Agape4Robin said:Autonomy? :think: LIke what?inteltheology said:And anyway, this just illustrates the crux of complementarian theory. The advocation of "loving, willing submission" on the part of wives and "self sacrificial leadership" on the part of males often turns into just what you've described - wives obeying husbands. I must say that this has nothing to do with the traditional dichotomy of male/provider and female/homemaker .... this has to do with the question of 'authority' in the home, and the right to autonomy for married women.
Are you saying that women who submit to their husbands are door mats? If so, then you have a very immature perception of what true submission is or even what autonomy is.
Obedience suggests one is compeled to be submissive to a demand or request, but the word that best describes a wife's position of submission is [size=-1]AMENABLE[/size] this suggests a willingness to yield or to cooperate either because of a desire to be agreeable or because of a natural open-mindedness.Of course giving another person control of your life makes your life easier! You're shielded from making any real descisions in your life without the filter of another person's opinion. I must say - my life was ALOT easier when my parents were in charge of my major decisions. However, that's the thing - when somebody takes control of your life-choices, you lose control. The question is - is that what God wants for women? Obedience to their life-mates? Is that what God advocates? Is that what scripture implies? Or is Paul asking husbands to liberate their wives by mutual and self sacrificial submission despite the helplessness and powerlessness forced upon the wives by the patriarchal culture in which they lived? The fact that it's easier for you to allow your husband to make decisions for you and your family than to take personal responsibility for such decisions yourself doesn't answer these questions, Agape4Robin... this discussion should be based on scripture , not personal experience.
Ephesians 5:21Out of respect for Christ, be courteously reverent to one another.
22-24Wives, understand and support your husbands in ways that show your support for Christ. The husband provides leadership to his wife the way Christ does to his church, not by domineering but by cherishing. So just as the church submits to Christ as he exercises such leadership, wives should likewise submit to their husbands.
25-28Husbands, go all out in your love for your wives, exactly as Christ did for the church—a love marked by giving, not getting. Christ's love makes the church whole. His words evoke her beauty. Everything he does and says is designed to bring the best out of her, dressing her in dazzling white silk, radiant with holiness. And that is how husbands ought to love their wives. They're really doing themselves a favor—since they're already "one" in marriage. 29-33No one abuses his own body, does he? No, he feeds and pampers it. That's how Christ treats us, the church, since we are part of his body. And this is why a man leaves father and mother and cherishes his wife. No longer two, they become "one flesh." This is a huge mystery, and I don't pretend to understand it all. What is clearest to me is the way Christ treats the church. And this provides a good picture of how each husband is to treat his wife, loving himself in loving her, and how each wife is to honor her husband.
Colossians 18Wives, understand and support your husbands by submitting to them in ways that honor the Master.
19Husbands, go all out in love for your wives. Don't take advantage of them.
20Children, do what your parents tell you. This delights the Master no end.
21Parents, don't come down too hard on your children or you'll crush their spirits. 22-25Servants, do what you're told by your earthly masters. And don't just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you'll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you're serving is Christ. The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being a follower of Jesus doesn't cover up bad work.
As you can see, God is not picking on women or demeaning them in any way, but including them and every one else. It is instructions on how to deal with your fellow man......or woman.
Hebrews 12:14 (New King James Version)
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgclick.php?what=94 http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgclick.php?what=30 14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:
James 3:16-18 (New King James Version)
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgclick.php?what=94 http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgclick.php?what=30 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
1 Peter 3:11 (New King James Version)
New King James Version (NKJV)
Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgclick.php?what=94 http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgclick.php?what=30 11 Let him turn away from evil and do good;
Let him seek peace and pursue it.
Here it is! Great response, Robin! :thumb: