What the Bible Says

THE VALUE OF EACH HUMAN LIFE

"Let us make man in Our image, according to our likeness...and God created man in His own image"

(Genesis 1:26-27)
Man and woman were made in God's image. The image of God is the basis for the dignity, care and respect of all human life. Consequently, there is no basis for developing a "power structure" over another person.

THE REJECTION OF VIOLENCE IN MARRIAGE
"Help me, O Lord from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who purposes to overthrow my life" (Psalms 140:4)
Church Leadership Qualifications = "not violent" (I Tim. 3:3)
Violence has and will be a problem. The Bible states that violence is not an option for church leadership nor should it be a part of the human experience. The use of violence is to "overthrow" another person's life in order to facilitate one's own desires.

SUBMISSION AND THE BIBLE

"Wives be subject to your own husbands" (Ephesians 5:22)

"Husbands love your wives" (Ephesians 5:25)

There are several important points to note from these passages:

* Submission means:

* the wife follows the loving leadership of the husband

* the wife is encouraged to express opinions and ideas freely

* the wife's abilities, gifts and talents are employed freely
* Submission does not mean slavery.
* The wife deserves and requires all of the respect, care and dignity of any person.
* Submission is the wife's response to the husband's love. The submission of the wife is closely tied with the love of the husband. The fact is if the husband will not demonstrate unconditional love, the wife will not be inclined to submit.
* Submission is not imposed by the husband.
* The text clearly indicates that the wife initiates the act of submission. The husband's responsibility is to love the wife in a powerful, unconditional manner.
* Submission...the woman's view has a profound impact on her response to violence.
* If a person believes that the violence is justifiable in any way the abuse will continue. The abused person must clearly understand that violence is not a part of submission.

HEAD OF THE HOUSEHOLD

Some men use "headship" as ammunition for their misuse of power.

*
Head of the household means:

* shouldering responsibility of decisions made
* being accountable for the malfunctions of the family
* taking initiative to correct problems in the family
* listening to the opinions and ideas of the family
* initiating the development of each person in the family



HUSBAND'S EXPRESSING LOVE
"Husbands love your wives as Christ loved the church" (Ephesians 5:25)

*
Love is unconditional. The love of Christ is unconditional, therefore the love of a husband for his wife must not express conditions.
*
Love is the focal point of the husband's response to the wife. If the husband begins to focus on controlling the wife instead of loving the wife, he has stepped outside of the design of marriage.
*
Love does not employ:

* physical violence, or the threat of violence
* intimidation or manipulation