RMacD

Cheryl, I don’t think the issue here is primarily gender related, as much as Institutional, which I think has been brought out by some of the others in this thread. Titus 2 really involves the issue of needed biblical discipleship and not merely a hierarchy of Western rationalism.

Titus 2 begins by focusing on “things which are fitting for sound doctrine. (or healthy teaching–for Paul points out in other epistles that there are certainly less edifying teachings-such as holy days, and foods). A problem with many of the traditional church structures is the “really important” teaching has been limited to philosophical or theological doctrinal issues, only considering them as “the” spiritual issues. You even seem to separate the “emotional” from the “spiritual”, but as you also know far too well, this is not realistic. I truly applaud your necessary apologetic work. However,  your (valid) “gender” revelations are hitting a lot of the guys in the gut, much like Peter’s vision to eat unclean food. (guys are not emotionally driven-huh?!) What we are wrestling with is far more complex than the Institutional Enlightenment worldview seems to see.

Teaching men (particularly us older guys) to be temperate and sensible is a spiritual endeavor, not merely an informational download. Those things listed in Titus take the work of the Holy Spirit – for all of us. Even the gender issues are rooted in our failure to see “knowledge-and the teaching of it” -in the context of relational discipleship.

There were some things my wife needed to learn that only another sister could lead her into-having been there herself. We live in a “yet-not yet” kingdom and women are only “weaker vessels” because a fallen culture has placed them at a disadvantage. (See the great translation of 1 Pet 3:7 in The Message) We all need each others giftings as we learn, and no one individual can “fully disciple” us into holistic maturity.