Marriage and the Headship Theology
One of the biggest problems with the new headship theology in the Seventh-day Adventist church is wrapped up in what marriage means. In researching my latest novel in progress, I have studied marriage as it relates to heaven. I have been interested in this subject for over a decade. As I thoughtfully consider it, I realize that the face of marriage will be much different in the next life—as in flip-flopped, stood on its head. We are headed toward corporate marriage to Christ, where Christ is the head—the husband to both men and women, and no one will stand between.
Swallowed Up
This doesn’t mean marriage and sexuality are abolished. It means that they are drawn up (swallowed up) into something bigger. What was private will become public. Unlike our experience here, we will share things intimately in the same way as the different parts of our body do. We will see the realization of what marriage has always symbolized: a fellowship of all believers, where we are all the bride, focusing on the bridegroom and celebrating each other’s insights and gifts.
No Hierarchy In Christ’s Bride
Although this leaves room for differentiation in individuality, sexuality, and talent, it leaves little room for hierarchy. Does a toe rank lower than an eye? Does a liver have preeminence over an anus? St. Paul says that’s not the way the body works… As I consider these things, it becomes clear to me that, in light of where God is leading us, we should take Galations 3 more seriously, and certainly the words of Jesus in Mark 10:42. The realities of heaven are only dimly perceived on earth. We have a hard time seeing what we shall be (Hebrews 11), but it is clear to me from the statements of Saint Paul and Ellen White that both men and women, though being different parts of the same body, are destined for a deeper experiential revelation of what it means to occupy the same exalted position: the bride of Christ.
Equal Parts of the Same Body
It seems to me that inspiration lucidly points to men and women jointly occupying a priestly and ministerial role in Christ’s body (Revelation 5:9-10). Clearly stated, God is moving us from the Old Testament male priest system to a priesthood of all believers. As we can see throughout the world, men cling desperately to a domination of women. On some level we all know that this is wrong. It is time to follow marriage to its biblical conclusion and accept each other unconditionally as equal parts of the same body.
