Biblical Patriarchy

In this modern, politically correct age in which we live, the whole concept of “Biblical Patriarchy” is a dirty word. It would not surprise me if my blog gets blacklisted on internet filtering software due to my use of this very unpopular concept. Yet, I submit to you that Biblical Patriarchy is the means with which God has worked with man from the beginning of time.

Even before the fall of Adam, God created woman to be a “help-meet” or a helper of the man. She was to assist him in taking dominion over the Earth. Yes, they were a team. They were to work it together. However, the ultimate responsibility for leading this new family landed squarely on the shoulders of Adam. Adam and Eve both sinned in the Garden of Eden. Those who would claim that woman is inferior because “she sinned” are simply just misinformed. In fact, the scripture tells us that the woman was deceived, but the man sinned willfully.

And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
(1Ti 2:14)

Yet, through this episode, we see God’s design for leadership unfolding.

For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.
(1Co 11:7)

Throughout the scriptures, families were always represented by the father of the household. This was the beginning of our republican form of government, and formed the basis for the American republic when our ancestors sought to form a new nation, based on the truth of scripture. It is a common fallacy (even consistently spoken from the White House) that America is a democracy. When a woman asked Benjamin Franklin, what kind of government have you given us? He replied judiciously, “A republic, Ma’am, if you can keep it.” This is important when considering the context of Biblical patriarchy and male headship within the family.

The founders of this country knew exactly what they were doing when they limited the right to vote to men. They did not set it up this way because they despised women. They did not feel that women were ignorant or were incapable of thinking on their own. They intentionally set our republic up in this manner in order to promote the concept of America being composed of family units, rather than individuals. In this way, the family was promoted as the basic building block of society. For it is through families, including a father and a mother, that children are raised properly. Our city, state, and federal office holders are/were in office to represent the “families” in their districts, not the individuals. This is the reason that the 19th Amendment was not passed until the 20th century. It was during the 20th century that our society successfully emasculated its men. It was during this dreadful century that men left their responsibilities as providers to their families. The 20th century brought with it a virulent attack on the Biblical concept of patriarchy. What is the fruit of this crusade? Women have left the home en masse. Children (what few of them there are) are being raised in daycare centers. The number and strength of sexually transmitted diseases have skyrocketed. Divorce is rampant with over 50% of all marriages ending in divorce. Of those marriages that have remained in tact, many, many are plagued with infidelity. This problem is exasperated by interoffice romances. I don’t know what the official stats are, but a quick look around my office reveals that there is roughly an even amount of men and women in the workplace in corporate America. Is it any wonder that temptation for infidelity exists when a man goes to work and spends the lion’s share of his time working with other women? Then he goes home at night only to see his wife and family for a few hours before having to repeat the same thing the next day. The potential for hazard is even greater if that same wife has been working with other men for the greater part of her day. God created man and wife to work together, not independently. We should expect to see these types of problems when we ignore His design.

Some accuse Christianity of trampling on women. Nothing could be further from the truth. It is in Christianity that women are held in high esteem. A wife is a picture of Christ’s Church. Husbands are instructed to love their wives in the same manner as Christ loves His Church. This is a very high standard indeed! Christ loves His Church with an immeasurable love. It is a love whereby He gave His own life for His bride, and took her sins upon Him who knew no sin. So, unlike Islam, which treats women like dogs, Christianity esteems women as being equal in worth and value to men.

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
(Gal 3:28)

Yet, we can not take this verse out of context and make a claim that there are no God ordained roles for men and women. Though equal in worth and value, the scripture clearly shows the roles He has ordained.

But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
(1Co 11:3)

So, what is the answer to the situation we find ourselves in? We must seek to return to the God ordained ways of structuring our families, our churches, and our government. Parents should seek to return home with their families. Understanding that fathers have been given the responsibility of providing for their households, this return home should start first with mothers. Then, as God allows, the father can seek to move from a corporate culture back to a family based enterprise. Through the reintegration of the Christian family, and the reestablishment of the Biblical Patriarchal roles God has given us, we can, once again move this country in a godly direction, and preserve for our progeny, a Godly heritage. May God once again “Bless America” as we seek to follow His commandments.