An excerpt from "Sayings of a Gadfly"
by Max Maxwell
All Rights Reserved.
INTRODUCTION TO KYRIOS DIALOGUE
Page 1
The Kyrios Dialogue has three characters. John and Paul are
two conservative Christian men who believe the bible teaches that men have total
God-given authority over their wives. Although John believes in the male
authority doctrine of his church, he has a softer embrace of a husband's
authority over his wife. Paul, who is naturally inclined to enjoy being in
control, really loves this doctrine and embraces it with more zeal. The Gadfly
character is the Socratic questioner. This Socratic dialogue will focus on
seeking a definition of the authority that John and Paul believe they have over
their wives.
Paul: The preacher’s sermon was excellent today. It was an
inspiring message right out of the word of God.
Gadfly: A message from God? What was the message?
Paul: He talked about an issue that is very important to the
health of families. The sermon was about the proper role of men in the home. The
preacher said that husbands have a God given authority over their families and
that wives should be submissive to their husband’s authority. He encouraged
husbands to start exercising this authority over their wives. In this way God’s
divine order and purpose for the family can be fulfilled.
Gadfly: Having order and purpose in life is a fine thing.
John: I don’t think my wife liked the sermon very much. I do not
believe she will let me exercise my authority, even if it is from God.
Paul: A lot of families are like this and it is a cause of great
spiritual harm. In my home, I am in charge. I can testify that when a man
exercises his God given authority, things are much better in the home. The Bible
tells us, as Christ is over man, so man is over woman. John, you should just
start walking in that spirit. God wants you to be the head of your family, it is
His will. He will guide you and be with you. Just take the first steps of faith
and be obedient to Him.
John: I understand and believe. It’s just hard to convince my
wife. I do believe that a husband’s headship is vital not only to the health and
well being of families, but to the whole nation. What you said, Paul, is true.
The Bible does teach that the head of man is Christ and the head of woman is
man. A husband has a God-given role of leadership over his wife. It is the
husband who is the head of the home. The wife has a role of submission to the
husband's authority.
Gadfly: Are you going to try to implement this principle in your
family’s life?
John: If I am going to be obedient to God, I should try.
Gadfly: If this really is an important truth we should embrace it.
But I do not know what this authority is, or how it is to be employed.
John: It is a very clear Biblical teaching.
Gadfly: Then I'm lucky today. Before you, I have never talked to
anyone who could explain the nature of a man’s authority over his wife. May I
ask a few questions? I would like to understand it. And you seem to be the
person to teach it to me.
John: Of course, go ahead.
Gadfly: You believe that men should express leadership over their
wives. Correct?
John: Yes.
Gadfly: And this leadership carries some kind of authority?
John: Absolutely. The Bible says that wives should submit to their
husbands. This most clearly shows that men have authority; and God gives this
authority. It has also been the view of the Christian church for millennia.
Gadfly: For the moment I will be content just to know your view.
In regard to authority, is it not true that all authority carries the power to
make decisions? For example, a ship's captain has authority. But if the first
mate had the final say in all decisions pertaining to the ship, what would
become of the captain's authority?
Page 1
Sayings of a Gadfly, © Copyright 2006 Kenneth J. Maxwell Jr.