BAPTISTS AND WOMANLY SUBMISSION

Your front page article, "Texas Baptists reject women’s submission" (Star-Telegram, Nov. 10, 1999) is a sad commentary on the Southern Baptist Convention of Texas. The Baptist "moderates" (i.e., liberals) do not merely have a quarrel with the conservatives. Rather, they choose to oppose God’s own revealed will given through the apostles on the relationship of the husband and wife.

God inspired Peter to write, "You wives, be submissive to your own husbands" (1 Peter 3:1). Paul likewise wrote, "Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord" (Ephesians 5:22). Although the husband is to love, understand, care for, and sacrifice for his wife, we never read, "Husbands, be subject to your wives." The Baptist statement of faith is Scriptural when it says that Christian wives are "to submit graciously to the servant leadership of their husbands."

The Bible is not difficult to understand in this matter. Those who object to Scriptural marital hierarchy (the loving headship of the husband, the humble submission of the wife, and mutual love and respect for God in both) are not just opposing conservatives. They disagree with God Himself. Although I am not a Baptist, I must commend those who are taking their stand on the Scriptures rather than popular contemporary ideas, relativistic practices, and culturally-acceptable views.

Richard Hollerman
(Fort Worth Star-Telegram)