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Ezer’s Handbook #8: Mentor Holiness & Purity

Posted in Biblical manhood & womanhood, Faith & Practice, Identity, Life issues, Parenting & Education, Sexy or holy?, Vocation, tagged baptism, boyhood, equality, feminism, girlhood, Jesus Christ, Meg Meeker MD, Miriam Grossman MD, parental role, sex education in the Church on April 19, 2014| Leave a Comment »

In a highly sexualized world, here’s a challenge for dads and moms who care about the physical, psychological and spiritual well-being of their children…

#8 – MENTOR HOLINESS & PURITY

For now thus says the Lord, he who created you . . . Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine (Isaiah 43:1). As obedient children, do not be conformed by the passions of your former ignorance, but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy (1 Peter 1:14-16).

Host a parent night in your home or at church. Encourage dads and moms in their vocation of parenthood. God has entrusted children to parents, not to schools, “villages” or even churches. God gives parents everything they need in His Word to train up a child for the good path of life. Start an e-mail chain with resources that help parents contrast the message of Planned Parenthood (www.teenwire.org) with God’s Word. Suggestions include The Purity Principle by Randy Alcorn, Boys Should Be Boys and Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters by Meg Meeker, M.D., and the brochures “Purity, Mystery and Modesty” (LFL903T) and “Fig Leaves Are Not Enough” (LFL612T) from http://www.cph.org.

Know who you are so that you can teach your children who they are. Many Christians ask, “How is it that even children are sexualized?” Children are sexualized when adults fail to see them as God sees them. Sexualizing children is what happens when a culture is deceived by humanists such as Alfred Kinsey, Mary Calderone, or John Money and organizations such as SIECUS (Sexuality Information and Education Council of the U.S.) and Planned Parenthood. For half a century, Christians and non-Christians alike have been taught to believe that “children are sexual from birth”. Nowhere in Scripture does God describe children this way. The phrase was coined by Kinsey who believed infants and children can enjoy and benefit from early sexual activity. His social science was wrong, but his research was widely accepted. Today, it is not unusual to hear Christians identify themselves (or their children) as “sexual beings”. But a false identity has both temporal and eternal ramifications. False identity compromises purity and puts human lives at risk. Our true identity was bestowed at Baptism. Baptized by water and the Word, we are heirs of God in Jesus Christ. We are sons and daughters of God in Christ who are called not to sensual living, but holy living. “Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work” (2 Timothy 2:21). God does not define us by our sexual inclinations, but by our relationship to Him. A helpful and brand new resource is The Failure of Sex Education in the Church: Mistaken Identity, Compromised Purity by Linda Bartlett (available on Amazon late May 2014) that will help parents and children navigate a highly sexualized culture. Todd Wilken of Issues, Etc., describes the book as a “catechism” that does “more than diagnose, but proposes a hopeful, radical and thoroughly biblical remedy: parents and grandparents teaching and mentoring children in biblical manhood and womanhood.” In the way of a catechism, this book instructs through 107 questions and answers. It encourages the old and young, single and married to ask: Who does God say that I am and what does this mean?

Contrast biblical instruction in purity with the worldly idea of sex education. Christians need to know the origin of sex education, then ask: “What fellowship has light with darkness (2 Cor. 6:14-16)?” Upon what foundation have we built? To help expose the origin of sex education and the ideology behind it, order The Failure of Sex Education in the Church: Mistaken Identity, Compromised Purity by Linda Bartlett (available on Amazon late May 2014). God wants parents to help protect the innocence of their children. He does not want adults to “arouse love before its time” or break down protective boundaries of modesty. Parents do well to remember: It’s not lack of information, it’s lack of judgment.” Read You’re Teaching My Child What? by Miriam Grossman, M.D. Learn why this campus psychiatrist from UCLA became fed up with political correctness and the feminism that denies young women the truth about their bodies. We must stop ignoring biological facts in the name of “equality”. The bodies of girls are not ready for sex. As the bearers of life, girls have a more sensitive “eco-system”; in fact, the Pill may actually make a girl more vulnerable to sexually-transmitted infections. A girl may “bond” with a boy even while hugging or kissing when oxytocin floods her brain and deactivates caution and fear. In the classroom a boy may vow to abstain, but at a party with a provocative girl, his amygdala (feeling part of the brain) may hijack his prefrontal cortex (thinking/decision-making part of the brain). Other recommended resources are Miriam Grossman, M.D. and Meg Meeker, M.D.

Grow in your appreciation of biblical manhood and womanhood for the sake of your children. Most modern parents have been influenced by the idea that equal means “being the same”, but God did not create Adam and Eve at the same time, in the same way or for the same purpose. A life of holiness and purity takes root in knowing who God created us to be a male or female persons. Mature manhood and womanhood are not sensually driven. (This is a chapter in The Failure of Sex Education in the Church: Mistaken Identity, Compromised Purity.) You will find a wealth of Scriptural and practical information by visiting CBMW. Or, you may order the 12-lesson Bible study Men, Women & Relationships: Building a Culture of Life Across Generations (with leader’s guide) by Linda Bartlett (LFL901BS) from CPH.

Don’t be intimidated by your own past. Confessed sins are forgiven by Jesus Christ and hope is evidenced in new beginnings and a changed life. Biblical heroes were sinful men and women; nevertheless, they trusted God’s Word and used it to train children and grandchildren. What does Psalm 78:1-8 say to a parent? While it is true that sins may be visited about the third and fourth generation, mercy is shown to thousands of generations (Exodus 20:5-6). What is the promise of Ephesians 2:8-10; 1 Timothy 4:7-10 and 1 John 2:28-29?

The last in this series, #9: Mentor and Encourage Biblical Manhood, is coming soon!

Ezer’s Handbook is a resource developed by
Linda Bartlett and presented at Titus 2 Retreats

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Are Women Just One of the “Brothers?”

Posted in Biblical manhood & womanhood, Citizenship, Culture Shifts, Life issues, Relationships, Vocation, tagged air force, army, Col. McSally, combat, equality, marines, military, national defense, navy, wisdom, women's rights on April 5, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Twenty years ago on April 28, then Defense Secretary Les Aspin first authorized female pilots. Women aviators have claimed a series of “firsts.”

Now, female pilots like retired Air Force Col. Martha McSally are offering advice to women’s advocates and the Pentagon on how best to integrate women into the all-male world of ground combat.

Col. McSally has a distinguished career. Of course she was challenged. Women don’t easily enter the “man’s world.” But, said Col. McSally, “I have three older brothers. I’m Irish. I’m fiesty. This wasn’t my first rodeo with these kinds of dynamics.” Hurdles included the ready room where men were not used to women and proving that she could meet the same standards as men. She sued the Defense Department to contest a policy that required women personnel to wear the Muslim head scarf while off-base in Saudi Arabia. Col. McSally was awarded the Air Force’s Distinguished Flying Cross for her heroics in Iraq and Afghanistan. (The Washington Times National Weekly, 4-1-2013)

I have never doubted that women are equal to men, but we are different. I admire so many qualities about men but that doesn’t mean I covet their vocation or role. I often prefer activities and conversations with men more than women just because I find our different abilities and perspectives so fascinating. At the same time, I mourn what happens when men don’t have the help of a woman.

I believe in serving my country, but I know a woman does this in a myriad of ways. And, the best way might not be to become one of the “brothers.”

As we prepare to integrate women into the all-male world of ground combat — infantry, armor and special forces operations, I am compelled to ask: Who is asking for this change in policy? Is it the young women who may have to face the enemy? Is it the men who have been taught to be chivalrous and respectful of sisters, mothers, girlfriends, and wives? Is this departure from time-honored tradition for the good of the nation… or on behalf of “women’s rights?” Is distraction on the gridiron or the battlefield a good thing? As enemies grow all-male armies a million strong, will we regret tampering with our defense during a time of relative peace?

“The ancient tradition against the use of women in combat,” writes George Gilder, “embodies the deepest wisdom of the human race. It expresses the most basic imperatives of group survival: a nation or tribe that allows the loss of large numbers of its young women runs the risk of becoming permanently depopulated. The youthful years of women, far more than of men, are precious and irreplaceable.”

He continues, “Beyond this general imperative is the related need of every society to insure that male physical strength and aggressiveness are not directed against women . . . All civilized societies train their men to protect and defend women. When these restraints break down . . . the group tends to disintegrate completely and even to become extinct . . . military services, however, are unanimous in asserting that successful use of women in battlefield units depends on men overcoming their natural impulses to treat women differently and more considerately.” (Men and Marriage)

In all of my years, I have found great joy in working beside men and dialoguing with them. I could linger for hours in a room of gentlemen. But, there comes a time when I am wise to give them some space. To let them breathe. Work. Communicate in their own way. Do what they do the way they do it best.

I am usually happier for it.

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Bearers and Defenders of Life: Conclusion

Posted in Biblical manhood & womanhood, Faith & Practice, Life issues, Vocation, tagged civilization, created order, Deborah, equality, God's Word, human life, women in combat, worldview on February 2, 2013| 1 Comment »

Deborah was a judge and prophetess. To this, many of my gender quickly add, “Deborah was also a courageous military leader in battle.” But, what does God’s Word tell us?

Let’s Think About It

Q: Deborah was a prophetess. A prophet or prophetess speaks on behalf of another but, as far as I can determine, not as a public speaker for God during a congregational gathering. A prophetess might give counsel, settle disputes, or offer thankfulness and praise to God. Deborah was also a judge. What was the condition of Israel in the years prior to her leadership (Judges 2:13, 16-17; 3:7, 13; 4:1-4)?

A: Martin Luther took note of the service of Deborah and other women as rulers. He said that they “have been very good at management.” He suggested that women’s leadership in other areas of life might motivate men to properly fulfill their responsibility. It is important to note that Deborah became a judge after the people of Israel repeatedly “did what was evil in the sight of the Lord.” Evil, in every way, opposes God’s created order for men, women, and the benefit of a thriving society.

Q: We may think that Deborah was sent by God into combat against Israel’s enemy. But, is this the case?

A: A careful read of Judges 4:4-15 reveals that God did not ask Deborah to carry the sword in combat. He asked Barak through Deborah. Victory was promised to Barak if only he would obey, but he chose not to. Barak said he would do the Lord’s bidding only if Deborah went with him into battle. Deborah told Barak that the glory in battle would not be his because the enemy Sisera would be delivered “into the hand of a woman” (v. 9). The woman Deborah refers to in this verse is not herself, but Jael. Dr. Vogel explains: “Deborah accompanied Barak to Mount Tabor, but no further. Consistent with Deuteronomy, she donned no battle gear nor engaged in the conflict. Barak (unaccompanied by Deborah) led 10,000 men into the valley to a resounding victory. The rebuke for Barak’s recalcitrance was rendered when a heroic woman, Jael, was given the opportunity to slay the fleeing enemy commander, Sisera. She did this in her own tent, with household equipment [a tent peg], not as a warrior on a battlefield.” (“Women in Combat: Two Views,” The Lutheran Witness, May 2003, p. 16-20)

Q: Deborah served as a judge and prophetess. She counseled Barak as the leader of Israel’s troops. Yet, how did she sum up her role in Judges 5:7?

A: Deborah was praised for her leadership, yet she does not sing about being raised up as a warrior. She sings of being a “mother in Israel.” Though no biological children of Deborah are mentioned, she is an encourager and helper for her people. Scripture, like much of human culture, consistently distinguishes the roles of men and women.

Q: Specialist Hollie Vallence, quoted in Part 1 of this series, was asked by her country to sacrifice home and family. In doing so, she explained that she had to build an “ice wall around her heart.” Is this consistent with God’s design? What are the consequences for women, men, and children if a mother hardens her heart?

A: Luther noted that a woman is merciful by nature because she is born to show mercy and to cherish just as a man is born to protect. This is why, Luther says, no living creature has more mercy than a woman, particularly in respect for her infant. Men are known to focus on one project, putting all others aside, until it is finished. In times of war, this allows them to leave their home and family for periods of time in order to “do their duty.” It is not that they always feel brave and fearless, but perhaps their vocation of steward and protector allows them to do what they need to do for wives, sons and daughters; indeed, for future generations. They are free to accomplish what is necessary, knowing that their children are in the capable and loving care of mothers. Here, then, is the woman partnering with her husband and serving her country by guarding hearth and home while he is doing battle with the enemy of that home. In war, as in work, men understand other men. When a country is serious about winning victory over its enemy, it brings well-trained men together, with no distractions, to focus on the job at hand. These men may return home “changed,” but most can resume life as usual. Mothers, as explained by Hollie Vallence, are not programmed to put distance between themselves and young children. Dr. Vogel offers wisdom: “If God is indifferent to the woman-warrior concept and a woman chooses to serve in a noncombatant role, God is not offended. If, however, God is not indifferent to the woman warrior concept, and a woman seeks service as a combatant, does she not become a victim of her own will and disobedient to that of God?” Is there a problem with women in the military? No, but as in any workplace, there will certainly be a changed environment and cautions to heed.

Q: Will God bless a people or a nation whose men send women to the front lines of battle? Will He bless the men (defenders of life) who send women (bearers of life) to meet the enemy? To be shot at, brutalized, or sacrificed in the name of “equality” or “rights?”

A: God was not pleased with the man who used Deborah as a kind of “human shield.” That is because the Groom of the Church does not stand behind his Bride. He stands in front of her. Small tribes and great countries who honor the human rule of chivalry understand that great sacrifice may be necessary in order to protect mothers of children for they are a people’s future.

Conclusion

It is not that God wants men to die, but that He entrusts to them the noble role of protector and defender. As the Man of Sacrifice, Jesus led the way into battle. He did not send others. Jesus faced the greatest weapon of mass destruction – the anger of God upon sinful people. He did not stand behind “human shields,” letting you and me die so that He might avoid pain and death. In the battle for the life of His Bride, Jesus “took the bullet.” He died so that we might live.

Jesus is both a model and Savior for men and women. He wants us to follow Him and imitate His behavior. Sinful as we are, we will want to test the boundaries. We will put ourselves in God’s place, but such pride can put others at risk. Is all hopeless? No! The One who faced our enemy – and won the eternal victory – reaches to us with nail-pierced hands, saying: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that you may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (14:6).

“Bearers and Defenders of Life” is Lesson 11 of
Men, Women, and Relationships, first published in 1999 and revised in 2004.
(Lutherans For Life, Concordia Publishing House)

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Bearers and Defenders of Life (Part 3)

Posted in Biblical manhood & womanhood, Faith & Practice, Life issues, Vocation, tagged equality, God's Word, Jesus Christ, sexual abuse, Titanic chivalry, women in combat, worldview on January 30, 2013| 1 Comment »

Who lobbies for women in combat? Is it with national security… or something else… in mind?

In light of terrorists and all-male armies around the world, should we regard serving in combat as an “equal job opportunity?”

Elaine Donnelly and the Center for Military Readiness, released a 42-page report mid-January exploring the unintended consequences of putting women on the front lines. “It will do great harm to women in the military, especially those who will find themselves in the infantry – something there’s no indication they wanted.” Mrs. Donnelly asks an important question: “Why is the Secretary of Defense ramming this on through?”

This, says Mrs. Donnelly, “is social engineering to achieve a political end in the name of diversity”. . . [but] it is unfair to the women, it’s unfair to the men, it’s problematic for the readiness and efficiency and effectiveness of infantry battalions.

Let’s Think About It

Q: Civilized cultures have always trained men to protect and defend women and children. Christian fathers who follow the example set by Jesus mentor sons to be gentlemen and treat girls and women with upmost respect and care. However, the effective utilization of women in combat requires that men put aside such behavior in order to treat a woman like just another man. What kind of culture does this create?

A: Even non-Christians note that groups tend to disintegrate and face extinction when societies fail to train their men to protect and defend women. Men on board the Titanic gave their lives for women, not because they were all Christian men, but because Biblical teaching for society had become the “law of the sea.” The titanic chivalry of “women and children [into the lifeboats] first” flows from Ephesians 5:25. There is also the issue of mentoring. When we focus on “it’s my right” or perpetuate the myth that “equal means ‘being the same,’” how are we instructing a younger generation? What is a young man taught to think about women as they endure the rigors of military training side by side? What do boys learn from fathers who intentionally put women in harm’s way? What is the carry-over to life outside the military? If society will not tolerate male aggression toward women in everyday life, is it wise – or necessary – to make an exception in combat? A civilization that wants to thrive does well to think beyond the present to the future.

Q: What are the realities of both training and battle conditions?

A: We may want to envision pleasant images of skilled women managing high tech equipment, young men and women successfully practicing self-control in close quarters, and enlisted men snapping to the attention of female drill sergeants, but evidence reveals much to the contrary. There are reported increases of sexual abuse, unfaithfulness of spouses, unintended pregnancy, a supposed “need” for easier access to abortion, and deployment of single moms. Jessica Lynch, pulled from her Humvee and taken prisoner in Iraq, was raped and sodomized by her captors (I Am A Soldier, Too; the biography of Jessica Lynch by Rick Bragg).

Q: “Equal means ‘being the same’” may sound good, but can we really ignore the differences between male and female anatomy? Mrs. Donnelly says, “Women don’t have an equal opportunity to survive in combat.” Why might this be? How might the anatomy of a woman put her more at risk than a man?

A: In seeking a bush for privacy, how does a woman avoid sniper fire and landmines? Men can quickly unzip and zip, but is it the same for women? In addition to dignity and modesty, what about hygiene and gynecology? There are drugs that “shut down” a woman’s menstrual cycle, but is this natural and healthy? Feminists and social engineers may deny the differences between men and women, but will the enemy? How might a female prisoner of war be treated differently than a man? If he is obedient to his calling as a defender of women, what lengths might a male soldier go to in protecting a female soldier?

Q: Rev. F.A. Hertwig asks, “If there is a threatening noise at the front door, who do you expect should be the first to investigate? Will the man sit back and send his wife, daughter or mother while he goes to the basement?” (“Letters” in The Lutheran Witness, June 2003, p. 4) When Eve stood in harm’s way before Satan, how did Adam respond (Genesis 3:6, 12)? What is the significance of these verses when it comes to the discussion of women in combat?

A: Genesis 3:6 reveals that Adam sinned when he failed to remember God’s Word and use it in the battle between life and death. Adam failed to protect his wife from Satan’s attack. He failed to bring order out of chaos for the sake of future generations. Rev. Hertwig, a pastor in Lincoln, Missouri, explains Genesis 3:12 in this way: “When God stood at the door, a confused and fallen Adam sent his wife, Eve, to face the catastrophe. He chose to deny the one who had come from his side. For the rest of his 930 years, he lived with daily contrition each time he looked at his bosom friend. His protecting embrace had all the more fervor mixed with regret that he had failed.” Rev. Hertwig continues, “For a man to see his wife, mother or daughter writhing in the mud with a bayonet rifle is repulsive to the core. When Adam retreats, yes even in the face of God, he has in a miserable moment surrendered to the devil. To venture the ‘absence’ of specifics on our subject is an accommodating detail to the devil’s question, ‘Yea, hath God said?’” (The Lutheran Witness, “Letters,” June/July 2003)

Deborah is held up by many Christians as the Old Testament example of a woman in combat. But, was she? Part 4, the last in this series of posts, will take a closer look at Deborah and Jael.

“Bearers and Defenders of Life” is Lesson 11 of
Men, Women and Relationships first published in 1999 and revised in 2004.
If you’re curious about this collection of 12 studies on
Biblical manhood and womanhood, please contact
Lutherans For Life or Concordia Publishing House.

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Bearers and Defenders of Life (Part 2)

Posted in Biblical manhood & womanhood, Life issues, Vocation, tagged equality, God's Word, military readiness, sexual equity, women in combat, worldview on January 27, 2013| 1 Comment »

Americans have developed a bad habit of turning social experiments into policy and code. Do you know what I’m talking about?

A social experiment arrogantly opposes God’s created order. It has the look and feel of liberty but, in reality, puts human life at risk. Abortion and the “marriage” of two men or two women are social experiments. So is the political correctness of putting women into combat. Social experiments are reckless and foolish.

Let’s Think About It

During His life on earth, Jesus honored and elevated women in remarkable new ways. Certainly, He could have chosen both men and women to serve as His apostles. He did not. Jesus was not only aware of the created differences of male and female (after all, He was present at creation Genesis 1:26), but of their differing yet complementary roles and vocations. Equality does not mean that everyone does the same thing, but that male and female each have the opportunity to serve God and others according to their design.

Q: How might the Christian woman consider serving in combat in this light?

A: We might begin with some personal introspection. I know that God created me. I am His design for His purpose. But, like Eve before me, I am tempted to doubt the Creator and, in fact, position myself as lord of my own life. My choices are too easily influenced by personal feelings, circumstance, convenience, pride, envy, short-sightedness, and search for identity.

Dr. Leroy Vogel, retired U.S. Navy chaplain and professor emeritus at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, writes, “While it may be argued that there is no specific Scriptural passage that forbids a woman to serve as warrior, the apparent accommodation of some within the Church to the spirit of the age that turns warrior into a unisex role would appear, at a minimum, to be a departure from the divine wisdom of the Creator regarding the differentiation of the sexes.”

Q: What is the issue – sexual equality or ordered equality?

A: Dr. Vogel notes that when we ignore the Biblical account of creation, sexual differentiation and roles are viewed as “social constructs and, if society has created the distinctions, society can abolish them.” To overturn the created order of differentiation and roles is to abandon Biblical faith. “Scripture is clear,” writes Dr. Vogel. “God made two sexes [genders], equal but with assigned roles. Sexual equality is not the issue; ordered equality is. Scripture and the tradition of the Church assign to man the role of defender, protector, warrior. To woman is given the role of life-giver, nurturer, sustainer.” Dr. Vogel offers a curious Hebrew interpretation of a Deuteronomy 22:5 (NIV translation): “A woman must not wear men’s clothing . . . for the Lord your God detests anyone who does this.” Dr. Vogel submits that this verse is about more than cross-dressing. He explains that “men’s clothing” in Hebrew is translated keli-gerber. Keli denotes “equipment,” specifically a soldier’s equipment. The Hebrew noun geber denotes “mighty man” or “hunter” or “warrior.” So, writes, Dr. Vogel, “a legitimate translation of the phrase uses language of a decidedly military flavor: ‘No woman shall put on the gear of a warrior.’” It seems that the church fathers John Calvin and Martin Luther agreed. “Luther knew Hebrew,” writes Dr. Vogel, “and comments on the verse as follows: ‘A woman shall not bear the weapons of a man . . . it is improper . . . Through this law [God] reproaches any nation in which this custom is observed.’” Why, you ask? Dr. Vogel answers, “Because God created male and female with specific and complementary characteristics. It is in their relationship with one another that the two constitute the full expression of humanity.” (“Women in Combat: Two Views,” The Lutheran Witness, May 2003, p. 16-20.)

Q: What is the significance of Genesis 3:20 for this issue?

A: Woman’s glory is found in her God-given role as life-giver and nurturer. Dr. Vogel paraphrases Luther, saying that “women were created not to kill and destroy, but to be a vessel for life.” A culture that encourages women to destroy life is a culture that rebels against God’s design for His creation. A culture that doubts the created differences between the “defender” of life (male) and “bearer” of life (female) is a culture that has been deceived by Satan’s question: “Did God really say . . .?” (Genesis 3:1).

Q: George Gilder writes, “The ancient tradition against the use of women in combat embodies the deepest wisdom of the human race. It expresses the most basic imperatives of group survival: a nation or tribe that allows the loss of large numbers of its young women runs the risk of becoming permanently depopulated. The youthful years of women, far more than of men, are precious and irreplaceable.” (Men and Marriage, p. 135). What brings a society to the place where it forgets or ignores this truth? What does the future hold for such a society?

A: There are two worldviews: God’s and all others. The Christian who trusts God’s Word can be confident that the Creator of life has a way that things of life work best. Consider the words of God to Job (Job 38-41). God speaks His worldview to us through His Word – from Genesis to Revelation. He speaks His Word to us through Jesus Christ who, literally, is the Word become flesh (John 1). But, perhaps, when we are blessed with resources and exist without threat of enemy at our door, we can become complacent and self-absorbed. At such times, might our hearts and minds be influenced more by the foolishness of the world than the wisdom of God? What does 1 Corinthians 1:16-30 say about wisdom? What does the future hold for people who seek after personal desires or the world’s view? “. . . [T]he world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:15-17).

Before moving on to Part 3, here’s something to ponder. Edwin Feulner, president of the Heritage Foundation, writes, “The reason we all know the idea of women playing pro football is absurd is because we’re serious about football. It’s tough game, and if you allow yourself to be distracted by irrelevant issues like ‘sexual equity’ when you should be making your team the toughest it can possibly be, you’re going to get creamed. So why are we letting feminists impose ‘sexual equity’ on an area that makes football look like a tea party; something that is not a game, but a matter of life and death for our nation as well as for the ‘players,’ namely, our military?”

“Bearers and Defenders of Life” is Lesson 11 of
Men, Women, and Relationships first published in 1999 and revised in 2004.
If you’re curious about this collection of 12 studies on
Biblical manhood and womanhood, please contact
Lutherans For Life or Concordia Publishing House.

Read Full Post »

Bearers and Defenders of Life (Part 1)

Posted in Biblical manhood & womanhood, Life issues, Vocation, tagged created order, equality, God's Word, women in combat, worldview on January 27, 2013| 1 Comment »

“Women in combat” is a life issue. It is an issue to which God speaks. In this post and several to follow, I would like to offer questions, answers, and commentary for Christians to ponder.

The question, I think, that we need to be asking is not: “Can women be in combat?” The question is: “Should women be in combat?” I don’t know about you, but I’m looking for, shall we say, better ammunition for my argument than “if men can do it, so can women.”

Bearers and Defenders of Life

Discussions of men and women in combat bring mixed reactions. Some people believe that women do not belong in combat because they do not have the physical capacity to endure the rigorous standards of training or the hardships of war. Some believe that it is a woman’s “right” to defend her country and that she can do so as well as any man. Besides, they insist, modern warfare seldom involves the physical force of front-line battle

Let’s put reason and logic to work: Consider the physical differences between men and women, such as their bone and muscle structures. Gender-integrated basic training undermines rigorous standards. But, this argument can be countered with examples of women who have developed body strength and can keep up with a man.

Consider the sexual attraction between men and women. Gender-integrated training and combat duty creates an environment in which men and women are vulnerable to sexual misconduct and abuse. But, this argument can be countered with practiced self-control.

This debate deserves more than opinion. It deserves more than a simple “it’s my right.”

So, what are real soldiers saying? A classmate of my son’s served on board ship in the Persian Gulf. In a conversation, this 21-year-old woman confessed a breakdown in respect for both women and men. Everything, she said, took on a “sexual connotation,” modesty was nearly “impossible,” and the rate of pregnancies on board ship was “higher than on shore assignment.”

Specialist Hollie Vallance was quoted in the Dallas Morning News (2-20-91) before being shipped to the Gulf War. She said, “I never really thought about going into combat. I never dreamed anything like this would happen in my lifetime, let alone right after I had my first child.” She continued. “I’ve built an ice wall around my heart to try to cool the pain, and sometimes I worry that [my husband and baby daughter] won’t be able to melt it away.”

In a commissioned survey of women in the Army, 79% of enlisted women and 71% of female noncommissioned officers said they wouldn’t volunteer for combat. Only 10% of the female privates and corporals agreed with this statement: “I think that women should be treated exactly like men and serve in combat just like men.” Less than one-quarter of mid-grade sergeants answered yes. (The Washington Times, 10-5-98).

A young husband and relative of mine serving in the Persian Gulf was forced to share his tent with a woman soldier. He told me “it was not a good situation any way you chose to look at it.”

Pfc. Jessica Lynch and Army Specialist Shoshana Johnson returned home from the War in Iraq in the spring of 2003 as heroines. Although neither of them was technically in a combat position, they were, nonetheless, placed so close to the front line of battle that they were each captured by the enemy. After being rescued, neither of them, it seems, wanted to be “poster girls” for women in combat.

Is there a problem with women serving in the military? I don’t think so. A strong, effective military respects and utilizes the abilities of women in medicine, teaching, and tactical maneuvers. But, to pretend that women are no different from men, place them together in close quarters, lower standards of physical endurance, and compromise training is to place men, women, families, and country in harm’s way.

The question we need to be asking is not: “Can women be in combat?” The question is: “Should women be in combat?”

In the end, it really doesn’t matter what our opinion might be or how we feel about it. What does matter is what God says.

In gaining perspective on women in combat, do you find significance in the name of the first woman? Genesis 3:20 tells us that Adam named his wife Eve. Eve, in Hebrew, means “life.” How this must have angered Satan who despises the humans that God so loves. But, it was God’s plan that Eve became the mother of every living person.

During a Titus 2 Retreat, some women will tell me that having women in combat must be o.k. because, after all, Deborah went into battle against the enemy of the Israelites. But, have they read the whole account found in Judges 4:4-22? Did Deborah lead the troops into battle or fulfill the role of encourager? Why didn’t the man Barak receive glory for the way his enemy died? Was the enemy killed by a woman with a weapon on the battlefield… or not? (Be patient. We’ll come back to this in Part 3.)

The prophet Nehemiah told the men to do battle for their families. He said, “Do not be afraid of them [enemies]. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes (Nehemiah 4:1-14).

Want to continue this discussion with some Q & A? Then please continue to Part 2 of this series.

“Bearers and Defenders of Life” is Lesson 11 of
Men, Women, and Relationships first published in 1999 and revised in 2004.
If you’re curious about this collection of 12 studies on
Biblical manhood and womanhood, please contact
Lutherans For Life or Concordia Publishing House.

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Part II: Circle of Love & Respect

Posted in Biblical manhood & womanhood, Faith & Practice, Life issues, Relationships, Vocation, tagged created order, encouragement, equality, family, Genesis, home, humility, husband, Jesus Christ, man, marriage, patience, selflessness, service to others, teamwork, wife, woman on June 24, 2011| Leave a Comment »

The question is: “Who steps first into the circle of love and respect: The husband or wife?”

It helps to remember who created that “circle.”

God did. And, true to His design, there is order. God created human beings in His image, but He did not make them to be the same. They are equal, but different. God did not create woman at the same time as man, in the same way, or for the same purpose. In fact, God revealed to man that he was incomplete. “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him” (Genesis 2:18). “Fit for him” literally means: “Like his opposite.” (Think of this! Anatomically. Hormonally. Psychologically.)

Is it significant that woman was made for man? To complete him? Be his helper? Yes. The created order shows that man was to be the steward over all and she would help, assist, encourage, comfort, and be his advocate. (The word “helper,” by the way, is not dissimilar to the word used by Jesus to describe the Holy Spirit [John 14:16,26). In her privileged role, she is free to help without any initiative on his part. She doesn’t wait for him to ask before she offers encouragement, comfort, or good counsel.

God’s created order is a reflection of Himself. He is one God, yet three persons. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are equal, but with different functions. There is headship in this orderly structure… and there is submission. The same is true with male and female. Even after sin spoiled God’s perfect design, the order of creation remained in place for our benefit. Sin broke man and woman’s relationship with each other and with God. But, in mercy, God used the submission of the Son, Jesus Christ, to save His Bride, the Church, and serve with humility. A woman might resent the created order. A man might abuse it. But, whenever it is honored, it continues to serve family and society well.

Doesn’t the created order beg the question from a leadership perspective? Shouldn’t the man be the first to step into the Ephesians circle? No, not necessarily. Even if he is stepping out front to fight wolves at the door, she is fully engaged as his ally and encourager. In God’s design, the man is responsible for bringing order out of chaos, but she helps that happen. Regardless of their different functions, both husband and wife can practice loving and respecting at all times.

There is no measuring stick. No fairness meter. In a godly home, neither husband nor wife keep track of what the other does or doesn’t do. Both have the same goal: To do all they do to God’s glory. And, when they fail, they apologize and forgive. Both take their sin baggage to the cross — and leave it there.

Visits to the Cross happen all the time even in the best of marriages. Let me approach this from a woman’s perspective. Helping is what I naturally do. But, flawed by sin, this becomes difficult. My husband might not think he needs help. Might not invite help. Might resent help. Might interpret my help to mean he needs “fixing.” So, how do I enter the “circle of love and respect” at such a time? Hopefully, I haven’t disengaged from the “circle.” Hopefully, I am faithful in offering encouragement. If I need to help, but he’s too prideful to accept it, I need to take care. Be sensitive. I may need to move slowly. Mary told Joseph that she had been visited by an angel with news of her pregnancy, but Joseph was of the mind to quietly divorce her. In their “circle of love and respect,” Mary understood that it wasn’t up to her to convince Joseph. She needed to wait on God. In His time, God helped Joseph get his arms around the situation. A woman is helping — in one way or the other — all the time. She may be helping to good… or bad. To build up… or tear down. To encourage… or discourage. To trust God’s plan… or shape her own.

Ultimately, two are better than one. One may fall, the other lifts up. One may be overwhelmed, a team of two stands firm. One alone is cold, two together stay warm. One might fall out of the “circle” momentarily, the other welcomes him/her back in. Woven with God, both are able to engage in the “circle” freely and unconditionally.

The pure circle of love and respect is tainted on this earth. We too easily think of ourselves first. How we’re not being served… or how we’re doing all the serving. But, challenged to “shine like lights” and “hold fast to the word of life,” we do what we do for Christ — even if it means being “poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of our faith” (Philippians 2:14-17). Faith produces a sacrificial attitude for husbands and wives that frees us up to think less about self and more about other.

With this attitude, one might even forget who started, paused, stopped, or re-started the circle to go ’round.

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