Kristen

Mark,
This is why I don’t focus my main arguments on the meaning of Greek words. My main arguments have to do with the whole-picture view of the Bible (creation in unity; fall and separation; restoration of unity in Christ); with how Paul himself used the word “head,” with what Paul and Peter DIDN’T say about husbandly authority (compared to what they had no problem saying about other forms of authority); with not reading things into the text that come from Church tradition; and with letting the Law of Love be our main guide (if you wouldn’t want someone insisting they have a birthright to rule you, don’t insist you have a birthright to rule someone else).

As far as I’m concerned, insisting on husbandly authority based on two words: “head” and “submit,” interpreted through Church tradition that bears every evidence of being rooted in the male desire to rule– is the wrong foundation on which to decide that men have a God-given right to be in authority over their wives.