I believe God is male.
I believe Adam, the first man, had a special position of responsibility toward and representation of the rest of humanity.
I believe women are made in God’s image and have equal inherent value to that of men.
I believe men and women are together called to exercise dominion together. (Two togethers in that sentence on purpose.)
I believe God gave special responsibility, authority, and representation within their family to husbands/fathers.
I believe humans are created to submit.
I believe when someone in a position of submission does not submit, it is a responsibility of the authority to work to get things in proper order, by using instruction, persuasion, prayer, example, or discipline.
I believe when someone in authority is abusing that authority, they will answer to other authorities – ultimately, God.
I believe it can be right and good for a person in a position of submission to appeal the decisions of the authority in a respectful way. And that they can lovingly express concern over the sin of an authority.
I believe God sometimes patiently endures people not submitting to His instructions. He endures authorities leading wickedly. There will be judgment. There are also consequences.
I believe it is right to disobey the commands of any authority which directly contradict the revealed commands of God (or, when hierarchies are in place, of any higher authority).
I believe it is wrong to rebel against authorities who are sinful, abusive, or less than perfect (except in the specific circumstances of specific commands contradicting those of higher authorities). I believe it is wrong for those in submission to overthrow their authority, but not wrong necessarily to pray for it.
I believe in households on a mission together, headed by the father/husband.
I believe in mutual benefits and obligations of fathers/husbands (or landowners/tenants) in the hierarchical arrangements. The works of managing, overseeing, leading, representing, arbitrating are no small work.
I believe in generally observable differences in strengths and inclinations between men and women. And I believe the different things each offers are valuable.
Good men serve by leading.
I believe fathers and mothers both have responsibilities to spend time bringing up their children.
I believe a marriage starts a new household.
I believe people were created to live in households, and independence is a tragedy.
I believe it is possible to contribute to the mission(s) of redeemed humanity without being married or having children. And not all parents or married people do a good job contributing.
I believe men and women are more than their bodies.
I believe it is a significant clue to how we should live, that we have bodies.
I believe husbands and wives owe each other sex and have authority over each other’s bodies in this area.
I believe wise men will often but not always solicit the input of their wives (hopefully they were discipled to choose wise wives), without abdicating the burden of their leadership.
I believe it is not sinful for a woman to work for another family’s household or industry, though this may not be ideal.
I believe a husband has the authority to nullify his wife’s vow.
I believe Jesus sets a good example of headship.
I believe there are limits to the analogy between the marriage relationship and that of Christ and His Church.
I believe there are some church activities wherein the expectations for men and women are different.
I believe Paul’s practice of not permitting a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man in church activities is prescriptive for Jesus’ Church in all ages.
I believe hierarchy in the family preceded the Fall.
I believe God can and does gift some women as prophets, as well as men.
I believe leadership and oversight can be exercised, and obedience can be due to, authorities who are not the head. For example: mothers and church elders.
I believe the only true head of any church is Jesus.
To God be all glory,
Lisa of Longbourn
Thank you. It is so refreshing to see a young woman holding to Biblical boundaries. This little old lady in Georgia (61), a former teacher who sometimes despairs of the current “younger generation,” is heartened by your godly adherence to “the ancient boundary lines” and wishes she could meet you–it would be such an encouragement! Whether we ever meet in this life or not, I know i will meet you in Heaven. Thanks for your posts.