Saturday, January 26, 2008

sexist, but at least we're not racist

Galatians 3:26-29

The key words are: faith, Abraham's seed, heirs. Paul uses a list of comparisons: Jew and Gentile, slave and free, male and female. He also uses a word picture of putting on Jesus like you put on clothes. His point is that in Jesus, we are all children of God equally and share in the promise equally - no matter our racial heritage, our economic status or our gender. In Jesus we are not only equal we are all the same - we are one; made from one blood and redeemed by one blood.
I wanted to get on my soap box in regard to the gender issue. I wanted to point out that we have no problem (generally, almost exclusively) in the Church saying that it doesn't matter what race you are - you are accepted in Christ and have full participation in the body of Christ. We have no problem (again, almost exclusively) saying that it doesn't matter what economic status you have that in Christ we are equal and have full participation in the body of Christ. We have no problem... o, wait! Apparently when it comes to gender, at least in North American Evangelicalism, we do have a problem. Sure, it doesn't matter what gender you are - you are accepted in Christ and can have full participation in the Body of Christ as long as it doesn't involve women in positions of teaching or authority over a man. I wanted to point that out but I also have to point at myself: where do I show favouritism, sexism, racism, snobbery, etc? Where do I set up segregation and hierarchy in the Body of Christ? I know that I am drawn to the "in crowd", to the popular, the athletic and the good looking. I make it seem that only those have full participation in the youth ministry (and, by default, in the Body of Christ). "there is no difference... for all have sinned... and all are justified freely." (Romans 3:22-24)

1 comment:

Jeff Beer said...

Jer, I think we all try and set up our Jesus exclusive clubs. I know this is a struggle of mine as well. Some kids are easeir to deal with than others, some are draining and others are uplifting, it's hard to find that balance, but as followers of Christ we need to treat all as equals, coming from me that means nothing though, as I as well am one of the worst, God help us to love everyone of your children.