Journal entry on readings associated with Plantinga, Ch. 3

1. C.S. Lewis' observations (those I read in class), though perhaps in need of updating, pre-suppose a certain reading of Ephesians 5 and Colossians 3 discussing roles of women and men within a marriage relationship, and then attempt to justify this reading via observations of “typically male” or “typically female” traits, made within a certain period in a certain culture. Do you think these observations are generally true in our day and culture? What happens when an honest appraisal of the God-given characters of both spouses fails to fit Lewis' model?
2. VanLeeuwen says, “Until recently ... when it came to girls, many Christian parents ... assumed and even prayed for a successful career as wife and mother, and nothing else.” Have the differing expectations parents hold for sons vs. daughters largely disappered within the Christian community, or do they remain prevalent? What evidence in your own life, and the lives of siblings and/or friends makes you answer the way you do?
3. VanLeeuwen does not eschew using the idea of “masculine” and “feminine traits.” Why, in her view, is it all right to employ the designation of masculine vs. feminine when it comes to traits, but not when it comes to roles?
4. Comment upon VanLeeuwen's exegesis of Genesis 1:26-3:16. What does she say of the originally-intended roles of men and women, and of the effects of the Fall upon these roles? Does her assessment ring true for you?
5. Some Christians will debate VanLeeuwen on points related to the inerrancy of Scripture. For instance, she says “men and women ... (can) become preoccupied with details concerning headship and submission,” which seems to say that, in Eph. 5:22-24, 33 and Col. 3:18, Paul is writing in a somewhat less-than-inspired fashion about roles in marriage. In the first paragraph of the section entitled ACT TWO: TROUBLE IN PARADISE, she suggests that “the exact historical details (of how the Fall came about) may be debatable,” which leaves open a more metaphorical reading of the Garden of Eden story. Does a change in Christian tradition in order to meet the issues of the day (such as gender within the household and Church) require flexibility on inerrancy? Are her readings of Biblical passages appropriate?