The Law Was Not Abolished

The Husband as Prophet, Priest, and King

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Wilson astutely observes that husbands are to blame for the theo logical breakdown in the church today. “The evangelical world,” he writes, “is throwing away its theological heritage because of doctrinal faithlessness in Christian homes. It is true that pulpits across our country are filled with a swamp and morass of anecdotes, sentimen talist yawp, yippy-skippy worship, and make-it-up-as-you-go-along theology; but the heads of Christian homes have been willing to have it so. As the expectations for men in the evangelical world have gotten lower, men have not objected—they have breathed a sigh of relief.” 6 In his Institutes, John Calvin referred to a prophet as a supplier of useful doctrine. In addition to hearing from God, a husband should fill that role in his home. He faithfully proclaims the truth of God. On long drives, late at night, when the kids are sleeping in the back, Mary Ann and I have found ourselves reviewing things we’ve learned together in church, or rehearsing concepts we’ve picked up from reading or from listening to tapes. “What is the Latin phrase that means ‘at once sinful and jus tified?’” I’ll ask. “I’m too tired to play this,” she’ll say. “I’m too tired not to play!” I’ll coax her. “Help me stay awake.” We’ll mentally review books of the Bible, or we’ll toss out a verse and see if the other one knows where it is found. We may listen to a teaching tape and discuss what we’ve heard. As the drive wears on, the game will usually deteriorate to the point where I’m asking questions like, “Name three hits by Herman’s Hermits.” For many Christian men, the idea of some formal time of Bible study or instruction with our wives is in our “top ten” list of threaten ing activities. We feel inadequate and unsure of ourselves. We’re not sure how to do it or what to say when we’re finished. We’re not eloquent like the pastor. We’re afraid we’ll be exposed for what we don’t know, or for the shallowness of our own spirituality, or that we’ll be convicted of hypocrisy by a wife who knows too well that we don’t always practice what we’re preaching. So many of us have abandoned any attempt to lead our wives in any kind of informal study of the Scriptures. We may make a stab at some kind of family devotions once the children are old