Fishers of men αλιεις ανθρωπων

Transforming culture

Since none of the biblical texts were written in a cultural vacuum, only the most naïve would argue that the cultural context had no influence on the inspired texts.   Both the Old Testament and New Testament texts arose in a largely patriarchal culture.  In spite of this, we find significant argument in some of the texts that would elevate the position of women above much of the surrounding culture.  Divine revelation occurs in and through people bound to a culture, but there is a transforming nature about the revelation.  If it were not so it would be worthless revelation.   While the haustafeln of Paul and Peter is a cultural contextualization of the liberating Good News, it maintains the transforming ethic they heard from the radical teachings of Jesus.  Although, the historical church has failed often to see and act according to this transforming ethic, this ethic is why finally, the church as rejected the institution of slavery.  I have a friend that does development work among some tribes in the highlands of central and south Vietnam.  These tribes are traditionally matriarchal or matrilineal.   Earlier missionaries were successful in converting many to Christianity.  The missionaries taught  against their matriarchal traditions, as they believed the Christian revelation was to bring these men and women to repentance and transform their society to a Biblical patriarchal model.   The result, my friend tells me, is a dysfunctional society, in which women who were traditionally decision makers and leaders, have been forced to submit to men who do not have the tradition to lead and reside in this leadership largely inactive. 

The priest of the home

I was sitting in a summer tent revival meeting.  In such a meeting I was listen to the speaker refer to a husband or father as the priest of the home.  I thought to myself, "Is that a new idea or have I just not been paying attention before."  I could not remember hearing the phrase before.  Later I asked my father-in-law about it.  He affirmed that this was a correct teaching.  I was shocked,  I asked him where such a teaching if found in the Bible.  He went on to tell me about the male requirement of the priesthood Ancient Israel.  I decided I was not in the mood for a hopeless theological debate and let the matter end at my comment that how does that work if in relation to the Biblical teaching of the priesthood of all believers.

A good woman

Women throughout history have been oppressed in so many ways that many of them are not even aware of the degree of oppression.  My daughter was commenting that one of her male friends was needing to take a course on either Native American studies or Women's studies.  He was afraid of the Women's studies because he had heard the prof. was a man hater.   I responded to my daughter, well that might be an eye opener for him, since most men are women haters.  They say they love women, but so many men resent a woman that does not show traditional female submissiveness or weakness.  They are so quick to label them as radical feminsts or feminazis.  On face book one friend made a comment about how busy she been... trying to be a good preachers wife.   I asked her what the TOR for a pastor's wife are?  She didn't reply.  I guess she either doesn't know or just thinks I am acting stupid.

Inequality

Inequality is certainly the cause of injustice. It is only by one person's, one nation's expression of entitlement that allows them to perpetuate an injustice upon another human.