tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post9031663789021112242..comments2023-09-12T11:31:20.729-05:00Comments on Straight-Friendly: Too Slick to HandleTimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01271248501086241494noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post-42665399490944908932011-01-21T16:08:36.521-06:002011-01-21T16:08:36.521-06:00Jake, thank you so much. (I'm glad you let Cod...Jake, thank you so much. (I'm glad you let Cody and the pets sleep, though!) With both of us coming from traditions that tend to read and do--rather than read, reason, and do--you understand how liberating it is to explore texts like this, which triggered rather severe, overly simplistic teachings in some places. (Grant's comment echoes this tendency, too.)<br /><br />Phil, another thanks for the kind words. I don't think it's possible not to cringe at this passage, which is always a good thing, as it invites us to dig under what troubles us to see if there's anything valuable going on. A lot of times, there isn't--it's just anachronistic stuff that serves no use. But every now and then, as happens here, our efforts are rewarded. It's the whole baby and bath water thing. If we write it off, we lose the beauty buried beneath it.<br /><br />PS: Egregious - I love that word; such a polite way of saying "really bad." And Cody and Max are loving the flakes as they blow by the windows; Walt and I laugh that snowfall is "cat TV."<br /><br />Grant, I'm humbled. As I re-read Ephesians 5, the first flare for me was how this whole (alleged) marriage doctrine just appears from nowhere--without any mention of a problem that it (allegedly) addresses. Paul doesn't tie his comments to behavior, so it's apparently not intended for direction or discipline. Taken with what immediately precedes it, it's clearly metaphor. That's when v29-30 jumped out. It was one of those "Aha!" moments that we all love. As I mentioned above, I've grown up hearing the interpretation you describe, and I've always thought, "That's the recipe for a miserable marriage"--mostly based on my parents', which is definitely a partnership of equals, helpers to one another. And, for marriage and all relationships, it's really what Paul's describing. Too bad for us that he used actual marriage (of his day) to explain it!<br /><br />Thanks to all of you for adding your thoughts here. <br /><br />Blessings,<br />TimTimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01271248501086241494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post-21159513090192674002011-01-21T09:50:09.561-06:002011-01-21T09:50:09.561-06:00"...our revulsion at Paul’s misogynist slant ..."...our revulsion at Paul’s misogynist slant holds him to a cultural standard completely alien to his time. What we’re asking of him via hindsight exceeds his experience."<br /><br />Tim, this is probably the best study of this passage I've seen. Well done. I've too often heard it taken out of context and presented as a model for marriage... Ouch!Grantnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post-82970071633629220962011-01-21T06:56:17.656-06:002011-01-21T06:56:17.656-06:00Tim, You show great courage in taking this one on ...Tim, You show great courage in taking this one on ! It is a passage that always has made me cringe but I have tried to accept that it is just an anachronism born out of it's own time. Your interpretation works well.<br />I had to look up egregious - well worth it ! Thank you. <br />By the way, how are Cody and Max doing in the snow ?<br /><br />BlessingsBlue Eyed Ennishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06181985609681328032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post-48376196206643223802011-01-21T03:25:39.565-06:002011-01-21T03:25:39.565-06:00If I wasn't worried I'd freak out the dogs...If I wasn't worried I'd freak out the dogs and wake Cody, I would literally applaud. I'll have to settle for a golf-clap instead.<br /><br />Wow-za, Tim! A FAN-frickin'-TASTIC post!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com