Biblical equality: It is not just in Gal. 3:28

Imagine that you were part of a church that really took Luke 9:46-48 to heart.

46 An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. 47 Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. 48 Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.” – Luke 9

In this church, the highest priority is children’s church, training Sunday School teachers for children, getting children involved, training parents in how to treat children, speaking to children, and making sermons child-friendly. In fact, single adults and the aged feel neglected at your imagined church, because everything is done for the children!

Would your church, by agreeing children are important and acting by it, be obeying Jesus’ message in this passage?

No. Because

Rumors of God’s patriarchalism have been greatly exaggerated (Part 2, The weaker vessel)

I said in part 1 that much of what we regard as God’s patriarchal bend, is actually either a) the patriarchal bend of the society, reported and not endorsed in the Bible, or b) in the patriarchal-reading eyes of the beholder. That is also demonstrated in something  I read today.

Here, Eric Pazdziora explains 1 Peter 3:7:

Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

No, God is not patriarchal in what is really said there. Read Eric’s piece, and you will understand.

This word picture is beautiful. (The picture is not mine. If I could find who originally said it, I would have attributed it):

When hearing “the weaker vessel”, think of a strong mechanical hand, handling a valuable crystal glass so delicately that the glass don’t break or slip from its hand.