June 27, 2008
Index: Visionary Daughters Thread 1 and 2 NOW LIVE. (Joy)
Posted by millenniumwoman under index, patriocentricity[11] Comments
One of the frequent accusations hurled against True Womanhood goes something like this: “what in the world could be so important that you have talked about it for thousands of comments and multiple threads? Don’t you all have something better to do with your time?” or conversely: “this blog is nothing but a bunch of angry, bitter women gossiping about some sweet ladies.”
The answer to the first question is, quite simply, we are talking in such depth about the thorny problem of patriocentricity (a term first coined here by thatmom, Karen Campbell). It has been hotly debated here as to whether or not patriocentricity is heretical. I leave that for the readers to decide. The indexes are a best effort to provide a road map to this extensive discussion, along with an (as accurate as possible) MLA cited extant article list of all the articles, blogs, books, videos, and sound recordings that were discussed in each thread. That listing is an education in and of itself, seperate from the actual discussion.
The answer to the second question depends on your viewpoint. I would argue strongly that holding teachers accountable for their words, theology, and teaching is not gossip. Many of the things discussed are works of literature and film, and as such, they will be open to literary and/or scholarly criticism long before their theology is even considered.
This is a work of love for me. I have come to know, admire, and love many of the frequent commenters and contributors here on TW. The women here, first and foremost, desire to seek hard after God, and Truth (Phillippians 3:8). I have them to thank for driving me deep into the marrow of God’s holy and inspired word. I said in thread 2:
Speaking of which, I have you ladies to thank for getting me deeper in the Word than I have ever been before…and as my husband was teasing me…it’s addictive
.I keep finding something else that is fascinating me that I find myself quite sad when I have to leave my devotional time. I never thought that would happen! Now I get what a Sunday School teacher used to say: ” It’s like a love letter…and don’t you want to sit there and read your lover’s letter over and over again…” For someone who has spent such a long time in the “Christian” community but with really shallow roots, this has been an amazing time for me. So thank you, dear ones, for sharpening my faith and inspiring me to go deeper with God.
I hope that each visitor to True Womanhood, if nothing else, walks away seeking God, and what HE says, through His Word, and not what any man or woman says God has said.
The index is explained in more depth within the PDF files- the arrangement is not alphabetical, and it is not comprehensively cross indexed. It is meant to be a road map and is arranged in order of the topics as they occured within the discussion. The errors within the index are all mine. I would appreciate emails with corrections (to spelling or numbers) not topics. I realize I am writing with a bias, as I have participated in the discussions since the beginning; some of my topic groupings foreshadow later discussions. I find it interesting that many of the blog posts from patriarchal sources that have caused controversies have since been removed. Those that have preserved screen shots- please email us at milleniumwoman@gmail.com. Please check back to this thread as more indexes will be added as they become available.
It is True Womanhood’s express position that all view points are welcome. As the purpose of the blog is to discuss what a thinking Christian woman looks like in the 21st Century, we realize that the discussion will only profit if many women from many walks of life can discuss the topics at hand in a place that will not be censored. We have however, blocked posts when they are not related to the topic at hand; when they have devolved into personal attacks; or when malice is clearly sought by the commenter. We have not deleted posts by commenters who have disagreed with the main view point held by the majority. You can read through the many threads where there has been honest, respectful discussion on differing viewpoints. We at True Womanhood endeavor to operate in an atmosphere of grace, understanding, and mercy. Sometimes we get angry, sometimes we are misunderstood, but we never, ever intentionally wish malice or harm to any man or woman that may come our way in the blogosphere. We politely agree to disagree sometimes- and that is possible. As “iron sharpens iron” we seek to be Bereans, and search out the teachings of earthly fallible teachers against the plumb line of the whole and infallible Word of God.
There are many of the faith present here on True Womanhood, from diverse backgrounds such as Roman Catholic, Reformed, Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican - the list goes on and on, and changes by the day. It is to this end that we request commenters to be mindful and respectful of the diversity at hand, and seek not to tear down our brothers and sisters.
