Ken

Sorry I’m so late in posting. I was searching around and stumbled on this site.

I hear, and understand, and am somewhat in agreement with your positions. ( egal) I read the 33 responses that followed. It was quite informative to say the least.

But when I began to reflected on this whole issue of authority, submission, obedience, headship, ruler, boss, descision maker, etc., etc.,…………the whole egal and comp positions pales into insignificance when one looks around sees what some churches teach and practice regarding “eldership rule.” The “usurping” of authority is taken to the next level!

Under this so-called teaching, the pastor and the elders take Ephesians 5, and the directives given to the husband and wife, and apply it……TO THEMSELVES! They (the eldership) are the absolute rulers in the congregation and the church members are to submit to them in everything! Where does this lead?

Many pastors are literally taking over and destroying many marriages inside their congregations in order to gain their own ends. An article that describes this in great detail is:

http://www.wickedshepherds.com/awordtothewives.html

How is this worked out? If a spouse starts to “question” the policy of the church or questions the pastors sermon, the other spouse is “counseled” to separate, or even divorce if necessary, if this situation “gets out of hand.” The “leaven” must be removed.

All because one spouses’ eyes are beginning to be opened and they start to question some church practices. This is exactly the case.

What that article describes is all-so-true. I know. I’ve experienced these diabolical practices first-hand and I know of many others who have gone through the same godless, disgusting ordeal. It is the most vile, evil teaching and practice that is going on in many churches; mostly “Reformed” in theology. Read the article and see for yourself.

The so-called “spiritual leaders” is these churches are assuming to themselves “authority” and “rulership” that the Apostles themselves would not ever dream of doing.
This is truly “authority gone wild” to say the least.

Ken