The Biblical Role of the Pastor's wife - South African Theological ...

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of Lazenby. On this point, I believe Fitzpatrick is truer to the biblical evidence than Lazenby. Both man and woman equally represent God. Each human being is created to bear God’s image, therefore this could not be limited to a husband and wife relationship. Single Christians need to understand they are created in the image of God. However, the completeness found in the marriage relationship must be considered, as a Christian couple become one (Gen. 2:23; Eph. 5:31) they become the image of God in unity. 3.1.2 Summary It is evident from scripture as well as different scholars that God created both male and female in His image. He created them equal and distinct; He created them for unity and purpose. We, as male and female, bear the image of our Creator. Our likeness is that of God’s, in the way we unite with our spouses, rule of creation and reflect God’s character. With this as a foundation, let us explore the unique purpose of woman. 3.2. The Purpose of Woman In Genesis 2, the author describes God’s creation of woman from man’s side. By pointing out the unique creation of the wife, who is first and foremost a woman, the author of Genesis desires to emphasise her purpose and intimate relationship to her husband. Ortlund (1991:100) points out that God within the perfection of His creation found that there was “one deficiency in Paradise. The man needed ‘a helper suitable for him.’” Ortlund claims that God did not immediately produce a suitable helper, He first allowed Adam to name all the animals and find that there were no creatures suitable for him, a process of self-realisation. Genesis 2:19-20 indicates that God first formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and the birds of the air. Once the creatures were all named it was clear that no suitable helper was found for Adam. God created woman from the very flesh of man. Using one of man’s ribs God formed woman indicating his equal, match and partner in life (Shelley, 1988:5). Eve was created as Adam’s partner, equally in God’s image and called to glorify God (Fitzpatrick, 2003:35). The identification of one as a 78
helper has often brought the connotation of one who might be inferior. However, within Scriptural context, the identification of Adam’s wife as his most suitable helper is one of profound placement. Let us examine the term “helper”. 3.2.1. Helper: Genesis 2:18 The word helper (Hebrew noun: ’êzer) is used 21 times in the Old Testament. It is most often used to describe God as a helper (Schultz, 1980:660). The word in relation to the creation of Eve denotes function (Patterson, 1995): The phrase “comparable to him” (Heb. kenegdo, lit. ‘corresponding to what is in front of him’). Designed as the perfect counterpart for the man, the woman was neither inferior nor superior, but she was alike and equal to the man in her personhood while different and unique in her function. Piper and Grudem (1991:408-409) point out that God has created woman as man’s loyal and suitable assistant to help tend the Garden and for procreation. The function of Eve is not less valuable to the maintenance of the Garden or to the furthering of mankind but the shared responsibilities involve each accomplishing complimentary tasks. Peace (2005:49) attests to the fact that both man and woman were created to bear God’s image. However, due to the fact that man was created first and given the responsibility to rule over the earth it becomes woman’s responsibility to be a helper suitable for man as he carries out his ruling. Each person performs different roles within the relationship, each equally important and of worth, however distinct in authority. Many feminist theologians will disagree with Peace contending the idea that females are in some way subordinate to their male counterparts. As Rosenzwig (1986:277-80) points out, God instructs humankind to be fruitful and multiply and to rule over all creation equally. The usage of the Hebrew term ’êzer, according to Rosenzwig, denotes far more than the English term helper can offer. The term indicates an “indispensable companion”. 79
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THE BIBLICAL ROLE OF THE PASTOR’S
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ACKOWLEDGEMENTS To my wonderful hus
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TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1: INTROD
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2.4.3 Do you enjoy your role as the
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CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION 5.1 Review of
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wife reveals that her role is poorl
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Whether through particular need or
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local church, with special referenc
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1.2.3. Methodology for Chapter 3: A
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CHAPTER 2 Situation Analysis: The P
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This chart indicates that the major
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The wives interviewed for this rese
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identifies some key issues with reg
Page 27 and 28: not specifically selected; they wer
Page 29 and 30: 200 congregants were nominally invo
Page 31 and 32: 2.3.5 How many years have you been
Page 33 and 34: Two wives indicated that they were
Page 35 and 36: congregational members could be rai
Page 37 and 38: ecause their husbands were in essen
Page 39 and 40: 2.3.13 Do you believe Scripture tea
Page 41 and 42: and yet were called upon to fulfil
Page 43 and 44: needs also to be clear as to what s
Page 45 and 46: It should be noted that an informal
Page 47 and 48: suitable to each wife could be impo
Page 49 and 50: eason or another must work but inev
Page 51 and 52: 23B3w: I feel better now as I have
Page 53 and 54: 23C2y: Developing relationships wit
Page 55 and 56: ecause certain things are left undo
Page 57 and 58: 2.4.7 Have you established any boun
Page 59 and 60: 2.4.8 To what extent is the church
Page 61 and 62: 22B3q: Yes, I believe the church do
Page 63 and 64: 2.4.11 What message would you wish
Page 65 and 66: as a church member or Christian and
Page 67 and 68: immediate family requirements, this
Page 69 and 70: 22B3q: I do regret not having the t
Page 71 and 72: ministry and afford all time and ev
Page 73 and 74: 2.5 Identifying the Role of the Pas
Page 75 and 76: CHAPTER 3 A Biblical Perspective on
Page 77: everything was very good. Sailhamer
Page 81 and 82: elationship. For the purpose of thi
Page 83 and 84: Patterson’s article (1991:369) pr
Page 85 and 86: creatures and therefore find it nat
Page 87 and 88: church so that a foundation for the
Page 89 and 90: teaching began to create conflict a
Page 91 and 92: 3.4.2 1 Timothy 3:11: The Female De
Page 93 and 94: office. Fitzmyer’s understanding
Page 95 and 96: feminist theology, women in leaders
Page 97 and 98: public duty than any Christian woma
Page 99 and 100: Edwards and Mathews (2002:27) descr
Page 101 and 102: move outward to help future pastors
Page 103 and 104: The majority of pastors’ wives wh
Page 105 and 106: 4.2.1. Directives to the Body of Ch
Page 107 and 108: within a job portfolio of a deacon.
Page 109 and 110: within the church as God enables th
Page 111 and 112: Events of encouragement may differ
Page 113 and 114: Bare (a pastor’s wife herself) ev
Page 115 and 116: can place her trust. It is vital th
Page 117 and 118: Two books of exceptional value rega
Page 119 and 120: maintain your spiritual self must b
Page 121 and 122: 4.4.5. Mentoring 28 A mentoring pro
Page 123 and 124: consistent encouragement. Pastors
Page 125 and 126: wives and to what extent wives unde
Page 127 and 128: perceived limitations of this role.
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Roberts (1995) and Dobson (2001) of
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Works Cited Adams, Jay E. 1984. She
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Fitzpatrick, Elyse M. 2003. Helper
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Women in the Early Church: Christia
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Roberts, Wes. 1995. Support your lo
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IL: Christianity Today, Inc. Online
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Appendix 2 Additional reading regar
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Grade 12 3,351 14.99 4,684 20.95 8,
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HOUSING PROFILE Type of Dwelling, O
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N.G. Church Somerset- West C/O Dirk
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11. Describe your role in the local
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8. Would you consider yourself the
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1962: The Role of the Minister’s
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Appendix 8: Online Support for Past
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