‘Man Fails’: Seminary Professor Claims Stay-at-Home Fatherhood is Un-Biblical
Professor Owen Strachan of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, has a message for stay-at-home dads: You are violating the gender roles that are highlighted and espoused in the Bible. Strachan’s views, which are obviously controversial in nature, have led the academic to refer to “dad moms,“ men to choose to stay home and raise their children as ”man fails” — a less-than-flattering title.
In The Journal for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, Strachan, who teaches about Christian theology and church history, wrote an article entitled, “Of ‘Dad Moms’ and ‘Man Fails’: An Essay on Men and Awesomeness.” In it, he affirmed that women — not men — are “called to the high calling of raising families, given that God blesses them with children and making homes, being homemakers.”...
Frank wrote: First let me say there are always exceptions to rules but the problem is when we form our biblical understanding using the exception rather than the rule. For instance, if a husband becomes disabled and can't work; should the wife work. Well the answer is yes if they have no other means of income, but then does that mean that the man shouldn't be the provider and the woman shouldn't stay home (or work at home); of course not. Without knowing anything more than what you said in your example, I would say that it is probably wrong that the wife is supporting her husband even if he is in the ministry. In fact, I will say that makes it even more wrong. God never asks anyone to violate His teaching so they can serve Him.
Christopher000 wrote: Frank writes: The main point is this, the working out of a spiritual principle might be cultural, but the spiritual aspect of the principle "can't" be cultural. To conclude otherwise is to throw out the Old and New Testaments since they were written 2,000-3500 years ago in a different culture. Many folks simply pick and choose what they choose to believe from God's word and they often use culture as their yardstick. I agree and will add that a stay at home dad or a breadwinning spouse should only be by necessity...not by choice. Culture and political correctness has really taken the edge in matters such as this over clear Biblical doctrine.
Good comment and thanks! And you and I would certainly say that God knows whether it was necessary or simply a compromising choice. We may be confused, but His is not.
But the truths of scripture are not cultural but emanate from God Himself and are applicable from generation to generation.
Frank writes: The main point is this, the working out of a spiritual principle might be cultural, but the spiritual aspect of the principle "can't" be cultural. To conclude otherwise is to throw out the Old and New Testaments since they were written 2,000-3500 years ago in a different culture. Many folks simply pick and choose what they choose to believe from God's word and they often use culture as their yardstick.
I agree and will add that a stay at home dad or a breadwinning spouse should only be by necessity...not by choice. Culture and political correctness has really taken the edge in matters such as this over clear Biblical doctrine.
So a real man can just walk away from his kids and not care.ahh its tradition you say maybe so. The bars are filled with guys like that. Real fathers love their children. But you wouldnt understand that money matters more eh you r a fool
The main point is this, the working out of a spiritual principle might be cultural, but the spiritual aspect of the principle “can’t” be cultural. To conclude otherwise is to throw out the Old and New Testaments since they were written 2,000-3500 years ago in a different culture. Many folks simply pick and choose what they choose to believe from God’s word and they often use culture as their yardstick.
tradition was for man to work the farm and the woman to take care of the family.
dad would see children throughout the day.
the heritage was in the land. now our heritage is invested in the fed.
with darwins rainbow world, woman have advantage.
characteristics that make men excel have been stifled.
the wests rainbow people are conducting the adventures.
it is the men that are needed in a time like this. and traditional life that aids health of family.
I find myself agreeing with the professor but feeling at the same time he points to the problem yet sees not the solution.....that families in this culture are just trying to survive.....if the woman can keep the family going, that's better than drowning in financial problems....
.....the biblical model would be a society that is largely agrarian. without that, the society just won't make it. I have come to this conclusion, so I doubt that keeping everyone on birth control abortifacients and living in the city where whoever works is totally removed from the home....is going to change the tide.
Lot chose the land with the cities on it. Abraham warned him that Sodom was evil open up the land, feed ourselves again. that's the only respectable way to live as a society. founding fathers were farmers.
jjj33 wrote: What would you think of the situation where a man is supported by his wife so he can be a pastor of a small work, and this not a temporary situation but a permanent one?
First let me say there are always exceptions to rules but the problem is when we form our biblical understanding using the exception rather than the rule. For instance, if a husband becomes disabled and can't work; should the wife work. Well the answer is yes if they have no other means of income, but then does that mean that the man shouldn't be the provider and the woman shouldn't stay home (or work at home); of course not.
Without knowing anything more than what you said in your example, I would say that it is probably wrong that the wife is supporting her husband even if he is in the ministry. In fact, I will say that makes it even more wrong. God never asks anyone to violate His teaching so they can serve Him.
What would you think of the situation where a man is supported by his wife so he can be a pastor of a small work, and this not a temporary situation but a permanent one?
Barry from KY wrote: San Jose John and Frank, awsome comments from both. you guys are spot on. I work and my wife is a stay at home mom. She is wonderful with our children and I love her very much. As a side note, I'm sorry you are getting a divorce Jodi, that's sad and a tough situation, you have my prayers.
Frank wrote: 1 Timothy 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. Titus 2:5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. The truly amazing thing is that this article could actually be newsworthy. If 99% of the professors and our other Christian leaders taught against egalitarianism, then the teaching and truth would be common place and not newsworthy. This is indicative of the total lack of discernment within our Christian culture. I remember Palin saying that anyone who taught that a woman with children must stay at home with them when she had something to contribute to society, was a Neanderthal. In the minds of many, money, fame, pragmatism and compromise are the forces that interpret God’s word.
San Jose John and Frank, awsome comments from both. you guys are spot on. I work and my wife is a stay at home mom. She is wonderful with our children and I love her very much. As a side note, I'm sorry you are getting a divorce Jodi, that's sad and a tough situation, you have my prayers.
1 Timothy 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
Titus 2:5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
The truly amazing thing is that this article could actually be newsworthy. If 99% of the professors and our other Christian leaders taught against egalitarianism, then the teaching and truth would be common place and not newsworthy. This is indicative of the total lack of discernment within our Christian culture. I remember Palin saying that anyone who taught that a woman with children must stay at home with them when she had something to contribute to society, was a Neanderthal. In the minds of many, money, fame, pragmatism and compromise are the forces that interpret God’s word.
jodi wrote: I'm a stay at home dad and I love it. I stay home because my wife and I are divorcing But I stayed home for awhile and looked after my two kids and it was rewarding. I love it and so do my children
I normally think the men should work while the women stay at home with the kids, but I do know a couple of men who work from home. Still, it's hard for them do their job and keep and eye on the kids, so it's better if the mom stays home too to help with the kids.
I'm a stay at home dad and I love it. I stay home because my wife and I are divorcing But I stayed home for awhile and looked after my two kids and it was rewarding. I love it and so do my children
Dr. Alan Cairns | 2/8/2009
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