Woman...thou art bound

To a secular, feminist view of womanhood

Recently I heard that T.D. Jakes was turning over the reins of his Woman Thou Art Loosed conference to his daughter.

Truth be told I didn’t even know that conference was still happening.

I remember when I was younger seeing the book on my mom’s nightstand.  I even know of a number of ladies that attended those conferences faithfully. 

Sometimes more than their own local church.

I believe I have even seen the movie that is based on the book.

But, when I reflect on the book, the conferences, the sermon series, and the movie, there is one thing that is missing.  

A true biblical definition of womanhood.

Instead, women are provided with a self-help, bad boss chick ethos.

Meaning, it gives the impression that biblical submission is not important.  God’s order is not the ideal.

No, the ideal is to get the best job, make the most money and live your best life.  If the woman happens to be married, that man better get in line behind her.

Instead of being loosed, the women are bound.

Bound to a secular, feminist view of womanhood.  

Unfortunately, this is the prevailing sentiment in most traditional black churches.

Since the churches are women driven, the messages are women centered.  The women are not admonished for being out of order.

On the contrary, men are put down for not rising to the level of the women.

What does this produce?

An undercurrent of hostility in men who want to live according to God’s Word.  

Or impotent men that are the doormats of their female partners.

And we wonder why men want to stay home from church and watch football?

Now, this does not absolve men from leveling up and taking on the responsibility of shepherding their families.  God will hold all of us accountable for how we tend our gardens.

Yet, it is a reason why some men struggle with taking the lead in a biblical manner.

Because they have been conditioned to lead from behind by the very place that should show them how to lead, the church.

When the man goes to open the door for his wife on the passenger side of the car, instead of cheering him on for wanting to drive, the church calls him a relic of the patriarchy and demands that he rides shotgun.

At least at home he has control of the remote.