"But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God." I Cor. 11:3
A few days ago my son called to may attention the following quotation from Albert Einstein:
"The scientist's religious feeling takes the form of rapturous amazement at the harmony of natural law, which reveals an intelligence of such superiority that, in comparison with it, the highest intelligence of human beings is an utterly insignificant reflection."
Given "the harmony of natural law," if we meddle with it, violate it, we invite catastrophe. By how much more, then, do we incite catastrophe if we violate the far superior law of God? Yet it is done every day by mindless multitudes who fail to recognize or regard "the God Who is there." More tragic still is the fact that His law, as expressed in His word, is so often lightly regarded by Christians who, of all mankind, ought to know better.
If we affirm and truly believe in the divine inspiration of scripture, then we ought to recognize that God's principles are unchanging, never outmoded or made obsolete by cultural shift. The chaotic state of the world stands as a testimony and a warning of the cost of disregarding the word of God. The shock waves of Adam's rebellion are still having monumental impact on the society of man and his environment.
The text before us today, standing as it does in the timeless authority of scripture, is a reminder that God built into creation an administrative order, the violation of which will have an effect similar to putting sand in the mechanism of a fine watch. In due time it will grind it to a halt.
When God made man, He made him His subordinate. He was given a splendid environment, a noble position and wonderful privileges, the enjoyment of which required only one thing: obedience. When Adam was tempted to envy God's authority and assert his own, ("ye shall be as gods" Gen. 3:5,) he simply ruined everything. Every negative experience in this present world is the consequence of Adam's failure to recognize and properly respond to God's wisdom and benevolence.
The push for "equal rights for women" in our current culture, and its current influence in feminizing the church, is another indication of mankind's disregard for divine principles. It is God's word that declares, "the head of the woman is the man." There are two things of major importance that follow from this. The first is the responsibility of the woman to accept her role as subordinate in the administrative structure of society. The second is the responsibility of the man to take up the burden of constructive leadership in that society.
The argument is that assuming a subordinate role makes the woman inferior, and a victim of male domination. In this fallen world that often appears to be true. In the church, it should not be. We need only to note, "the head of Christ is God." There is a perfect equality of being in the Godhead. Jesus said, "I and my Father are one" (John 10:29). Within that unity, however, there is an administrative structure essential to the efficient and effective function of the Godhead. The Father sends the Son, and the Son consents to His government. The Father and the Son send the Holy Spirit, and the Spirit moves according to their bidding.
That is what God designed for the society of man in the beginning. Eve was made coequal with Adam in dignity, "bone of his bones," but subordinate in authority. She was to be the helper, not the head. It was when she acted on her own authority that trouble began. The principle is no different today. The New Testament apostle wrote. "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord." And then to husbands, "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it." (Cf. Eph. 5:22ff)
The great safeguard for the woman is found in recognition by the man that "the head of every man is Christ." For the woman to be comfortable and secure under the headship of the man, the man must submit to the lordship of Christ. He will become a student and an obedient subject of the authority of God's word. When that order is implemented, things will get done, and done right, for it will be God Who is in charge.
This order will not start in the fallen, sin sick world at large. It can only begin in the church and in the Christian home. How is it in yours?
With HIS plan in view,
"Pastor" Frasier
A few days ago my son called to may attention the following quotation from Albert Einstein:
"The scientist's religious feeling takes the form of rapturous amazement at the harmony of natural law, which reveals an intelligence of such superiority that, in comparison with it, the highest intelligence of human beings is an utterly insignificant reflection."
Given "the harmony of natural law," if we meddle with it, violate it, we invite catastrophe. By how much more, then, do we incite catastrophe if we violate the far superior law of God? Yet it is done every day by mindless multitudes who fail to recognize or regard "the God Who is there." More tragic still is the fact that His law, as expressed in His word, is so often lightly regarded by Christians who, of all mankind, ought to know better.
If we affirm and truly believe in the divine inspiration of scripture, then we ought to recognize that God's principles are unchanging, never outmoded or made obsolete by cultural shift. The chaotic state of the world stands as a testimony and a warning of the cost of disregarding the word of God. The shock waves of Adam's rebellion are still having monumental impact on the society of man and his environment.
The text before us today, standing as it does in the timeless authority of scripture, is a reminder that God built into creation an administrative order, the violation of which will have an effect similar to putting sand in the mechanism of a fine watch. In due time it will grind it to a halt.
When God made man, He made him His subordinate. He was given a splendid environment, a noble position and wonderful privileges, the enjoyment of which required only one thing: obedience. When Adam was tempted to envy God's authority and assert his own, ("ye shall be as gods" Gen. 3:5,) he simply ruined everything. Every negative experience in this present world is the consequence of Adam's failure to recognize and properly respond to God's wisdom and benevolence.
The push for "equal rights for women" in our current culture, and its current influence in feminizing the church, is another indication of mankind's disregard for divine principles. It is God's word that declares, "the head of the woman is the man." There are two things of major importance that follow from this. The first is the responsibility of the woman to accept her role as subordinate in the administrative structure of society. The second is the responsibility of the man to take up the burden of constructive leadership in that society.
The argument is that assuming a subordinate role makes the woman inferior, and a victim of male domination. In this fallen world that often appears to be true. In the church, it should not be. We need only to note, "the head of Christ is God." There is a perfect equality of being in the Godhead. Jesus said, "I and my Father are one" (John 10:29). Within that unity, however, there is an administrative structure essential to the efficient and effective function of the Godhead. The Father sends the Son, and the Son consents to His government. The Father and the Son send the Holy Spirit, and the Spirit moves according to their bidding.
That is what God designed for the society of man in the beginning. Eve was made coequal with Adam in dignity, "bone of his bones," but subordinate in authority. She was to be the helper, not the head. It was when she acted on her own authority that trouble began. The principle is no different today. The New Testament apostle wrote. "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord." And then to husbands, "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it." (Cf. Eph. 5:22ff)
The great safeguard for the woman is found in recognition by the man that "the head of every man is Christ." For the woman to be comfortable and secure under the headship of the man, the man must submit to the lordship of Christ. He will become a student and an obedient subject of the authority of God's word. When that order is implemented, things will get done, and done right, for it will be God Who is in charge.
This order will not start in the fallen, sin sick world at large. It can only begin in the church and in the Christian home. How is it in yours?
With HIS plan in view,
"Pastor" Frasier
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