Recently, the Pentagon has decided on removing the "1994 ban on women in combat." The article I posted above airs three unique views from a Christian perspective on this issue. I found it was interesting to see so many different opinions and interpretations from this group of people that all have The Bible as their base foundation. The three arguments this article presents are:
1. Active combat is not a role meant for women. However, when men fail, it is the tragic pattern and responsibility of women to take their place.
- God's design for women put them at a disadvantage physiologically: "men are generally larger, stronger, and faster, and have greater lung capacity, a faster metabolism, and roughly 11 times the testosterone of women."
- The Bible consistently portrays men protecting women
- An interesting example: Adam fails to protect Eve: "For this reason, God addressed him first after the forbidden fruit was eaten: "Where are you?" (Gen. 3:9)."
2. Sacrificial love is a core principle of Christianity, women shouldn't be denied this choice on the basis of gender.
- The Bible states there is no greater love than to sacrifice one's life for their friend
- Biblical history provides examples of women upholding this principle: "Esther was willing to sacrifice herself by braving the wrath of the king even unto death, in order to save her people." "Judith was not a warrior, yet she beheaded the Assyrian king's general. Deborah, a prophetess and a judge of Israel, guided her people during peace and war. When war and oppression came, she battled against the superior Canaanite army herself and led her male troops to victory."
- Line btw. combat and noncombat has disappeared
3. We are all blessed with different gifts. Each person has their own gift and rather than basing who's best suited for a role on gender it should be based on ability.
- "Earlier in my career, I was responsible for the safety of 30 crewmembers as the officer-in-charge aboard an 80-ton training vessel. When caught in an offshore squall, the entire crew became seasick and I felt as if I were the only one left to steer the boat.
I was relieved to see five crewmembers gain the resolve and iron will to maintain their posts in spite of their illness. As a small team, we brought the vessel safely into port. All five of these tough sailors were women. Once the males saw their female colleagues in action, not only did any doubts about the women's abilities disappear, the whole crew grew stronger as well."
- "As Christians, we should seek to serve where we are gifted."
- Galatians 3:28: "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
* While reading the Bible and this article, a question important to me is brought up: What is the role of a Christian woman?
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