Synergy: Session Five

Table TalkTable

1. TalkHow does the current culture support/challenge egalitarianism?
2. What are the pros/cons of an egalitarian view?
3. Why do you think there is a growing debate in Christian circles about the marital roles?

The Structure of a Marriage
Highly Debated IssueBetween the culture and ChristianityWithin Christianity:

1. Egalitarians (Biblical Equality)
2. Complementarians (Headship)

Egalitarian Summary

1. Man & woman created with complete equality. There is no hierarchy before the Fall.
2. Gender hierarchy is a result of sin
3. In Christ there are NO distinctions. The hierarchy of the curse in no more.
4. The NT teaches mutual submission in marriage.

Complementarian Summary

1. “Both Adam and Eve were created in God's image, equal before God as persons and distinct in their manhood and womanhood. Distinctions in masculine and feminine roles are ordained by God as part of the created order”.
2. “Adam's headship in marriage was established by God before the Fall, and was not a result of sin”.
3. “The Fall introduced distortions into the relationships between men and women”. “In the home, the husband's loving, humble headship tends to be replaced by domination or passivity; the wife's intelligent, willing submission tends to be replaced by usurpation or servility”.
4. “Redemption in Christ aims at removing the distortions introduced by the curse”. “In the family, husbands should forsake harsh or selfish leadership and grow in love and care for their wives; wives should forsake resistance to their husbands' authority and grow in willing, joyful submission to their husbands' leadership.”

@home.project
Have a date night and discuss the following:

1. Which view have you been taught thus far?
2. Do you feel pressure regarding the view you currently hold?
3. As a couple, do you agree on the same view?