Women's Inferiority?

The editorial, "The Baptists" (Star-Telegram, June 11), leaves false impressions that need to be corrected. Although I am not a Baptist, I appreciate their desire to take a stand on some issues that God has already addressed (e.g., homosexuality, authority of the Bible). This also is true regarding the subject of the editorial—women’s role.

The editorial writer stated that he/she is "troubled by the message of woman’s inferiority to man" and further stated that the Southern Baptist Convention "makes one sex inferior to the other." This fails to understand the term inferiority and it interprets the Convention’s stand in a different way that what the body intended. While the term can mean "lower in station and rank," generally it means "of little or less importance, value, or excellence" (The Random House College Dictionary). The Baptists do not say women are of less importance, value, or excellence than men! Further, they do not degrade or demean women by their observation that the Bible says women are to be under subjection to men. Rather, they elevate women to their traditional place of honor, respect, and appreciation.

The writer of the editorial is not arguing with a 15.9 million member denomination, but is contending with the Word of God itself. It is the Bible that commands, "You wives, be submissive to your own husbands" (1 Peter 3:1) and says that "the husband is the head of the wife" (Ephesians 5:23). This must not be explained away—either by a denomination or by an editorial—but it must be believed and obeyed. Further, not only is the husband the head of the wife, but women in general are under submission to men in general. Again, the Bible speaks clearly: "The man is the head of a woman" (1 Corinthians 11:3).

In summary, the man and the woman are equal in regard to their humanity, mental powers, access to God, and many other aspects. But, under God, the man has authority over the woman. In keeping with many other Scriptural commands, this authority is not abusive, autocratic, demeaning, harsh, or unkind. Instead, it is responsible, gentle, kind, and understanding. In turn, the submission of the woman is not a fearful, resentful, and irresponsible subjection. Instead, the woman gratefully accepts the role of submission that God, in His wisdom, has assigned to her.

The editorial writer needs to be able to distinguish between unscriptural inferiority and Scriptural submission. Otherwise, one may find himself/herself opposing the order that God Himself requires.

Richard Hollerman
(Fort Worth Star-Telegram)