Before I proceed, I'd like to extend the disclaimer that I have absolutely nothing against feminists. I used to be an ardent one myself. And currently, although I wouldn't categorize myself a feminist, I do retain certain parts of the ideology.
The Bible readings this Sunday included Ephesians 5:21-32. I must admit that this piece of Scripture used to rankle the feminist in me. Wives being exhorted to submit to their husbands in absolutely everything (vs.24: Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit fin everything to their husbands), was hard to swallow. The husband being the head of the wife, etc.
However, we need to understand what's required of the husband before hastening to react. Verse 25 says "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her". The sermon on Sunday explained that this love is:
i.caring
ii.unerring
iii.sacrificial
This love needs to be exactly the kind that Christ shows the church. How easy would it be for a man to love and unconditionally care for a wife who has been repeatedly unfaithful and stubborn, or take the blame of her wrongdoing on himself? Verse 28 further instructs husbands to love their wives as their own bodies. He can't beat or abuse her. He needs to care for her in the sacrificial and unerring way that Christ cares for the church. Wives need to be sacrificial in their decisions, husbands need to be sacrificial in their love. That's quite a demand!
This isn't to undermine the demand made of the wife. But if you think the wife's got a raw deal, the husband hasn't got it any easier! What's demanded of either partner may be different, but by no means unequal.
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