Paula

Grudem has written that he believes mutual submission is impossible. He does this purposely to keep “helper” as an inferior, to the point of making God inferior to man every time he helps him! Here is a quote from his Systematic Theology:

Recently some writers have denied that the creation of Eve as a helper fit for Adam signals any difference in role or authority, because the word helper (Heb. ‘ezer) is often used in the Old Testament of someone who is greater or more powerful than the one who is being helped.

In fact, the word helper is used in the Old Testament of God himself who helps his people. But the point is that whenever someone “helps” someone else, whether in the Hebrew Old Testament or in our modern use of the word help, in the specific task in view the person who is helping is occupying a subordinate or inferior position with regard to the person being helped. Page 461-462

I realize this belongs under the “needy” thread but didn’t want it to be missed. But it does tie in with the overall “male godhood” teachings that come from many Christian leaders today, and it should be noted that Calvinism is involved as well. They look to the Puritans as role models. While the Puritans had some good influence, such as being anti-slavery, they thought nothing of flogging women who even so much as taught other women the Bible in their own homes.

Misogyny is the “universal sin”, the one that pervades all societies and religions, including “churchianity”.