SM

Craig,

Based on what I have read and heard, the terms are not contrasted but are used interchangeably and sometimes in novel ways. In reading comp material online, listening to sermons, and in comments on this blog, I have noticed a redefining of terms and misuse of words to accommodate ideology. Effective communication is very difficult when words are not used grammatically and according to their denotations which were decided long before this conversation began.

For example, in a previous thread, the noun authority was used as a verb meaning to nurture, to cherish, and to care for. I think we have to agree on terms and definitions to effectively communicate because wives nurture, cherish, and care, and hier-comps commenting here agreed, but would not agree that wives “authoritied” their husbands.

This could be eliminated if we would just say what the text says: “husbands love (agape) your wives as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, nourishing her, cherishing her, washing her with the water of the word to present to Himself a bride without spot or wrinkle…”. Today, listening to an ACTS 29 pastor online, I heard him define a husband’s *authority* as “leading like Christ loved the church and gave Himself….” Again, this is mixing in words that are not in the text and making the text say something it is not.

If a hier-comp says he has authority over his wife then what does that mean? For you, authority means the responsibility to break a tie when spouses arrive at an impasse. For another it means, nourishing, cherishing. For another, leading like Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her.

That women were under the authority of their husband or father was assumed in ancient biblical culture. You gave a few scriptures for the basis of your husbandly authority, but I do not see any evidence in your examples that divinely ordains a husband to have authority, as it is defined, over his wife, although I would agree he has responsibility in the marriage but not as a irrevocable, immutable tie-breaker.

PS I haven’t seen Princess Bride, but, boy, does that line fit this issue.