Pensees: Quote of the Week

Bob, here is another one you might like:

http://cindyswanslife.blogspot.com/2005/07/faithful-women-my-interview-with-noel.html

“The whole message of feminist egalitarianism is that there is really nothing extraordinary about women.”

MacArthur really missed the boat on this one.

Cindy,

Thanks for the link. After reading your post, I think I’ll hunt for Noel’s book.

MACARTHUR said:
“The whole message of feminist egalitarianism is that there is really nothing extraordinary about women.”

NIKOLAI said:
“MacArthur really missed the boat on this one.”

It seems to me Dr. MacArthur is pointing out that it is the feminist egalitarians who are not only missing the boat, but sawing off their own legs from underneath them, leveling the playing field, cheapening the priceless, etcetera.

Can you clarify what you mean?

Cheapening the priceless? Looks like you are on the same boat as MacArthur.

And it looks like you truly do not understand what feminism has done to feminity historically, nor the havoc it is still accomplishing today.

The word “backfire” comes to mind. Women have been harmed, not helped, by the feministic agenda. Women have been DE-valued rather than pedestaled by it.

Contrary to broadbrushing beliefs, the alternative to feminism is not necessarily the devaluation or demeaning of women. I’m neither a doormat nor a goddess. I don’t have any reason to feel discontent with my gender, nor do I feel an inkling of an inclination to play one-upmanship with the men around me. This woman is glad there are still men who are man enough to say what MacArthur is saying.

Take a look around. I don’t mind being a stowaway on MacArthur’s boat (the one you originally said he missed?) if it’s an ark in a flood.

I think you are confusing radical feminism with conservative evangelical egalitarianism. I am quite sure my wife is glad that I am man enough to realize she is my equal. Her thoughts and opinions count the same as mine in our marriage. We come to decisions together. I don’t have a monopoly on correct decision making and neither does she. There is no lording over her, and no lording over me in our household. Mutual love and submission to one another is key. We already have a Lord, and neither of us desire two lords :) Man and woman are both extraordinary in that we both are made in the image of our Creator God. I might add that affirming that all of humankind is extraordinary does not cheapen either gender. I urge you to take a closer look at the whole of Scripture beginning with Genesis instead of focusing on one or two “problem” texts.

I think I agree, Nikolai. I just wonder what you think MacArthur meant. Although, I’m wondering if you mean that “egalitarianism” means the obliteration of roles in the church, etc. If you mean it as you described, I think that pretty well sums up the way my wife and I function as a couple. There is, indeed, a mutual love and submission.

I had assumed MacArthur was speaking of Christian egalitarianism. Be as it may be, we are probably on two different poles approaching this. I assume you would have “Christian” in quotes when using the term. I think he was talking about secular feminism, but this this was a semantic misinterpretation on my part (though MacArthur is probably employing the wrong term, not me). As for mutual agreement between us, we don’t agree as I do not agree with you, Joy, Piper, Grudem, MacArthur, et. al on this. That was what my original response was reacting toward. However, it looks like my reaction was misguided as MacArthur was not dealing with Christian egalitarianism but secular feminism. Hope that clarifies. Though we don’t agree on this, I hope I can continue to react and respond to your blog. I find your comments particularly edifying.

that clarifies immensely. i understand where you’re coming from now. thanks! =}