CLC

@ TL

Yes, that is EXACTLY the point of abuse! You have very succinctly expressed the exact abuse that is going on with women; but, in a less noted way, the abuse is also going on with the laity of the church, men and women alike. They are under the impression that “pastors”, deacons, leaders, men like Piper and Grudem know how to translate the Bible better than the Holy Spirit in their hearts.

I didn’t know what the Shepherding Movement was; but I looked it up; and, yes, that is exactly it. That is exactly what is happening in average churches, but to a lesser degree.

Of course, with women, this is what has been pushed for centuries. Like you nicely took note of, it produces women who are easily led around by a nose ring because they are only able to obtain their knowledge of Scripture from their men. So whatever the man says is there, is there.
Of course, the pastors want these men to only teach their women what they want to be taught. So they set up the hierarchy to ensure that the sheep remain in THEIR pen, rather than under the watchful eye of the Good Shepherd. They proclaim that they can keep the sheep safe from wolves if only the sheep remain in the little defined walls of the pen. This sets the eyes of the sheep on fellow sheep (sometimes wolves) for protection, rather than the One who can truly protect us. Problem is these men are sinners, sheep, just like the rest of us (Hopefully, the ones you happen to be following aren’t wolves…, and you wake up one day in a cult.). Their structures won’t protect us. And to say that we need extra protection besides that which is afforded to us through our Good Shepherd is to say that Christ’s protection is somehow deficient.

The same can be said for the so-called leadership of the husband to his wife. Are we to assume that Christ is not enough? Can a mere man, a sinner who is unable to save himself, afford us women any spiritual protection? I would say no!

By the way, I suggest you post your thoughts on Mike’s blog.