Mark

Dave,

Let’s assume your interpretation of Eph 5:21 is correct. You then say that your wife ought to submit to me the same as to you. Does that then mean marital rights? If not, why not? You and others have essentially said the same as me, in that it will depend on the relationship. Now therefore, submission cannot be reciprocal in all relationships. I cannot ask your wife to do something you may ask her to do. Not only that, but women are commanded to submit to their OWN husbands, not others. SO what egalitarians claim Eph 5:21 to mean is meaningless. None of us submit in the exact same ways to every other Christian- the relationship will dictate the submission. It seems that you are saying that ‘theoretically’ we should submit equally but in practice, no!

I wonder how decisions are made in your church? SInce you submit and then they submit and then you submit and then they submit and then you submit…. boy does it get repititous! At some point someone makes a decision. I think 1 Pet 5 should be helpful for you, to see that you do have authority as a shephard yet you must never abuse that to Lord it over others. An egal system just simply doesn’t work- nothing would ever be decided!