If it was not the case that woman was created to be man's helper specifically for the production of children, then why would she have been created as a "helper"? Was it so that she might work the land with him? No because there did not exist any such labor for which he needed a helper, and even if such work had been required, a male would have been a better assistant. One can also posit that the reason for her creation as a helper had to do with the companionship she could provide for the man, if perhaps he got bored with solitude. Yet for company and conversation, how much more agreeable it is for two male friends to dwell together than for a man and a woman!...I can not think of any reason for woman's being made as man's helper, if we dismiss the reason of procreation.Poor guy. He had such potential.
Thursday, January 24
Reason for Women
I came across this section of writing from Augustine, one of the great influences in church history.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
7 comments:
As a guy, I feel sorry for Augustine - the poor guy just didn't get it, did he? He preferred male companionship all of the time? Hmmmmm? God created woman and declared, "very good." My vote is with God.
I heard a sermon about the definition of "helper" in these verses a few months ago. No where in there did the minister mention having the babies being the only way of doing so! I have a lot to offer (in my opinion). And what about women who can't conceive? Are they not suited to be married? That would be sad.
We have been using this in our pre-marital classes at Agape. The Hebrew for helper is Neged which means opposite or "complement." Women complement men. God created male and female in God's image but both complement each other.
It is not only important for men and women to be together in an intimate relationship to complement each other--it is equally important for males and females to live together non-sexually to complement each other.
Augustine also praised his mom (Monica) as the model for wifehood. Monica told other women the reason she was not abused, like they were, was because she learned to avoid her husband's wrath by being "good."
As one theologian said, "Augustine is to blame for screwing us up theologically."
Ol' Augie is going to get some serious ribbing about this in Heaven.
I wonder if this is a case of a spurned man...
I am reminded of the song sung by Professor Higgins to his friend Colonel Pickering in the musical "My Fair Lady" (based on Bernard Shaw's Pygmalian), where he laments that his guy friends are not offended when he doesn't send them flowers, when they sit in silent for hours, when he had a "drink or two", etc. Yet, at the end of the play, he has grown so "accustomed" to Eliza Doolittle that he wants her back. Now, that is more like it!
Oh yeah, he would have been a great date! I was surprised (in an annoyed way) by a lot of those early father's comments. I mean, he totally forgot that we are also here to put food on the table!
Post a Comment