Should Christians play roles or be real?
Should Christian women play a role?
To me a role is what an actor plays in a movie or play. It’s an assigned character with words and actions scripted out. It’s the actor’s job to flesh out the character and make it real for those watching. The better the actor, the more real the role is.
When I received Christ as my savior, I didn’t know that I was supposed to play out a role as a woman. The Bible I read does not give me a scripted part to play. There are commands from the Lord; guidelines for my life and some of them are definitely pointed towards women or men. They are very simple and basic, designed to help us live healthy lives. But I fail to see that God gives out roles like a director of a movie and expects women to have certain "hobbies" or jobs.
I feel that whenever a Christian starts to play a role, and I believe that those of us who spend any time in a church anywhere will not know what I’m talking about, they become phony, false and basically lack the heart or spirit of their faith.
I personally love Proverbs 31. It is a beautiful passage. I think there are guidelines there for married women but I cannot tear it apart and assign tasks or a role for us as women to play out as literally as some people want to do. I mean, what is flax? I don't even know what flax is. If a woman who lives in Antarctica (where for the sake of this post, let’s assume there’s no flax) receives the Lord, does she run the risk of displeasing God because she can’t spin some?
I think it’s extremely important to read all of the Bible and not pick and choose passages but it’s also important not to take it so literally that women (and men) put themselves back into bondage and resort to legalism.
posted by Wild Child @ 7:38 AM
3 comments
3 Comments:
Hi there Wild Child,
I found your blog through a comment you made on Carolyn McCulley's Solo Femininity blog (which I love!)
Very interesting and lively post! :) I enjoyed reading it, and had a few thoughts in response.
When I received Christ as my savior, I didn’t know that I was supposed to play out a role as a woman. The Bible I read does not give me a scripted part to play. There are commands from the Lord; guidelines for my life and some of them are definitely pointed towards women or men. They are very simple and basic, designed to help us live healthy lives. But I fail to see that God gives out roles like a director of a movie
I like your line of reasoning! And I largely agree.
I think, Wild Child, that it’s better to see ourselves not in terms of playing 'roles' but as who we really are – redeemed sons and daughers of the King called to be disciples, in whatever situation God places us: single, married, secular profesion, full-time Christian work, whatever.
All of the Christian life is vocational. If you’re a full-time homemaker, that's vocational. If a single woman is doing what I’m doing – working full-time for a Christian agency alongside other Christians doing kingdom work – then she is being vocational. Christians in all sorts of secular professions are being vocational as we are called to be witnesses to the world. I also happen to have a ministry in my church, but it’s all of a piece … I would be serving God just as much if He had called me to stay in publishing (my chosen profession in the last ten years). As long as I am being faithful to Him, I am being vocational.
I feel that whenever a Christian starts to play a role, and I believe that those of us who spend any time in a church anywhere will not know what I’m talking about, they become phony, false and basically lack the heart or spirit of their faith.
I’m not sure what you mean by this. I don’t think I’ve ever met a real Christian who acted ‘phony’ and I would be very worried if I did.
I personally love Proverbs 31. It is a beautiful passage. I think there are guidelines there for married women but I cannot tear it apart and assign tasks or a role for us as women to play out as literally as some people want to do. I mean, what is flax? I don't even know what flax is. If a woman who lives in Antarctica (where for the sake of this post, let’s assume there’s no flax) receives the Lord, does she run the risk of displeasing God because she can’t spin some?
I think your tongue must be in your cheek here! Hon, I don’t think we are intended to follow Proverbs 31 strictly to the letter! The Proverbs 31 woman is a wonderful timeless model. For a long time she annoyed me because she comes across as so perfect – LOL! Later on, when I was a bit wiser, I realised what a wonderfully affirming vision of biblical womanhood this is. It’s a terrifically empowering picture of godly, purposeful womanhood. She’s both a homemaker and a highly capable business woman!
My mother is a Proverbs 31 woman. She’s one of the most capable and resourceful - and godly - women I know.
I think it’s extremely important to read all of the Bible and not pick and choose passages but it’s also important not to take it so literally that women (and men) put themselves back into bondage and resort to legalism.
I too would be cautious of an overly literal reading of Scripture in every single instance. But although I am not a strict inerrantist, I do remain mindful that we are to let Scripture judge us, rather than the other way round. I’m a woman who very much enjoys being a woman. I’ve always felt secure and affirmed in my femininity. I am extremely blessed in that regard, as there are so many women wounded in that area (just as there are many men wounded in their masculinity). I am presently very happy in the gifts and roles God has graciously given me. Whether I remain single or whether God sees fit to bless me with a godly husband in the future, I hope always to serve Him in my relationships and my church community and be a blessing to others. May it be so!!!
Legalism is deadly. The church always faces two great dangers: Legalism and Permissiveness. It is very easy to start sliding in either direction, if we stop relying on pure grace …
Philippa
Thank you for your post and sounds like you have a healthy relationship with God! Good for you!
If you have never met a phony Christian then we are going to consider you very blessed and leave that comment at that! :)
Yes, my tongue is in my cheek probably too much of the time! I also love Proverbs 31. I have been reading many Christian blogs lately and have found that many of the girls who are blogging, at least from what I can understand in their posts, do take this passage very very literally and seriously. To me it seems extreme and a little too intense. But I've already blogged reams about this so I will stop now! :)
If you have never met a phony Christian then we are going to consider you very blessed and leave that comment at that! :)
Well, I've seen Christians behave pretty badly on occasion, sadly. But there was nothing phony about them. *sigh*
I have been reading many Christian blogs lately and have found that many of the girls who are blogging, at least from what I can understand in their posts, do take this passage very very literally and seriously. To me it seems extreme and a little too intense.
I agree with you. I'm British and only became aware of the US homeschooling movement in conservative Christian circles very recently. Some of the things I have read have made my jaw drop!!!!
For the record, I am a feminine woman who is not very domesticated. I can't sew to save my life! :D I don't think my life has suffered greatly as a result. :) I enjoy the skills of other women who are really good at those sorts of crafts but I can't pretend I have any great yearning in that direction. My creativity lies in other directions: I sing, draw, paint, write. And I do love to offer hospitality. :)
Blessings on you,
Philippa
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