natalie's narrative

Some war links

Just catching up on emails and blog reading after a fun weekend…and came across a couple of thoughts about the war in Iraq—or Americans’ views on the war in Iraq—that I thought I would pass along:

The Global Church and America's War

And this one was funny, but too true: O.J.!

"Accessorizing their texts with women"

I enjoy reading Christian anthropology professor Jenell Paris’ blog, and today’s post was very share-worthy. An article in Christianity Today that isn’t yet available online angered her, and after reading her description of it, I’m sure it will do the same to me once I get the chance to check it out. The article is about Mark Driscoll, pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle. Driscoll is known for being a man’s man, and he can say things, especially concerning women, in a brash way. His reasoning is that church has been too feminized, so his behavior serves to reach out to (very “masculine”) men.

Dr. Paris describes how women are portrayed in the article: 

“There are several mentions of what one ought to do with one's wife: bathe with her, seduce her (and it will lead to ministry inspiration!), violently attack bullies who may harm her, and lead her. Driscoll's wife is described as 'attractive', as her father's daughter, and as 'looking on' in a photograph. A Mars Hill Churchfemale staff member 'shook with emotion' during her interview.

[…] 

The only woman in the article whose physical appearance, emotional weakness, or family status remained unmentioned is Jennifer McKinney, director of the women's studies program at Seattle Pacific University and a critic of Mars Hill Church's effect on women she has known. We are left to our own assumptions about women of unknown marital status who run feminist academic programs. She has a doctorate, also, and should have also been referred to by her credentials, not only her administrative role.”

Dr. Paris wonders how far we’ve really gone. We say the church is changing and reforming, and that we’ve come up with innovative ways to reach people. I think a lot of positive changes have come about, but in other ways we are no different than past generations, especially in terms of gender, race, nonviolence, and putting our national interests before our faith. Dr. Paris remarks:

“In the last few years I have seen too many male authors of a 'new generation' in evangelical books and magazines accessorize their texts with women, and legitimize patriarchy by quoting a woman who likes it. Men are referred to by name and in terms of accomplishment, whereas women are described in terms of their physical attributes, in terms of who they belong to (husbands or fathers or --aack!-- no one), and are belittled in terms of their supposedly constant need for protection, leadership, and emotional expression.”

Check out her whole post! It’s a good read: Do you like being repressed? I don't.