During Sister Wright and Brother Daines’ talk I wrote “these are very ‘feminine’ themes.” Comfort, relief, acceptance, etc.
At one time I believed that churches including occasionally ours were too feminine in their approach and focus, driving men away. So ‘feminine’ themes gave me allergies. Now, whatever the truth of that particular sociological observation, I have realized that femininity is one of the foundational truths of the world. There should be a complete and moving ‘feminine’ version of the gospel that will appeal to women but also to men, because it is tapping something deep and godly. There should likewise be a complete and moving ‘masculine’ version of the gospel about duty and honor and glory and triumph that will appeal to men, but also to women. And approaches that are both, and approaches that cut orthogonally. The eternities cannot be fully contained in one mortal package.
The problem, if there is a problem, is not too much feminized gospel. It is too little masculinized gospel.
(“To serve in this Church is to stand in the river of God’s love for his children” – wow)