Can we be funny for a few moments? Clearly, TGC (The Gospel Coalition) and the women featured in this article believe what they believe about marriage, not primarily because of experience, but fundamentally because of the Word of God. I have recently been impressed by many talented and strong wives who have testified with joy and productivity of the beauty of the biblical model of marriage: leadership, submission and everything.
Complementarys (those who support the idea that men and women have different but complementary roles) often hear that women’s gifts are ignored or not used. In some cases, it’s true. However, in an effort to soften or eliminate biblical distinctions between men and women, the blame for women’s difficulties is often attributed to these distinctions, rather than to the sinful human heart, whether it is leaning toward complementarity or egalitarianism, seeking its own benefit so easily and not the good of others. Would it be possible, by God’s grace, for the gospel of marriage to restore the leadership and submission of husbands and wives to their legitimate beauty that reflects Christ?
- The following words of women are not evidence.
- But flashes of God’s grace.
- Here.
- Attention is limited.
- While briefly looking at the lives of some married women.
- Recognizing that these stories of grace.
- Vigour and productivity arise from all walks of life.
- But marriage has been.
- In many ways.
- In our cultural consciousness and not just in the church.
- All the forces fighting this institution have really put it on the public stage.
- In a living way.
- To be debated.
- Of these cultural battles.
- But especially because of the way the Bible talks about marriage.
- Is a crucial issue for all of us.
- Despite the state of our relationship.
Kathy Keller offers us a clear voice of woman, along with her husband, Tim Keller, in her new book, The Meaning of Marriage. They certainly do not make marriage sentimental or easy, but their voice achieves firm and joyful clarity by affirming the gospel of Jesus Christ as a power and standard for biblical marriages, as taught in Ephesians 5.
But it’s the voice of Tim and Kathy Keller! Let us hear other voices of married Christian women who seek, by the grace of God, the evangelical model of loving leadership and respectful submission taught in the Scriptures and lived by Christ Himself. I asked this group of ten women: does your husband encourage you to grow up and use your gifts for the kingdom?
These women are all different and certainly don’t have a specific lifestyle to emulate. Everyone knows that they and their spouses are not perfect (as the Kellers know!). Did you have any difficulties, with illnesses, disabled children, premature deaths, arduous tensions in good marriages. But they trust in the love of Christ, first of all, and in the love of husbands who evidently give themselves to them. I hope spouses will be encouraged to notice what women say and appreciate about pious husbands. I hope that brides will be encouraged, knowing that God’s model, established in the gospel, makes us grow and teaches us in joyful directions, even when we follow him with hesitation. I hope that singles will feel motivated, believing that marriage is a great gift from God through which we must experience the beauty and truth of the gospel.
Mindy Belz, editor-in-chief of World magazine, lives in Asheville, North Carolina. Do she and her husband, Nat, work writing and publishing? And raising his four almost adult children. She told me she could have written about the fact that Nat had changed all the mingled vinyl curtains in the bathroom while she was recently in Afghanistan, but instead sent me the following.
One of the most important ways my husband encourages me to grow and use the gifts God has given me for the kingdom of Christ is to first recognize that all the qualities and talents I have are just that: gifts. The Lord gave them. Therefore, we use them with renunciation, with joy, in sickness and in health, and sometimes only for a while (since the Lord also removes them). My husband gratefully carried everything into our family, in and out of our lives, and put the service of the kingdom first, so that they would be captivating and pleasant. It also helped me a lot to set priorities. Very often, I get carried away by the tyranny of urgency, cry, emotion or selfishness, but my husband is, and has always been a firm and reliable guide to the things that come first, even if he sees a play at school or goes on a business trip.
Anne Harley Duncan has taught, managed and advised in educational settings from elementary school through the last year. She currently describes herself as the best taxi driver in the area, transporting her tweens and teens throughout the city of Jackson, Mississippi, where her husband, Ligon, is pastor of the First Presbyterian Church.
At the beginning of our relationship, Ligon made it clear to me that he celebrated women with the gift of leadership, having benefited from the example of this celebration in his father and mother. Even if he strongly desired a companion home, as I do, he sees his ministry in my eyes as a ministry of leadership, consultation, and protection, making sure I don’t “go beyond” him. in my eagerness to serve. My first priority is our home. As God gave me opportunities and we prayed in prayer throughout the years of our marriage, have I worked as a college professor, seminary professor, counselor at a private clinic, and director of community service at our high school? local? as well as in various leadership roles in our children’s schools and in our church. Ligon encouraged me and helped me maintain professional licenses through seminars and clinics. I also stayed home at times under the sole responsibility of? Mother? and wife ?. At all times, my husband’s primary desire is to allow me, hopefully, while being guided, to use the gifts God has given me in creative, joyous, missionary ministry. If I think it’s time to serve in another area, Ligon makes it clear to me that he will help me ‘get there’. Does that mean you used your hands to cook, wash dishes, and be a driver? ? And always with a smile! Ligon is an honest entertainer, and although he is quite busy himself, he is always concerned that I am experiencing contexts of meaningful contribution.
Nancy Guthrie is a biblical author and teacher who lives in Nashville with her husband, David, and son, Matt. She and David are responsible for GriefShare and Retreat Series for couples who have already experienced the death of a child.
David never lets me out of the house for a week or a weekend with a whisper, but with joy, making sure he doesn’t mind me leaving him nothing but the fridge, he waits patiently when people want to talk to me. , when I know I’d rather continue. David rejoices with me when I read him an email from someone who has benefited from my ministry, rather than acting like he’s really tired of all this. He carefully offers the criticisms that I need to hear (which is often painful for me, because I respect his opinion very much), in a tone and context that lets me know that he is in my favor and not against me David loves me and accepts me for who I am with a haven of peace in which I may be weak and needy , as well as a solid foundation on which to give me joy and freedom.
Lisa Helm enjoys running a busy family of five in Hyde Park, Chicago, and working for an investment firm. For more than 20 years, she has been very involved in her husband’s pastoral ministry, Dave, at Holy Trinity Church, especially to guide women and children in bible study.
The greatest encouragement for my spiritual growth has been Dave’s confidence in the truth and power of God’s Word. For more than 25 years, he has faithfully explained to me the Word of God, through sermons, at the table, and at breakfast. I was formed not only by Dave, who teaches me the Word, but also by living it. Does my husband love me?But I saw him, day after day, try to die for himself and show me love. This combination of Word and action has stimulated me in my faith. Release me to serve those around me. It encourages me to be more like Christ, to live without selfishness, to build the church. Because we all know that showing hospitality without a whisper is so much easier when your husband is washing the kitchen floor!
Patricia Lindley, a mother of five and grandmother of seven, lives with her husband Gary at Lookout Mountain, near Chattanooga, Tennessee. Patricia helped establish and served for 11 years as Executive Director of Chattanooga’s Choices Pregnancy Resource Center. member of the founding board of the National Memorial of the Unborn.
For more than 35 years of our 40 years of marriage, my husband and I have been deeply involved in pro-life efforts. We see the need for more Christians to treat the issue of abortion as a matter of justice and mercy and a position in words and deeds. I served in the Chattanooga Pro-Life Coalition and also as a volunteer board member and now Executive Director of our local pregnancy crisis center. None of these things would be possible without my husband’s association to raise our five children and their loving care for years of health problems. As a history teacher, he gave me perspectives and ideas. As a builder, he spontaneously provided his skills as a carpenter to carry out projects in the center. Above all, it is my encouragement and has given me the confidence to face difficult situations and supported my efforts with faithful prayer.
Kristie Anyabwille is the wife of a pastor, happy housewife and mother of three children in a house that is often full of additional “adopted” members. She lives in the Cayman Islands, where her husband, Thabiti, is pastor of the First Baptist Church, Kristie is passionate about tutoring young women in the faith.
My husband constantly encourages me to grow and use my gifts for the kingdom. Value what I do and value my contributions or service to the family. Enter my world helping with things around the house? with joy and compassion? to set me free to develop relationships and ministry plans, allowing me to rest and refresh my body and mind. He is interested in my spiritual life, he regularly asks me questions about how I grow (or struggle), what the Lord teaches me through his Word, how I benefit from books, blogs, sermons, etc. It helps me to discern in which areas of ministry I should follow or reject. Does my husband help me say no? for good things to say? Yes? for more practical things for this stage of life, family and ministry. He takes me out of my comfort zone by challenging me to use the gifts that he sees the Lord developing in me, but that are not always obvious to me. He is my best friend, my encouragement, and my pastor. In each of these roles, he puts his heart, mind and actions on heavenly things, inspiring me to do the same.
Rebecca Painter graduated and worked in the nursing profession, primarily in the field of geriatrics. She lives in Princeton, New Jersey, with her husband, Rob, an investment banker in New York, and their five children. Rebecca is currently an advisor to the board. at Covenant College, as well as in various leadership roles at Wilbrforce School, the classic Christian school where his older sons study.
I praise God for a husband whose love for me is rooted in his faith in Jesus Christ and does not depend on my appearance, family skills, or financial contribution. My husband is always ready to remind me that the work I do to raise children is more valuable to our family than a payout check and that all my education and experience are crucial to accomplishing this difficult task. However, when ministry opportunities arise that allow me to use my gifts to serve the Lord outside the home, my husband wholeheartedly supports me. He is an active father who spontaneously cares for our five young children in my absence. Your pleasure as a father frees me from worries and distractions when I need to be completely present elsewhere. He is interested in knowing my work and gives me valuable feedback. My husband encourages me to lead and participate when I feel called, and will help me in these opportunities, to the extent of his abilities. He understands how spiritual growth and refreshment in my life strengthen the spiritual life of our families.
Keri Folmar lives in Dubai with her husband John, pastor of the United Christian Church of Dubai, and their three children. In previous years, Keri was the senior adviser to the Judicial Subcommittee on the Constitution of the House of Representatives in Washington DC. She writes, teaches, and directs Bible studies for women in her church, working with women from all walkable continents.
I appreciate this question because my husband is a talented promoter and I have been the primary beneficiary for 14 years. Looking back, I understand that John was the greatest encouragement God used to promote spiritual growth in my life. John encouraged me to get to know God better by sharing the gospel with me and by loving Christ supremely in his own life. Living with him, I can’t help but love the scriptures and share the gospel with others because of his love for God and people, and because his enthusiasm for kingdom expansion is contagious. . John always treats me as an equal person in the kingdom. His priority for me has always been to have an intimate relationship with the Lord. When the children were young, John made sure he had time during the day to read the scriptures and pray. It reminded me of the importance of the work I did, changing diapers and reading children’s books. (He changed a lot of diapers and read a lot of children’s books too!) During his seminary years, he took one night out of our busy schedule each week and put his workload aside to get ahead. time with our babies, so we can attend seminary classes. John also encourages me to share the gospel, study the Bible, become a disciple, and teach other women. Edit and comment valuable on everything I write, even when overwhelmed by time. He regularly declares what I have written and prays with me for the fruit among the women I teach. John wholeheartedly wants to glorify God and sees us as partners in the effort to expand the kingdom of God. In parenting and ministry, John gives me wise advice and finds it valuable. I am also thankful for the gift that God gave me in John!
Jane Hensel used her MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellog School of Management for several years in banking in New York and Chicago, as well as in development at Wheaton College. She and her husband, Andy, have four children and live in Chicago. Charles Simeon Trust’s board of directors.
My husband, Andy, encouraged me in many ways, as I love being a housewife for 18 years. From the beginning, we saw the creation of our four children as the care of eternal souls. Andy has always enjoyed my work at home. In the early years, it would have been easy to lose sight of the ultimate goal of raising children who love the Lord Jesus. Do you have to change diapers, bathe, eat, wash dishes and clothes?a seemingly endless cycle of tasks. However, Andy prayed constantly for me and supported me with our unanimous belief that he was using my gifts to care for our precious children every day. Over the years, he has repeatedly affirmed my spiritual teaching for children’s lives, organizational skills, financial management skills, and culinary prowess. When I saw my eldest son drop out of college this year, I realized how quickly the years passed and how grateful I was to have Andy’s love and encouragement all these years. .
LaVon Buswell has been married for 62 years to her husband, John, seminary teacher and pastor for many years. For decades, LaVon taught in schools and conducted church choirs. The couple have two daughters, six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
When John and I were married in 1949, I learned that I was convinced of a clear call from the Lord for the ministry of the Church. When we left the quorum and seminary, we were already serving as a team. We made a conscious effort to interpret 1 Peter 3 as our lives unfolded. Why wouldn’t my husband, who prayed daily to be a faithful pastor, want to encourage me to use my gifts to further the purposes that the Lord had given us? Many exciting and empowering doors have opened for me to serve alongside my husband in church and in the community. After prayerful reflection, John encouraged me to walk through these doors with courage. What a joy it is to teach at different ages, help develop children’s and adult choirs, join women’s ministries, and often open our homes to good fellowship. Over the years our love has grown even deeper as together we have tried to empower our daughters to grow in love and service to the Lord. The strength and foundation that have sustained our home has always been God’s Word and prayer together. John was truly the spiritual leader who struggled daily all these years to read the Bible and pray together. Now, in our eighth decade as a team, what a blessing it is to start each day reading the Bible aloud and praying for loved ones and those in need around the world!
None of us should dream that we already mastered this issue of marriage!This last couple, who are already 80 years old, who are my parents, now know better than before how desperately they need to read the Bible and pray the morning together, to overcome everything. However, I believe that we should be encouraged by the voices of those who test the goodness of God’s plan for marriage; many of us could come together to bear witness to the blessing of a pious spouse. To these words of gratitude to a husband who celebrates his wife’s gifts and does his best to ensure that these gifts are encouraged and used by God, spiritual care to clean the floors and buttocks of the children’s kitchen!more carefully in these things.
Above all, I hope that in the Church we will be encouraged to protect and follow the great gift of marriage, given by God, so that we can live more and more the love of Christ and his Church, among us and in the midst of a world in need.