Quote:
Originally Posted by Aquila
So essentially... the Christian husband has authority in the eyes of Heaven only(?). Maybe I'm not understanding you. Because frankly, in Western society if a wife becomes a little devil... unless she cheats on him, the Christian man is truly hamstrung. He might be able to withhold sex from her... but then he gives her a right to grievance, he isn't taken seriously. And some women would simply wait him out... because women have the advantage with sex in most cases that I'm aware of... it's the man who will break down for the sake of relations.
But all of that really isn't the heart of my point/question. What is the CHURCH doing to help men find male identity and authority as it relates to the church and the Christian home? What has the church done for men lately?
Perhaps in the West... even the church is against the wall. Much like with teaching on disciplining children. The church might advocate spanking... but the wrong person hear about a parent spanking their child and it's suddenly a case for CPS. The church talks about manhood... but beyond "outings" there's really very little that calls to the primal soul of the Christian male. The primal soul that longs to roar and be heard. To hunt and to take prey. The desire to be victorious. The desire to truly "govern" the home. That primal call to lead and to be followed. The primal need to be... respected.
Many men suffer from laziness. No doubt. However, I think that when it comes to men who have (or had) been attending church for longer periods of time... the issue is a broken spirit and confusion concerning their roll in both the church and the home. A lot of men find themselves sitting in their lazy boys because they aren't able to do much else without facing "a woman's fury". A wife can quickly inform her husband that he isn't going on the men's retreat... Summer cleaning is on the same weekend. lol And in church... they are expected to attend, sit, listen, do the obligatory shout and clap... then go home and keep momma happy. As a man... you have to essentially be quiet and do what your told from the Mrs... and the pulpit. While you're essentially required to make everyone happy and do what they require of you... Who is making you happy? Men are increasingly retreating into worlds of fantasy because in fantasy land they are powerful, desired, and respected. In real life... we're essentially... sider killers and heavy lifters for the Mrs. In many homes the Mrs. even demands to manage the bills. God forbid in these homes if the husband were to day, "Honey, you've been doing a great job. But... I think God desires me to manage the bills and regulate our spending." Boy oh boy... that man is going to get it! LOL
In a way... what does it mean to be a man? What's cool about being a guy? Eh... I don't buy tampons. That's about it. lol (jk)
What can the church give us who experience or have experienced this???
I hope I'm making some sense. I'm trying to put words to a very deep feeling/emotion. Something we men often struggle with. Maybe I'm doing a terrible job.  |
Remeber what Paul said. if an unsaved spouse decides to leave, let them.
The simple fact is, for Christians submitted to Christ, we do not have recourse outside of the Household of Faith. There is no Western Civilization code of conduct that applies. period.
You are in the church or you are not. if you are not, then you are subject to the constructs of the society you live in and you are stuck with ever wind that blows.
But within the Church, you are constrained by your faith and protected by your faith.
That is the beauty of submission to God. It frees you from the cultural rot.
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