CSC: WELS Topical Q&A: Christian Living - Human Behavior: Gender Roles: Christian Living - Human Behavior - Gender Roles (23)

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Q:	I have been a WELS member all my life. I recently have been attending pre-marital Bible study with my fiance. She was raised another religion but has not been attending church for several years. She voluntarily agreed to Bible study and we have had some difficulty since. The problem has been with the standard wedding ceremony in the Lutheran Hymnal. The phrase "women submit to your husbands" is part of the issue. Our pastor has explained the context in which the passage is used. This has caused my fiancee to further explore our religion, partially via this Q & A site. She has brought up many issues in which I, a life time WELS member didn't realize. So my questions are as follows: Does our religion truly believe and preach that women should not be allowed to vote in public elections, become a principal of a school, a judge or a CEO of a company because the are supposedly exerting authority over men? I realize this is the case in the church. Are there any alternative wedding ceremonies used by WELS churchs besides the one in the hymnal? What is truly meant by the term "submit"? Is my marriage doomed before it has even begun because my fiancee believes that everyone was created equal and should be treated with mutual honor, respect and love?
A:	Thank for asking your questions. Our prayer is that blessing upon blessing will result from the study of God's Word that you and your fiancee have undertaken. May the attitude of Samuel, "Speak, Lord, your servant is listening" be and remain characteristic of both of you! In answer to your first question I provide this previously given answer: Concerning actions in society the WELS statement on Scriptural Principles of Man and Woman Roles says, "Christians also accept the biblical role relationship principle for their life and work in the world. We therefore strive to apply this role relationship principle to our life and work in the world. Scripture leaves a great deal to our conscientious Christian judgment as we live the role relationship principle in the world. In Christian love we will refrain from unduly binding the consciences of the brothers and sisters in our fellowship. Rather, we will encourage each other as we seek to apply this principle in the world." (Theses 20 and 21) Since the principles of male and female roles are a good thing established by God at creation, they cannot be limited only to religious matters. But since the Bible does not give us a set of rules specifying the application of these principles to work in the world, the church does not make such a set of rules, but teaches the principles and gives members help and advice if desired in applying the principles in their lives. There may be many motives that would lead Christian women to vote in national elections other than a desire to exercise authority over men--for example, to oppose the voice of women who are advocating abortion. In the church we are working with Christians whom we can expect to work together in trust and love according to the principles God has established. We cannot control the form and methods of the state.
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