So is godliness for women so linked to Home that it is difficult to envisage a love of God and service of others (apart from those who live in the house) that excludes having people over?
Ordinarily speaking, godliness is expressed by all Christians (female and male) in relational hospitality. In the case of a chronically fatigued mother of five with home schooling responsibilities, having people over doesn't even come into the mind as a possibility to be rejected. It's not that she doesn't want them there, her brain just can't think about that many things. Thankfully a grace-filled community of saints recognise that situation and support her in love. Her husband is free to organise guests on both their behalfs, and prepare whatever hospitality is required to entertain them, whenever he wants. Sadly, he has his own issues. Gary.
Absolutely - maybe, for whatever reason, no-one wants to come to the house.
We've lived in several areas where we have invited people from our neighbourhood or church to meet us over afternoon tea / visit us at our home and no-one comes. I think this is a cultural thing; I don't think we stink.
Certainly a cultural thing. Japanese don't usually invite people over. One of the reasons is that their places are so tiny. However, they often express hospitality by hosting people to a meal at a restaurant or a picnic or an overnight trip to hot springs. But in our culture, I do think that that not inviting people over would be an exception to the rule. However, it is between God and the person, not something that we can judge from the outside.
I'd like to speak up on behalf of all the non-Christian agoraphobic husbands who would find it a stumbling block if strangers kept invading.
As has been mentioned already, 'woman' in the statement could as easily be 'man' - I don't believe that it is any more incumbent on the female sex to be welcoming.
But I'll add, it's the wrong question. It sounds like a Pharisee would phrase it. (No offence!) Is 'It is quite possible that there could exist godly reasons for a believer to never host anyone in their house' any better?
On a different note - is it possible that the title of your next post is your subconscious trying to reach you with an answer, Simone?!
yes.
ReplyDeleteIf you don't own a house?
ReplyDeleteAl - why?
ReplyDeleteIzaac - okay. Is it possible to be a godly woman and never have anyone over to the place you live?
Depends on the reason/s that no-one has ever been invited over.
ReplyDeleteGary.
So is godliness for women so linked to Home that it is difficult to envisage a love of God and service of others (apart from those who live in the house) that excludes having people over?
ReplyDeleteinteresting to see how much being hospitable is mentioned as one of the criteria for male elders in the pastoral epistles.
ReplyDeleteOrdinarily speaking, godliness is expressed by all Christians (female and male) in relational hospitality.
ReplyDeleteIn the case of a chronically fatigued mother of five with home schooling responsibilities, having people over doesn't even come into the mind as a possibility to be rejected. It's not that she doesn't want them there, her brain just can't think about that many things.
Thankfully a grace-filled community of saints recognise that situation and support her in love.
Her husband is free to organise guests on both their behalfs, and prepare whatever hospitality is required to entertain them, whenever he wants. Sadly, he has his own issues.
Gary.
Absolutely - maybe, for whatever reason, no-one wants to come to the house.
ReplyDeleteWe've lived in several areas where we have invited people from our neighbourhood or church to meet us over afternoon tea / visit us at our home and no-one comes. I think this is a cultural thing; I don't think we stink.
Certainly a cultural thing. Japanese don't usually invite people over. One of the reasons is that their places are so tiny. However, they often express hospitality by hosting people to a meal at a restaurant or a picnic or an overnight trip to hot springs.
ReplyDeleteBut in our culture, I do think that that not inviting people over would be an exception to the rule. However, it is between God and the person, not something that we can judge from the outside.
I'd like to speak up on behalf of all the non-Christian agoraphobic husbands who would find it a stumbling block if strangers kept invading.
ReplyDeleteAs has been mentioned already, 'woman' in the statement could as easily be 'man' - I don't believe that it is any more incumbent on the female sex to be welcoming.
But I'll add, it's the wrong question. It sounds like a Pharisee would phrase it. (No offence!) Is 'It is quite possible that there could exist godly reasons for a believer to never host anyone in their house' any better?
On a different note - is it possible that the title of your next post is your subconscious trying to reach you with an answer, Simone?!