Hey Wes! <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/coffee2.gif" alt="" />
I noticed you quoted from the TNIV which has been labeled by some the "gender neutral" version.
Yes, my quoting from the TNIV was no accident, and I have alluded to my views on it in
another thread. Though most of your questions appear somewhat rhetorical, I'll nevertheless respond to them in short order:
Can and should we (the church) first acknowledge our own faults in denying God’s Word for not being more clear on this issue?
Yes!
Certainly we must ask ourselves the questions about "how we are raising our daughters?"
Indeed!
But are we failing to show them God's plan for men and women which is complementary or are they being taught to compete with men for the roles men play in the home, church, and society?
Yes! And Yes!
If we are letting our godless society teach them a different choice who's to blame?
We are!
Since there seems to be a lot of material out there, what should be the response of the organized church? Should this be a matter we insist our legislators address or should we remain silent?
I think our response should be to denounce and resist it, especially when "conservative" legislators come cozying up to us for our "values" votes. It also needs to be addressed by pastors and elders in local churches to their congregations, BEFORE female members consider signing up for National Guard or Armed Forces training or service. Since combat is now a VERY likely possibility, our responses must take account of this fact. Here is where "patriotism" and being a good, red-blooded, red state, Toby Keith listening American may come into serious conflict with being a good biblical Christian. During the entire Jessica Lynch episode the main local Christian radio station in the town where I live said NOTHING negative or critical about women serving in combat roles or too close to combat or about gender integration in the military. It was all positive, heart-warming, all-American, feel-good, we love ya Dubya, support our troops agitprop (I may sympathize with some of this, but it was all beside the point). Needless to say, about the only thing I listen to on that station now is John MacArthur's Grace to You and occasionally Hank Hanegraaff.
Certainly individuals, churches, and traditions will vary in terms of how much and in what ways they speak out or "insist" their legislators address this issue, but to "be silent" is to be sinful in my opinion.
In Christ
Brad Hammond
