R.K. McGregor Wright

Truthseeker asks a perfectly good question in #34 above.  The answer, I would think, is not to deny that under particular circumstances, person X may be subordinate, or subordinates his/her self to person Y, but whether this is a natural ontological order of a hierarchical nature, or simply a moral relation in a particular context.  Ephesians 5:21 states as a general principle that Christians should be mutually submissive “to each other.”  This is strictly unintelligible on a hierarchical basis, but is a perfectly normal moral relation between believers, on which the rest of the examples in the verses following make sense.  It suggests that in one situation, I will be “submissive to” my wife and in other situations she will be to me. that in some situations I will give place to a respected Christian leader who I differ from on some point, while on some matter in which he realizes I know more than he does, he will “submit” to me.  This is not some ontological rigidity, but a flexible pattern of relationships conditioned by love of the brethren, like everything else in the Christian life.  It’s GIFTS that should determine who takes the lead in a particular situation, not an ontological hierarchy.  My wife has different gifts than I do, and I submit to that fact, ordained as it is by God (1 Cor 12:4 fol.)
Mutual submission is much more difficult to practice than hierarchical submission.  The first is a moral relationship, a balancing act within a love-framework, while the second is an automatic acceptance of an inflexible state of affairs.  There is no question that hierarchicalism if assumed, will trump love every time….
Love, Bob K.