Weighty Words on the Meaning of a Husband's Headship:
John Piper
August 5, 2009
[I have copied this article from the Gender Blog of The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood. It was originally posted on the DesiringGod blog]
What follows is one of the greatest reasons for a man to get married and stay married: not the rapturous flame of eros, but the refining fires of holiness.
No relationship is more clearly commanded to model the death of Christ. No relationship is more costly-in both senses of that word (painful and precious).
This quote comes from one of C. S. Lewis's last books, published in 1960, The Four Loves. In it we hear the wise fruit of a lifetime.
"The husband is the head of the wife just in so far as he is to her what Christ is to the Church. He is to love her as Christ loved the church-read on-and gave his life for her (Ephesians 5:25).
This headship, then, is most fully embodied not in the husband we should all wish to be but in him whose marriage is most like a crucifixion; whose wife receives most and gives least, is most unworthy of him, is-in her own mere nature-least lovable. For the church has no beauty but what the bridegroom gives her; he does not find, but makes her, lovely.
The chrism [anointing, consecration] of this terrible coronation is to be seen not in the joys of any man's marriage but in its sorrows, in the sickness and sufferings of a good wife or the faults of the bad one, in his unwearying (never paraded) care or his inexhaustible forgiveness: forgiveness, not acquiescence.
As Christ sees in the flawed, proud, fanatical or lukewarm Church on earth that bride who will one day be without spot or wrinkle, and labors to produce the latter, so the husband whose headship is Christ-like (and he is allowed no other sort) never despairs. He is a King Cophetua who after twenty years still hopes that the beggar-girl will one day learn to speak the truth and wash behind her ears. (105-106)"
Thursday, August 6
Friday, July 31
Tim Tebow, Man of God…
Last week at the SEC media days in Hoover, Alabama, Tim Tebow, quarterback of the defending BCS Champion Florida Gators, was asked a question that many people are deeming as inappropriate and unnecessary, however I don’t hold to the same opinion.
While the question didn’t mention anything about how Tebow plans to attack opposing defenses and it didn’t mention anything about the Gators version of the “spread” offense, I would say that the question (while not a football question) allowed Tebow yet another opportunity to do what the Bible teaches in 1 Peter 3:15 which says “always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear”.
So here’s the question Tebow was asked by a member of the media… “Tim, are you still a virgin?
For many who haven’t followed Tebow’s career, his answer might have been surprising. Tim replied “Yes I am” and then he chuckled a bit.
You see, Tim Tebow is much more than a Heisman Trophy winner and two-time National Champion Quarterback, Tim Tebow is a real man of God. He is ready for any question that might come his way because he spends time in God’s word. He tries to be “steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord” as 2 Corinthians 15:58 says.
Tebow faces constant scrutiny from the media about his “religion” and about his motives for preaching at prisons and doing evangelistic work in the Philippines, but he always backs up the questions with his actions. 1 Peter 2:12 “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God”
You might say, “well it sounds like Tebow is perfect”? And I would say, of course he’s not, the bible says “all we like sheep have gone astray” Isaiah 53:6. However, Tim makes it his “aim to be well pleasing to the Lord” 2 Corinthians 5:9 and quite frankly, he is the greatest role model in sports today.
Not only is Tim a role model, I would say his family sets a great example for raising Godly children as well. If you look closely at the Tebow family, it’s easy to see why Tim seeks to glorify God with his life... It’s because his parents raised him to fear the Lord (Deuteronomy 6). Just last year I had a chance to talk with Bob and Pam Tebow (Tim’s parents) and after speaking with them it was evident that they want Tim to be a God fearing man, not just a great quarterback!
Bob Tebow has established the BTEA (Bob Tebow Evangelistic Association) which has as its primary goal “to make the Gospel of Jesus Christ available to every person in the world” www.btea.org. The Tebow family desires to reach people with the Gospel and use Timmy’s platform as a football star to spread the good news to the nations.
Tim Tebow is truly a once in a generation athlete and probably will go down as the greatest college football player of all time; but with that said, the reason I am writing this is not to elevate Tim Tebow in an idolatrous fashion, rather, it is to recognize the fact that there are still some real men of God out there that are great role models for our Youth and children. I’m not asking you to support the Gators or even become a Tebow fan, but I am asking you to recognize men whose greatest motive in life is to Glorify God, and then point your children in their direction…
Chad Scarbro
7/29/2009
While the question didn’t mention anything about how Tebow plans to attack opposing defenses and it didn’t mention anything about the Gators version of the “spread” offense, I would say that the question (while not a football question) allowed Tebow yet another opportunity to do what the Bible teaches in 1 Peter 3:15 which says “always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear”.
So here’s the question Tebow was asked by a member of the media… “Tim, are you still a virgin?
For many who haven’t followed Tebow’s career, his answer might have been surprising. Tim replied “Yes I am” and then he chuckled a bit.
You see, Tim Tebow is much more than a Heisman Trophy winner and two-time National Champion Quarterback, Tim Tebow is a real man of God. He is ready for any question that might come his way because he spends time in God’s word. He tries to be “steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord” as 2 Corinthians 15:58 says.
Tebow faces constant scrutiny from the media about his “religion” and about his motives for preaching at prisons and doing evangelistic work in the Philippines, but he always backs up the questions with his actions. 1 Peter 2:12 “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God”
You might say, “well it sounds like Tebow is perfect”? And I would say, of course he’s not, the bible says “all we like sheep have gone astray” Isaiah 53:6. However, Tim makes it his “aim to be well pleasing to the Lord” 2 Corinthians 5:9 and quite frankly, he is the greatest role model in sports today.
Not only is Tim a role model, I would say his family sets a great example for raising Godly children as well. If you look closely at the Tebow family, it’s easy to see why Tim seeks to glorify God with his life... It’s because his parents raised him to fear the Lord (Deuteronomy 6). Just last year I had a chance to talk with Bob and Pam Tebow (Tim’s parents) and after speaking with them it was evident that they want Tim to be a God fearing man, not just a great quarterback!
Bob Tebow has established the BTEA (Bob Tebow Evangelistic Association) which has as its primary goal “to make the Gospel of Jesus Christ available to every person in the world” www.btea.org. The Tebow family desires to reach people with the Gospel and use Timmy’s platform as a football star to spread the good news to the nations.
Tim Tebow is truly a once in a generation athlete and probably will go down as the greatest college football player of all time; but with that said, the reason I am writing this is not to elevate Tim Tebow in an idolatrous fashion, rather, it is to recognize the fact that there are still some real men of God out there that are great role models for our Youth and children. I’m not asking you to support the Gators or even become a Tebow fan, but I am asking you to recognize men whose greatest motive in life is to Glorify God, and then point your children in their direction…
Chad Scarbro
7/29/2009
Thursday, July 16
The Big Apple Experience
I just returned from a mission trip to New York City with our High School youth. The scope of our effort was to team up with the New York School of Urban Ministry located in Queens. NYSUM is a non-denominational, evangelical, Christian organization that ministers to the homeless, lower income, and disabled of NYC. They allow churches to send mission teams there for hands-on evangelism and ministry training. NYSUM partners with and provides volunteers for dozens of Christian ministries, charities, and churches all over the city.
I was so blessed to see our youth and adults serve, evangelize, and basically love on arguably the poorest people in the country. The team served meals at soup kitchens, passed out toiletries and food to the homeless, sang songs and painted buildings for those with Cerebral Palsy, did clown evangelism in Times Square, and prayerwalked on Wall Street. Each of these ministries called for our team members to be stretched well outside of their comfort zones and to rely completely upon the Holy Spirit's resources.
I never heard a whine or complaint even when there were sudden schedule changes or when tiredness set in. I am always thankful for belonging to a church that provides members of all ages multiple opportunities to fulfill the Great Commission and the Great Commandment. I see in our High School youth a maturity level and an openness to give of themselves that truly amazes me at times.
This coming Thanksgiving, the Family Ministry has scheduled another trip to work with NYSUM. This will be a trip for youth and their families to go and serve primarily the homeless during the Holidays and during the cold November winter. I am praying the many families will take advantage of this opportunity to serve God together and reach out to those in desperate physical and spiritual need.
I was so blessed to see our youth and adults serve, evangelize, and basically love on arguably the poorest people in the country. The team served meals at soup kitchens, passed out toiletries and food to the homeless, sang songs and painted buildings for those with Cerebral Palsy, did clown evangelism in Times Square, and prayerwalked on Wall Street. Each of these ministries called for our team members to be stretched well outside of their comfort zones and to rely completely upon the Holy Spirit's resources.
I never heard a whine or complaint even when there were sudden schedule changes or when tiredness set in. I am always thankful for belonging to a church that provides members of all ages multiple opportunities to fulfill the Great Commission and the Great Commandment. I see in our High School youth a maturity level and an openness to give of themselves that truly amazes me at times.
This coming Thanksgiving, the Family Ministry has scheduled another trip to work with NYSUM. This will be a trip for youth and their families to go and serve primarily the homeless during the Holidays and during the cold November winter. I am praying the many families will take advantage of this opportunity to serve God together and reach out to those in desperate physical and spiritual need.
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