Mark

The first thing which i think is important to keep in mind is that women were actually liberated from the culture of the day by Christianity. When we argue that the men/women issues were always just cultural i think we are wrong. Sure some things are e.g head coverings, but in the wider picture Christianity brought women to a place where they had never been before, so the early church is not inerrently sexist or stuck in their culture of the time.

“But in the Christian setting submission is something that we do out of love not out of necessity.”
I totally agree with you Cheryl- but the authority aspect is still there. Christ submitted himself for us, but he is still our Lord. No one has the right to demand submission from another.

” I am claiming that no one is given authority over others in the body of Christ so that they can demand submission.”
Again i agree because we have no right to demand it.

It seems Cheryl that you think Comps demand submission from another- am i right in assuming this?

I hold though that people DO have authority, but can’t demand submission from someone i.e wife for arguments sake. If there is no authoritative aspect to a marriage for example, then it is not a true reflection of Christ’s covenant with His church. Let me make this clear-my view- Authority is there, but does not promote ‘betterness’ or ‘lord it over’ but is seen in loving and serving like Christ did. Authority should promote Christ likeness in my opinion. But i dont think we should through authority out the window as if it doesn’t exist in the bible.

Do you think the husband has any authority over his wife?