From Genesis to Junia: A Friendly Review. Part 2

Here is the second part of Jon Marshall's review of Preston Sprinkle's 'From Genesis to Junia'. In Ephesians 5-6, Paul uses the “household code” framework to show how the Gospel (past and future) reorients Christian households. Since the NT church is often an extension of a household, this biblical chapter provides a seminal framework for the organization of a church. Ch. 7 1. Preston’s chapter includes lots of insights about the ancient world. He makes the text come alive in fresh ways. 2. He shows the grossness of much “leadership” and “authority” in the ancient world, contrasting this beautifully with the new way in Christ. 3. It is surprising, for example, to learn that they rarely use the language of “submission.” Rather, they tell wives to “obey” or assume that the husband can enforce obedience without addressing the wife at all. 4. Paul, by contrast, speaks directly to wives, encourages their submission, and describes husbands in language reminiscent of servants (e.g., washing…