What is "Headship?"


Abstract:
I really do not understand how churches can continue to teach the Hellenistic concept of the pater familias as Biblical, given what Jesus says about the new way of doing family in the Kingdom of God: If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple.

Body:
Great stuff on male "headship" and the Aristotelian understanding of gender relations at Suzanne's Bookshelf (formerly Powerscourt).

I really do not understand how churches can continue to teach the Hellenistic concept of the pater familias as Biblical, given what Jesus says about the new way of doing family in the Kingdom of God:
If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:26)

"Ah!" some say. "But that's not literal! That's metaphorical." Yes. So is headship. And I'm not sure those who teach that wives should submit to the authority of their husbands grasp the meaning of either metaphor.

I don't find fault with those who choose to live their lives patterned after this concept. Mary Pipher found that girls who grow up in such a household often have a positive self-image and have healthy relationships. But I do have a problem with it being promoted as God-mandated.

Posted: Sat - January 7, 2006 at 10:09 PM           |

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