Providing for, cherishing and honoring your wife

The Rev. Tom Brady, senior pastor, First United Methodist Church, 946 Vt.:

My first reaction is to suggest that most of the Bible is misunderstood by both Christians and non-Christians. From the creation of the universe to the resurrection of Jesus, there are numerous questions and misunderstandings.

Perhaps this is why we spend so much time in the church preaching and teaching the Bible. It’s also what makes Bible study so fun, because there is always something more to learn.

However, one passage that frequently gets improperly quoted and applied is the passage from Ephesians 5:21-23 that says “wives, be subject to your husbands : for the husband is the head of the wife.” (RSV)

There are many husbands who have misunderstood this to mean that they have a position of dominance and control over their wife and their wife should do whatever they say. It has also led to varying degrees of manipulation and abuse, all done in the name of the Bible. This is not the intent of the passage.

This passage is set in a much greater context regarding the Christian household. The general principle is that of mutual subjection and respect. Being “the head of the wife” involves the responsibility for cherishing and protecting her.

A husband is to love his wife as much as Christ loves the church. Christ’s example of sacrificial love is at the heart of this passage, which is just the opposite of manipulation and control.

The Apostle Paul goes on to say that a husband and wife “shall become one flesh.” Again there is no position of dominance. Marriage is about expressing mutual love and respect to one another.

– Send e-mail to Tom Brady at tom@fumclawrence.org

Greed, not money, is the root of all evil

Dave Whetter, vicar, Trinity Lutheran Church, 1245 N.H.:

Only one? That’s it?

According to a Gallup survey conducted recently, less than half of those Christians polled could list at least half of the Ten Commandments (see Exodus 20), nor could they identify who delivered the Sermon on the Mount (Jesus). Only three out of five Christians polled could recall the names of the first four books of the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John).

As I thought of specific Bible passages that are misunderstood, one came to mind rather quickly: “Money is the root of all evil.”

The problem is this verse is not in Scripture. The actual verse is “The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10). The text does not say money is bad, and it does not say all evil is attributed to money.

In these words, we are reminded of the first Commandment: “You shall have no other gods.” When we “love” money, we make it a god. Money in and of itself is not evil. In fact, if used wisely, it can be a blessing. The problem for us is that money has a tendency to “tempt” us and in essence call us away from God.

Instead of seeking monetary wealth, Paul goes on in this 1 Timothy text to encourage us to seek God’s will. What is God’s will? According to Paul, it is that we pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.

For those who have monetary wealth, Paul says to not be “haughty,” but be generous and ready to share. Money is not the root of all evil; the root of evil is our greed, our selfishness and our inability to love our neighbor as ourselves.

– Send e-mail to Dave Whetter at dwhetter@tlclawrence.org.