Cheryl Schatz

Jessica,
I was a complementarian for most of my life as I was raised that way. I also don’t think that Piper would consider himself “submitting” to Noel, but to me that is an evidence of the pride that he has admitted. When one sets aside their own best interests to help another for the other person’s benefit it doesn’t matter if one calls this a “sacrifice” or “submission”. It is the same thing and just as wives can sacrifice for their husbands, so husbands can submit to their wives. However for a male to deny that it could be any kind of submission speaks to me of a pride still lurking within that says the action would qualify as something only women are to do as if women are somehow beneath a man.

The fact is that we are all called to the place o submission in the body of Christ. The body cannot function properly unless the parts submit to the service that each part provides. Can you imagine if the heart were to say that I refuse to submit to receive blood that has been cleaned by the kidney’s? There would be death instead of life. Each part must serve the other body parts and each body part must submit to receive the life giving benefit that the others provide.

For one to say that I will do what is needed but just don’t call it submission, shows an attitude that is not yet fully humble. Pride can rear up in us at any time and we need to deal with it, but the pride that some of these complementarian leaders have can be especially hard to manage. Their exalted position on top of their natural pride as a male can be a daunting task to conquer their pride. But we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. And Christ is an excellent example of a male who lived a life of submission to the full extent of His complete sacrifice of His life. The fact that John Piper recognizes that he has a pride issue and is taking the time necessary to deal with is and to lift his wife up in love is a very commendable act.

I am pleased when complementarians come here to dialog in a respectful manner. It is a good reminder that no secondary issue like this should divide us. We are joined and knitted together in love with one Lord Jesus as our common source.