Cheryl Schatz

Mark,

You said:

First, i have said nothing attackingly or aggresively over the kephale discussion.

Mate, you have definitely overstated your case. While I am sure that you don’t think that you were attacking or aggressive, you were. May I remind you that you labeled me as a self-righteous Pharisee and the judgment and pressure that you put on Suzanne actually made me see red and honestly I rarely see red. I asked you to apologize both times and you did not. What you said both times was inappropriate and if you think it was not, well, I can only say that there may be a few issues that need to be dealt with in your life towards those who you call brethren in Christ. While you may not have meant it the way it came out, knowing that you were offensive should have prompted an apology and an opportunity to ask for forgiveness. All that you should have needed was to know that you offended your sisters in Christ whether you understood the offense of not.

Now I am quite surprised that you have decided to bow out. It seemed to me that awhile back you said you would stay in the discussion no matter how hot it got and you weren’t the kind to bail out. In fact, you have been the most persistent complementarian ever on this blog. Don’t you remember that I gave you the privilege of writing a post here and no other complementarian has had that much freedom before on this blog? It takes the work of a feisty complementarian to get us going and we would surely miss you if you no longer post. You are special. How about reconsidering, our complementarian bloke?

Thus lies the problem in blogging- it’s hard to communicate effectively.

It is harder since one cannot see body language and the look on one’s face, but it is doable if one works hard to add commendation once in a while to affirm the person even while you are disagreeing. We are called to a ministry of reconciliation and what better place to see this in action then in discussions on women in ministry and submission and authority in marriage? Can we have love for each other while hotly debating these issues? I believe we can and I do think that these issues can have worth as we each discuss our point of view.

If i have come across too strong, it has not been out of hate or anger for any-please believe that!

That is explaining yourself and that’s good. But it needs to go with an apology. Saying “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to come across in a way that hurt you” can go a long way to treat one another in a way that is required of us by the Lord Jesus. It honors Him when we speak with love, even if it is picking up the pieces to an unintended critical word.