[Vision2020] Doug Wilson Interview

[keely emerinemix]

Chas is someone I hold in high regard for his intellect, kindness, and his 
attempt to be fair in regard to Doug Wilson.  Nonetheless, I fear he's been 
misled.  Chas correctly exegetes the verse from Ephesians 5 -- it's 
submission "one to another," and if women are the only ones to submit, then, 
according to the structure of the verse, only men must exercise love in 
marriage.  No one would argue that's the case; rhetorically and logically, a 
parallel construction has applications consistent within its structure and 
not only in a single direction.

My question to Chas, and indirectly (this time) to Wilson, is this:  If 
submission in your household is mutual, and roles are equal but different, 
why then are men referred to as the "head" of the household and, further, 
are conferred leadership status, opportunities, and privileges by virtue of 
their maleness?  Please don't suggest that the Bible indisputably teaches 
male headship  -- there are multitudinous evangelical studies that indicate 
that "kephale" in the Greek means "source," not "leader."   Men at Christ 
Church are indisputably considered differently from women, and I see no 
examples of that difference of consideration leading to greater 
opportunities for women, regardless of their Spirit-given gifts.  That women 
may not serve on the board of Logos school is one example of avenues of 
leadership not available to women.  There are many others , and Wilson seems 
proud of his conclusions.  That his wife is a strong, capable woman isn't in 
question, nor does anyone wonder if he treats her well.  What we dispute is 
that this benign and unquestioned feeling of mutual appreciation across 
gender lines has no real implications that can only be considered sexist.

I've written a lot about evangelical feminism, and I identify myself as a 
Biblical egalitarian.  If Wilson is so fond of equality and opportunity for 
women, then why doesn't he so identify?  I know the answer -- he believes 
that feminism is a particularly odious -ism, the embracing of which 
precludes attendance, for example, at NSA -- but I ask that he be entirely 
honest.  His view of gender roles has implications he'd like to ignore.  I'm 
asking that Chas not make that mistake, and I implore readers to think it 
through as well.  If you revere the Bible as God's word and the standard of 
conduct and doctrine for believers, be assured that the full testimony 
affirms full egalitarianism; if the Bible is simply an interesting 
collection of stories, then be assured that Wilson's seemingly benign view 
of gender roles is, upon reflection, as incorrect and bothersome as any 
other form of sexism should be considered.

Again, I have a lot of respect for Chas, and it's because of that that I ask 
him to consider the PR aspect of dealing with Wilson.  What you get 
face-to-face is always more charming than what drips from his pen in the 
company of the other boys at the fieldhouse.

keely



From: Chasuk <chasuk at gmail.com>
To: "Sue Hovey" <suehovey at moscow.com>
CC: vision2020 at moscow.com
Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Doug Wilson Interview
Date: Wed, 17 Jan 2007 14:38:29 -0800

On 1/17/07, Sue Hovey <suehovey at moscow.com> wrote:

 > And a man who promotes female submission as a component of equality 
shouldn't be fooling anyone.

I submit myself to my wife all of the time.  She submits herself to
me.  This isn't "female" submission, but mutual submission, and it is
called being accommodating, which is a key ingredient in many
longlasting, harmonious relationships.  My father is an absolute
despot in his relationships.  I wouldn't call his marriage a happy
one.

Further, while I am not a  Christian, I don't believe in cherrypicking
scripture, and it does say this is in the Bible (Ephesians 5):

"21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord."

The operative phrase, to me, is "submitting yourselves ONE TO
ANOTHER," which, according to my conversations with Doug, is what he
believes.  His wife has contributed to this forum and doesn't seem
servile or abused.

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