entry into unbiblical gender exclusive roles? Gently educate until a new reality exists? Hold a "sit in" (Although on Sunday morning no one would know the difference)?
"Sit in" is exactly where plenty of folks would like to keep the King's daughters. How about a "stand-on-the-podium in"?
Doesn't have the same ring to it, but okay.
We'll have to ask the elders. There really isn't any biblical precedent for female participation in their own "stand-on-the- podium-in". Maybe the women can silently advocate for themselves.
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Maybe the question is, "Father, how can I help free your daughters?" Rescuing a princess (a daughter of the king) has long been a staple of hero stories.
I hope to see you weigh in soon on the current discussion.
I weighed in this morning and found I've lost eight pounds.
Thunder fan's reference to the myth of the hero worshipping the princess made me think of Shrek. In that movie, the one who should have been the hero fobbed off the job on someone else. Guess who ended up with the princess?
This is good discussion, but it's time to turn discussion into action. Past time.
I meant the elder "Re: Rather Humbling" email discussion. I'm throwing my chips in today in honor of Thunder fan.
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