Contemporary society has done a commendable job of distorting God's design of the social structure of mankind as He intended for it to be. God's revelation of His will to man (that is the Bible) begins by stating, "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth" (Genesis 1:1). God goes on to state "let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth" (Genesis 1:26-27). We might note that giving man dominion over the rest of animal life puts him at the top of the "food chain," rather than the middle.
In the relationship between man and woman, God observed, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him" (Genesis 2:18). Note that the woman is to be a "helper suitable for him" (NIV). Further, we note, God took woman from man's side. God did not take woman from man's feet that he might trample on her, nor from man's head that she might rule over him, but rather from his side that she might be a companion and a help meet as they journey through life together. "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh" (Genesis 2::24).
Way back in the 20th century, when it was cool for women to smoke tobacco (politically incorrect today -- but of course pot is OK), Virginia Slims advertised (1968) their cigarettes with the motto "You've come a long way, baby" in their effort to reach young professional women. When the equal right amendment came to a head in 1972, most Americans came to the realization that absolute equality might well bring women too far. The military draft, combat duty, alimony and child custody became factors that dissolved the issue. Equal pay for equal work is certainly fair but is still not followed in many areas. Understanding the issues goes back to Christianity and the cultural war against traditional values.
The reason womankind has the rights and prerogatives today are due solely to Christianity. For example, neither the Old Testament nor the Koran gives the woman the right to divorce her husband, period. The New Testament does (Mark 10:10-12). The traditional consideration American wives receive from their husbands is based on the Book of Books. Paul admonishes husbands, "love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it" (Ephesians 5:25). Peter reminds husbands to, "dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered" (1 Peter 3:7).
The traditional American structure of the family is based on the family, as God would have it. It is natural and normal practice of mankind as reflected throughout history. The father is the provider and protector. The mother is the house or home keeper and caregiver. The children are the product and glue of the unit called family, and are to be in obedience to their parents.
Dale I. Royal, Elk City OK
