[Vision2020] Message from a Christ Church Wife

[keely emerinemix]

Christian Burns needs to avail himself of some good Biblical teaching on the 
issue of submission, headship and hierarchy, although I'm afraid he'll be 
sorely disappointed that the privilege of maleness is a result of the Fall 
and not God's original intention for humankind.  It seems to have worked out 
so well for him, and of course that's the measure of all things -- how well 
it works for us, others be damned.

Which is the Biblical point of submission.  Believers are to submit to one 
another, period.  That means going out for Chinese with my friend when it's 
her preference, even if I want Mexican, because she's more important to me 
than my love of carne asada.  The bigger picture:  it means concern for 
everyone around me, knowing that their Biblical submission will result in 
concern for me, too.  And in this case, it means that a husband who would 
see his wife in agony because of a church situation and yet still claim male 
privilege to stand his ground is being grossly unloving and unBiblical and 
is unworthy of defense by a brother in the Lord.  I submit to my husband -- 
and he to me -- not because of his maleness, but because of his humanness, 
just as I would submit to everyone else around me.  The church is not an old 
boys network -- or at least that wasn't the intention -- and the "suck it up 
and submit, sister" bit is galling.

And by the way, Mr. Burns, I'm sure Martin Luther would be amused at your 
stern rebuke about God never rewarding a spirit of division.  It's good to 
separate from the toxic things in life by proclaiming truth, which is a 
spirit of devotion to Christ.  I can't help but think that more devotion to 
Him would result in a church that looks radically different from what you 
appear to be used to, although it'd sure be a lot less fun for the guys . . 
.

your local Biblical feminist and submissive wife, sister, friend and 
neighbor,

keely emerine mix





.

From: debismith at moscow.com
To: Vision2020 at moscow.com
Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Message from a Christ Church Wife
Date: Fri, 11 Feb 2005 00:06:52 -0800

OK, I have now seen something much more offensive than spitting or "one 
nostril
blowing". Christian burns left me needing shower or three.  A wife's 
calling, like it or
not, is supporting her husband? A mandate from God to submit? My husband was
rolling on the floor laughing!!!!! My fully functional, self-supporting, 
adult children let
me know this bozo needs some therapy!! (Though out of Moscow, they both
subscribe to v2020). Christian "Burns" indeed!!! What a piece of idiocy!!  
In the spirit
of charity, however, I want "Christian " to know that whatever blows his 
skirt up is fine
by me.....
Debi


Dear ChristChurch Wife,

I hear what you are saying. I don't know Doug Wilson, never met him. I
do not doubt how you feel.

I just wanted to offer some thoughts that I had while reading your
post. I am speaking as a Christian to another Christian, I know this
will sound insensitive to most people.

First of all I wanted to say how sorry I am for the state of your
marriage. You and your husband lack unity. The goal of marriage is
intimacy, and you have this huge wedge between you.

I have been a part of a church with a strong leader that has hurt
people, friends of mine. Caused offence and they took the bait of the
enemy and left the church. It was hard to witness, it didn't have to
go down like it did. People harbor bitterness and it gives a place for
the enemy to thrive in their lives and family. My heart breaks for
them. Some have come through all right, others are rotting from the
inside out.

I have also been part of churches with weak leaders. They have a whole
other set of issues. I have seen families destroyed because people
were not held accountable for sin.

My point is that you have a mandate from God as a wife and mother. It
is not to convince your husband that he is wrong in how he is leading
your family. Your calling whether you like it or not is to support
your husband. Submit to him as the Church is to submit to Christ. Your
husband is called to submit himself to Christ.

If you continue to press for your family to leave by pointing out the
faults of those in your church, you will destroy your family, not save
it. I know that you might disagree with that statement but I would
challenge you to look in scripture.

My wife thinks that your focus needs to me coming into unity with your
husband, not trying to get him to heed your words. Let him lead,
support him.

I am also going to mention your children. I don't know how old they
are or how many you have. But if they feel that bitterness in you
towards others, it will effect them in a bad way.

Are you going outside of your husbands covering and getting together
with others to share your concerns about the church? Stop it, resolve
that God has placed your family where it is and that He never rewards
a spirit of division.

If you want to talk to my wife further about her thoughts, email me
and I will give you her cell phone number. She said that you can talk
to her more about your situation.

And I may be ridiculed for posting this, but I really felt that I needed to.

Christian Burns






On Wed, 9 Feb 2005 19:22:01 -0800 (PST), ChristChurch Wife
<christchurchwife at yahoo.com> wrote:
 > Dear Visionaries,
 >
 > I am a Christ Church wife.  Of the many of things I could write, I 
decided
 > in the end that what I’m about to write is the most important.  I 
realize
 > there’s no reason why you should trust an anonymous posting like 
mine but
 > it's my hope that somehow you'll decide to read it anyway.
 >
 > It’s amazing how God has been so merciful to Christ Church/Trinity 
members
 > through this forum.  Many of you have been such a comfort to me and you
 > don’t even know it.  It’s hard to belong to a church whose 
pastor treats
 > people the way Doug Wilson does, especially those who oppose him 
publicly.
 > No, it’s not hard, I take that back.  It’s horrible.  
It’s become a
 > nightmare. It’s shame and outrage and grief that no amount of 
tears can
 > wash away. Part of me wants to write a thousand more words but I 
won’t
 > waste your time.  Why?  Because of the glaring question that logically
 > follows: “Then why don’t you leave that church?”  I'm 
working on it as
 > hard as I can. Some day I will get out but when I leave I refuse to go
 > alone.  I will be taking my family with me.  I will not allow my marriage 
to
 > be destroyed or my children split apart in the process. Slowly and
 > consistently my husband has begun to heed the wo! rds I speak to him
 > regarding Christ Church.  The day is coming when his eyes will be fully 
open
 > and his faith will lead the way.  That is the day we’ll leave.  I 
believe
 > that with all my heart.  It's coming.  But even then, the road to 
recovery
 > will be long. That's okay.  I'm not deceived.  My marriage will survive 
and
 > we'll be fine again someday.  Nobody said that only husbands are 
responsible
 > to protect their families. Wives are called to do the same. Mine is also 
a
 > rescue and recovery mission and you, on this forum, have been an 
incredible
 > blessing in this long, difficult process.
 >
 > My reason for posting today is because I want to say thank you. With all 
my
 > heart I thank you for how you do your best to help open the eyes of 
Christ
 > Church/Trinity people. (I dislike that word "Kirkers.") Thank you for the
 > insight and careful observations you've brought to issue after issue
 > concerning Christ Church.  I especially appreciate how determined you are 
in
 > your resolve to speak forth.  Thank you for your example of courage, for
 > exposing the tactics of Doug Wilson and refuting them. For remaining
 > vigilant no matter how Christ Church leaders respond to you. Thank you 
for
 > the humorous statements that have literally made my day so many times.
 > It’s amazing how much strength one can get from humor. Thank you 
for all
 > the personal time you've given in posting.  And most of all, thank you 
for
 > your compassion for Christ Church wives and children and even our 
husbands
 > that has comforted me time and time again. It’s been overwhelming.
 >
 > I've learned so much about people from Vision 2020.  Your service to the
 > Palouse is unquestionable. People who don't even know me care about me 
and
 > in their own way have tried to help me. My mind has been stretched.  My
 > world has perspectives it never had before. I’ve gained more 
understanding
 > and compassion for others in ways that have made me a far better person.  
I
 > don't have to agree with everything written on a post to be able to say
 > thank you for writing it.  I see in you a true desire to make the Palouse 
a
 > better place to live.  I see individuals trying and one by one 
it’s
 > working. Thank you.  Thank you with all my heart for what you’ve 
done for
 > me as a person and Christian.
 >
 > If I may, I would like to say a special thanks to Tom Hansen for his "Not 
on
 > the Palouse" site.  God only knows how many people have been spared the
 > grief I've known because of it. For their lives sake, I thank you.
 >
 > Because the Daily News, understandably, will not accept anonymous letters
 > I’d also like to publicly thank Vera White for her brave column.  
She has
 > withstood the vehemence of Wilson's world for years and done it with
 > remarkable grace. She never ceases to amaze me with her lion's heart. 
Vera's
 > example of courage and integrity in journalism has inspired me more than
 > she’ll ever know.  Even if I don't agree with every word she says, 
she's
 > my hero. Thank you, Vera.  Thank you forever.
 >
 > Thank you, Vision 2020, for allowing me to post this.
 >
 > With deepest gratitude and respect,
 > A Christ Church wife
 >
 >
 >  ________________________________
 > Do you Yahoo!?
 >  Yahoo! Search presents - Jib Jab's 'Second Term'
 >
 >
 > _____________________________________________________
 >  List services made available by First Step Internet,
 >  serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994.
 >                http://www.fsr.net
 >           mailto:Vision2020 at moscow.com
 > 
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 >
 >
 >

_____________________________________________________
  List services made available by First Step Internet,
  serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994.
                http://www.fsr.net
           mailto:Vision2020 at moscow.com
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯

_____________________________________________________
  List services made available by First Step Internet,
  serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994.
                http://www.fsr.net
           mailto:Vision2020 at moscow.com
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯