What is a complemegalitarian? According to Kevin DeYoung it is a person who tries to find “a middle road” between the complementarian and egalitarian positions. But it won’t work, as Kevin explains in a three-part series on his blog.
Even if we are committed complementarians, it’s important that we reexamine this issue, because “the cultural pressure is decidedly against complementarians. We need our spines stiffened by Scripture more frequently than we realize.”
“Complementarianism is a big deal” Kevin reminds us, “not just because the roles of men and women matter and ordering the church God’s way matters. Complementarianism matters, perhaps most of all, because how we handle the Scriptures matter.”
And that’s why we think you should take the time to read Kevin’s entire series (part one, two, three).
And now, according to them, it does not. Not financially, not sociologically, not personally.
Ms. Bennet and Ms. Ellison’s aversion to marriage, as with many in our generation, can be traced back to childhood:
“We are also the so-called entitled generation, brought up with lofty expectations of an egalitarian adulthood; told by helicopter parents and the media, from the moment we exited the womb, that we could be ‘whatever we wanted’—with infinite opportunities to accomplish those dreams. So you can imagine how, 25 years down the line, committing to another person—for life—would be nerve-racking.”
Nerve-racking, maybe. But so much more satisfying, fulfilling, beautiful, and rewarding than they imagine.
“The Bible compels us to see marriage as essential to human happiness, health, and infinitely more,” insists Dr. Mohler. So the author of Hebrews exhorts us: “Let marriage be held in honor among all” (13:4).
How can we honor marriage in a culture that treats it with such disdain?
We can start by loving our husbands—passionately, tenderly, faithfully. We can cheer on the singles who honor marriage by walking in purity. We can encourage married couples who remain faithful to their vows. We can raise children, not to be “whatever they want” but to be what God wants them to be. We can pray for God’s mercy, that He would preserve the institution of marriage for the glory of the gospel.
And next time we get a wedding invitation? Celebrate! Because marriage will always make sense.
Last week, John Piper answered a question we get a lot—“Is it OK for mothers to work full-time outside the home?” We love his answer—full of grace and passionate to encourage women to view their home as a “launching pad for ministry and missions.” He concludes with these comments:
“Those are the kind of dreams I want to offer the younger women that are coming along so that they don’t think, “If I don’t get a career and make lots of money and be equal with men in pay and time and everything, I’ve somehow sold out to something small or something that doesn’t require intellectual capabilities. It is a great and glorious calling to be a mother and a homemaker and a wife and a neighborhood make-it-happen kind of person and a church minister. Who knows what God might be pleased to do.”
You can read a transcript of John Piper’s response at the Desiring God blog. Also, we did a short series last year in response to a question about the husband’s responsibility in the home. You can check it out here.
May God give us all a bigger vision of how we can serve Him in and through our homes!
For ten years, my husband’s and my favorite way to spend a dollar…
Dear Ann Landers: Last weekend, we celebrated my parents’ 50th wedding anniversary. This morning, they left on a long-awaited trip to Hawaii. They were as excited as if it were their honeymoon.
When my parents married, they had only enough money for a three-day trip 50 miles from home. They made a pact that each time they made love, they would put a dollar in a special metal box, and save it for a honeymoon in Hawaii.
Dad was a policeman, and Mom was a schoolteacher. They lived in a modest house and did all their own repairs. Raising five children was a challenge, and sometimes, money was short, but no matter what emergency came up, Dad would not let Mom take any money out of the “Hawaii account.” As the account grew, they put it in a savings account, and then, bought CDs.
I can remember Dad coming home and telling Mom, “I have a dollar in my pocket,” and she would smile at him and reply, “I know how to spend it.”
When each of us children married, Mom and Dad gave us a small, metal box and told us their secret, which we found enchanting. All five of us are now saving for our dream honeymoons. Mom and Dad never told us how much money they had managed to save, but it must have been considerable, because when they cashed in those CDs, they had enough for airfare to Hawaii, plus, hotel accommodations for 10 days, and plenty of spending money.
As they told us goodbye before leaving, Dad winked and said, “Tonight, we are starting an account for Cancun. That should only take 25 years.”—A Loving Daughter in Abilene, Texas
Peace, You give me peace When the storms come and I’m afraid Peace, You give me peace When I trust in the words You say You give me peace
Turns out many of you love this song too—but especially one mom, Betsy. Read this sweet story of God’s grace to her son through this song:
I have to tell you a sweet moment that relates to the song “Peace.” Last year while traveling to S. Carolina (from KY, where my husband is in seminary) to see some friends, my (then five-year-old) son got sick in the Smoky Mtns. After consulting the friends we were with and the ones we were heading to visit, we decided to press on. By the time we reached Charleston, he was listless and in great pain. The long and short of the story is that he ended up needing an emergency appendectomy. We spent the night in an emergency room as the hospital was full. We waited several hours for a diagnosis. Finally one was reached, and we had to trust that—so far from home—the doctors were right. Amazingly, the friend we were visiting had taken a “wrong turn,” and found his way to the Pediatric Emergency/Children’s Hospital he hadn’t known how to get to. A memory that I will never forget is singing the sweet words to that song to my son right before he was wheeled into the operating room…and him starting to sing along. Tired, weary, hurting, his little voice just about broke my heart. The memory still does. That CD has ministered to us in so many ways, but none quite so special as that moment. Praise be to God for the ministry of Sovereign Grace music. We’ll be getting the next cd as well.
Ever have trouble remembering what you read? I can relate. And so can my husband. He shared some thoughts about reading on his blog recently that I though y’all might enjoy. I hope they inspire you to persevere with your summer reading!
I have friends who can accurately reference specific footnotes from books they read 20 or more years ago! Those friends not only read a lot, they remember just about everything.
I find this very discouraging.
I recently finished A. Lincoln, a 676-page biography by Ronald C. White, Jr. And yet when I closed the book and communicated to others how much I enjoyed the book, there was really only one sentence I clearly remembered—which is one reason why I dog-ear and mark paragraphs and sentences in my books.
I try to read a lot but unfortunately I forget a lot, too. (Did I mention how discouraging this is?) But over the years I have read many unforgettable sentences and paragraphs that have made a lasting impact on my thinking and on my ministry.
Is reading worth the time investment when so much is forgotten? John Piper says yes.
What I have learned from about twenty-years of serious reading is this: It is sentences that change my life, not books. What changes my life is some new glimpse of truth, some powerful challenge, some resolution to a long-standing dilemma, and these usually come concentrated in a sentence or two. I do not remember 99% of what I read, but if the 1% of each book or article I do remember is a life-changing insight, then I don’t begrudge the 99%.
Read, but not to remember everything. Read because that 1% that you remember has to potential to change your life.
Although I remember only one sentence from A. Lincoln, that sentence has informed my leadership in a number of ways.
The new Sovereign Grace kid’s album, Walking With the Wise, debuted this week and today we have ten CD’s to give away. Hmmm…maybe we’ll start that girltalkmusic department after all.
With lyrics drawn from the book of Proverbs, this album includes songs such as: “W-I-S-D-O-M,” “Lazy Bones,” and “A Cheerful Heart.” What’s more, the catchy music is fun for kids and easy on a mom’s ears.
Speaking of ears, one of my favorites songs already is “All Ears:”
I wanna be all ears when Mom is speaking
All ears when Dad is teaching
There’s a lot I don’t know
And they’ve been around a whole lot of years
And have covered some ground
Their words will make me wise, so I’m all ears
I’ve always disliked listening to songs on repeat. But I’m making an exception with this song. We are going to wear it out.
One more thing I love about Sovereign Grace kids CDs – there is always a special surprise track, just for moms. At least, that’s how I like to think of it. On the last album it was “Peace.” Every time it comes on, Jack says, “This is your favorite song, isn’t it, Mom?” You betya, my son.
On Walking with the Wise, I think the secret song for moms is “Who Can Say.” Listen and see if it doesn’t reduce you to grateful-for-the-gospel tears.
So, for the giveaway—be one of the first ten people to email and tell us your favorite line from a Sovereign Grace kids album. And thanks to Sovereign Grace Ministries for providing these CD’s.
UPDATE, 4:50 PM: We have our winners! Thanks to all who entered.
“The Bible compels us to see marriage as essential to human happiness, health, and infinitely more,” 
Dear Ann Landers
I have friends who can accurately reference specific footnotes from books they read 20 or more years ago! Those friends not only read a lot, they remember just about everything.
The new Sovereign Grace kid’s album, 
