I’m not much of a fan of FoTF. Some of their resources are useful, but the politicization of Christian marriage and family frankly ticks me off. I also take issue with their opposition to hate crimes legislation, etc. But this article encourages a response of hope and grace…and I think she’s right.
As I learned more about the Industrial Revolution and the rise of the middle class, I saw the roots of our misguided interpretation. When a man went off to the factory, it became the mark of success to leave behind a stay-at-home wife. Her presence at home became cause for respect. And for most families that set-up worked best as the ideal (though most did not obtain it). But it crept into our thinking as the “biblical” ideal.
We need to rethink this one. The goal of marriage is oneness, not conformity to the standard of a materialistic culture.
A friend shared this on Facebook. YES.
It always seems that just when daily life seems almost unbearable, stretching out before me like a prison sentence, when I seem most dead inside, reduced to mindlessness, bitter tears or both that is inmost breaks forth, and I realize that what had seemed “dead time” was actually a period of gestation. It is a quotidian mystery that dailiness can lead to such despair, and yet also be at the core of our salvation.
In this season we shifted into ministry-and-family mode, neglecting our intimacy and failing to work through our issues. This became apparent to me when my pregnant wife came home from a hair appointment with her previously long hair (that I loved) chopped off and replaced with a short mommish haircut. She asked what I thought, and could tell from the look on my face. She had put a mom’s need for convenience before being a wife. She wept. (11)
From Mark Driscoll’s latest book on marriage. This disgusts me. Probably one of the most degrading comments I’ve ever heard a man, much less a Christian man, make about his own wife. I donated my ridiculously long and hormone-thickened hair to cancer survivors WHO HAD NONE after both of my pregnancies and got a “mommish” haircut in each case. My husband not only admired that move, but he welcomed it, regardless of his preferences for my frakkin’ hairdo. I’m currently on anti-cancer medications for my RA and some of my hair is falling out. And, ya know what? My man would prefer me bald to me in pain. I guess he’s just a gem that way.
May the God of all things beautiful (including loving wives and mothers and women with short or no hair) be merciful on this man who insists on humiliating his wife first in private, then in print.
PS-I usually don’t comment on a book unless I’ve given the author an opportunity to provide context by reading the whole thing. Since there’s no way I’m going to read this mess, I thought I’d provide a link to a blog where someone had the stomach to read and review it.
I like this album for the kids and NoiseTrade has some great stuff. Downloads are free if you choose to share the news via email or social networks. Tips are always appreciated. Other recs for kids’ music? Slugs & Bugs & Lullabies: http://www.slugsandbugs.com/ and anything in the Putumayo Kids’ series: http://www.putumayo.com/kids/home
I had the same problem with Tequila Mockingbird. My mom loved the movie and we watched it all the time growing up, but I never saw the long opening credits. Kinda sad that I got a handle on “tequila” years before the inevitable 9th grade book assignment.
We are the 100%
Seriously, y’all. I’m a DOT. COM!
