Cheryl Schatz

NN,
I like the way Elastigirl responded. It seems to me that when we think we have a higher rank than someone else and thus have a basis to claim an authority to make a decision against the will of another, it is an easy case-closed, close-up-the-shop scenario. But when there is no higher rank, what do we do? We actually have to work hard for agreement and resolution. I believe that this is what we need to do more and that “pulling rank” is taking the easy road out.

I appreciate that you tried to answer my question with an example of men serving in the coastguard, but this doesn’t apply to a marriage.

How about the example of a man who hears a great plea from a church who needs money and he decides to sell their house and give everything they have to help pay off the church loan. The wife resists and he cannot sell the property without her signature. He submits to her and they stay in their home.

Or how about a man who is in trouble financially and he knows that he can’t hold off forever but he can keep the dogs at bay for a time by mortgaging the house to the hilt along with everything they own. The wife resists but the husband overrules her will and forces her to sign. He has taken authority over her and his decision stands. Within a short period of time his business goes under and they lose everything.

These are real life scenarios and the outcome is also real. One husband submitted to his wife and the other one did not. One took authority against his wife’s will and the other one did not. Did the one who submitted to his wife and saved his home sin against God by not taking authority over his wife? Or did the man who overruled his wife against her better judgment and against her will act like a real man taking his trump card out and forcing the decision his way? Is this the way that Jesus acts?