I’m stunned at the names that are rolling through my news feeds. People in politics – on both sides of the aisles – are being accused of harassment. Entertainment has seen its icons topple. Business leaders are falling. Media talking heads are being outed.
It’s cascading down to state and local governments. Leaders left and right are having defend the indefensible. I’m certain every business of any consequence is reviewing their policies and procedure.
While I’m shocked as a man, most women are not. The #MeToo isn’t just a cute hashtag — it’s a cultural indictment.
This discussion and discovery is painful. Like digging out a tumor, it hurts all of us. But in the end I hope it will be good for women, allowing them to have a voice and advancing the need for respect. And my prayer is that these days will help us reset the model of how we treat each other.
But it has to be more than just men behaving better. This model of relationships saturates our society.
I’m sorry but culture can’t have it both ways
The problem with today’s sexualized culture is that you can’t have it both ways. You can’t make movies that press every boundary of sexuality and then complain about a world that follows that example.
You can’t have magazines and TV shows and entertainment in every fashion that reinforces sex without meaning and then be shocked when people have meaningless sexual banter.
You can’t parade misogynists through the music awards shows, draped in half naked women and expect men not to take that ideal of “success” and not objectify women.
You can’t push a standard for beauty that is unattainable for most women and then be shocked when men seek it out.
You can’t vote and promote politicians who are groping by night and yet somehow by day they support “your side.”
And finally, you can’t have respect for women without respect for sex.
The healing for our nation, for our culture is the Christian model for living, those ancient words that seem to lurk over this whole situation.
I half expect Jesus to pop up and say, “See. I told you so!”
He won’t. But I can.
The standard remains the same, despite the level of compliance
The New Testament offers a startling pro-woman approach, especially for the day and culture it was written. The Romans believed women to be property to be used and rarely even tolerated. In stark contrast, the words of Jesus and his followers elevated women to equality and worthy of respect.
Remember what He said about love, respect, and humility. What He said about treating others with dignity, with laying down your life, about honor.
Who was the first person Jesus appeared after his resurrection? A woman. The Apostle Paul shocked the establishment, admonishing men to defend their wives and to love them – even as Christ loved the church.
There will be some who stand on the fence and point out those who have failed – the Christian icons who have been toppled. By time this is published there will be more who fall, tripping on their past and haunted by their present.
Or maybe you are reading these words and you’ve been abused by a counselor or a leader or a pastor or someone you admired. Someone who spoke about faith and morals and yet failed to live up to them. On behalf of their failure, I apologize, and I wish you healing and peace.
But failure to follow doesn’t mean the standard is wrong. If everyone is pushing 65 on the freeway that doesn’t’ mean that 55 isn’t the best speed. And if an off-duty cop pushes 70, it doesn’t negate the standard.
Women are Important to the Modern Church
Jesus modeled how to treat women and that is reflected in Christianity’s teachings. Ultimately, he went to the cross for women — our daughters, our wives, our mothers, our sisters.
And ever since that day God seems first move in the hearts of women as they enact cultural change in their families, communities and churches.
How many men have come home to hear the voice of God coming through their wives? And they know it. God’s conscience is often spoken through the women in our lives. Every serious man knows this to be true. They listen and hear, and we better pay attention.
Culture can’t promote untethered sexuality and still expect mutual respect.
As a culture we are going through a serious, tough analysis of who we are. This opens up many raw memories for women as they have to recount the dignity they’ve lost. But we offer hope and a chance at restoration of relationship.
But as you look at what culture has to offer – with it’s power, pride and position – it pales in comparison to way of Jesus.
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
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