On the other hand, I also believe there were many more moments in her speech, which came through quite clearly, that we would do well to reject - in light of Scripture. Yes, I will say there were some really good things in her speech to which we as Christians should rightly give a hearty Amen. She spoke of the need for women to be given equal respect as men, and for men not to be ostracized for showing compassion or vulnerability. Certainly these things are Christian virtues. For Christ himself showed the utmost respect for women (Lk. 4:38-39, 13:10-17) and through his Apostle Paul taught men to love their wives as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her (Eph. 5:25). Likewise, Christ Himself - as a man - was not afraid to show compassion (Mk. 6:34) or vulnerability (Jn. 11:35); and neither was Paul (2 Cor. 11:28, 12:9-10). Indeed these are things that the Christian church ought to advocate! However... There were also many things in Emma's speech that we cannot, as Christians, accept as righteous ideology or living - specifically her "gender spectrum," economic, and pro-choice sentiments. Total Equality Gender Spectrum? Or Equal Value, Distinct RolesIf men don’t have to be aggressive in order to be accepted, women won’t feel compelled to be submissive. If men don’t have to control, women won’t have to be controlled. There is a lot of confusion in this statement. Men don't have to be aggressive. But they have to be men! Women should be submissive - to their own husbands (Eph. 5:22; 1 Pet. 3:1-6), but that doesn't mean men should try to control them. Rather they should lead them by serving them and giving themselves up for them, as Christ loved the church (Eph. 5:25). While again, there were some good things in here, the implicit spirit in this moving prose is that there is no primary aspect of manhood and womanhood. The message is that both men and women should be sensitive to the same degree. And both men and women should be strong to the same degree. This just isn't the way God created male and female. He created men to be the ones who (under most circumstances) go out into combat when called upon to engage in warfare (2 Sam. 24:9). This requires an aspect of strength that is not inherent in women (as God created them). Likewise, He created women to be the ones who (under most circumstances) are to be spared in warfare (Deut. 20:13-14) because of the very fact that they are not to been seen as having the same strength (in general) as men (and therefore, not combatants). Even the Apostle Peter, when commanding the loving respect men are to have toward their wives, says to them: "Live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to them as the weaker vessel" (1 Pet. 3:7, emphasis mine). But don't be fooled - Peter goes right on to say that the reason men are to treat their wives in such a way is because "they are joint heirs with you of the grace of life" (1 Pet. 3:7, emphasis mine). Right in this one passage we have a great summary of a distinction God has made in the created order: men and women are distinct in their roles and abilities - yet as believers they are co-heirs, equal in glory and honor in God's sight (it's assumed they are equal in glory and honor as God's image bearers even if they are unbelievers). Yet there is another part of this message that does not cohere with a Biblical worldview... Economic EqualityI think it is right I am paid the same as my male counterparts. Based on what she says later on - that her examples are examples of "human rights" - she is not simply saying that it is right but that it is a right for her to earn the same as her male counterparts. But Biblically speaking, the idea that it is a universal right that women are paid equally as their male counterparts is simply in contrast to what the Scriptures say concerning economic rights (as is the converse). Before you stop reading, I'll ask you to consider the fact that there are many men in the workforce who are not paid equally as other men in the same position and with the same experience and/or education. (It's interesting that no one is advocating for them). Of course I'm not going to advocate for any group here other than the one who is actually paying the employees - the employer! According to Scripture it is the employer who has the right to pay the employees what they agree to beforehand (Mt. 20:13). The employee surely has the right to those wages (Deut. 24:14-15; Jas. 5:4). But they have no other claim on the employer (Mt. 20:14-15). The idea that just because a worker is a female, then she automatically has the right to be paid just as much as a man in the same position, has no place in Scripture - just as there is no place in Scripture that says a man in the same position as another man has the right to the same pay. It's the employer's money and the employer's right - to pay each individual employee what they agree to beforehand (Mt. 20:1-15). I know this will fly right in the face of our modern cries for "equality" in everything. But I don't know how else to see this issue than from a Scriptural perspective. Employers have rights too! After all, it's their generosity (Mt. 20:15) that helps those who are seeking work and having a hard time finding it (Mt. 20:7). While that is certainly the main issue of her speech (and the income equality/gender equality debate), I can't help but notice another remark she made. Decisions about "My Own Body"I think it is right that I should be able to make decisions about my own body. Again she is speaking to the tune that it is a right for her to make decisions about her own body. But this is clearly in reference to something much more than her own body. It's a clear and intentional expression of pro-choice ideology in regards to abortion (the intentional destruction of another's body). And there is simply no Scriptural warrant for this at all. It is wrong to murder, period (Ex. 20:13). Just as a man has the right to do with his body what he pleases so long as he is not violating the laws of God (stealing, adultery, rape, murder, etc., even intentionally withholding conjugal rights from his spouse other than for a brief time for the purpose of prayer - 1 Cor. 7:3-5), so a woman has those same rights. But once the exercise of any "rights" comes into conflict with restrictions God has placed on us all - they are no longer rights but prohibitions. We are not allowed to use our bodies to steal (Ex. 20:15), commit adultery (Ex. 20:14), rape (Deut. 22:25-27), murder (Ex. 20:13), etc. Likewise, regardless of where they live, we are not allowed to murder the innocent, unborn, defenseless, helpless baby - even when he or she is growing inside it's mother's womb from the moment of conception (Ps. 139:13ff). Summary
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