The tension in the house could be cut with a knife. Thomas was angry, all the time. His anger was controlling and mean-spirited. It caused his wife, Carol, and their children to feel like they were cowering, tip-toeing around him, hoping their actions didn’t cause another outburst. They also felt trapped. Where could they go? Who could they tell? Carol’s attempt to talk to the pastor about her husband’s behavior brought the sickening response, “You just need to submit to him, Carol, and things will improve.” How was she to submit to rage? Was there no means for accountability of Thomas’ behavior?
This story has been repeated time and again in many homes here and elsewhere because of pulling verses out of context and misinterpreting God’s intent. The word “submit” has been used as a battering ram against women, their ability to think and lead and serve Jesus. The problem was that the verses written by Paul and by Peter in his first letter, regarding how people lived out their faith at home and at work had been interpreted without regard for the world to which Paul and Peter were writing in the first century. The consequent interpretation then reflected the warped human relationships after the fall, as God had told the woman then, “Your desire shall be for your husband and he shall rule over you,” (Genesis 3:16).
What if we looked at these codes from the worldview intended? What if we stepped back in awe that both Paul and Peter had taken what was the “norm” for the culture of the day and turned it on it’s ear by including those never mentioned? How might we understand Paul’s genius when we notice that he called for men to “love their wives?” Does it sound radical to our ears? Of course not, for we have heard it and ignored it for centuries. But to the first century ear, that would have sounded like telling men to spread their arms and fly. It wasn’t said. And what about the fact that wives, children and slaves were included, at all. Again, this was not done.
Last week we looked at Paul’s calling to the Colossian Christians to look up, to seek the “things” and set their minds and hearts upon “Christ” who is above, seated at God’s right hand, not on earthly things. This then flowed into his call to kill off or die to or take off everything that was part of that old life and instead dress in the new resurrection garments known by compassion, love, patience, etc. This week we are looking at how those “clothes” might look when worn in our daily relationships at home and work, and how might they best be expressed.
Perhaps this primer on relationships might strengthen your own. Don’t miss this opportunity to reflect with one another.