Recently I had a conversation with a friend about questions of leadership in the church.  It was a great conversation.  We were both really exploring together some key ideas about our faith and how they worked out in the organizations we participate in.  And in the midst of our conversation, I expressed my sincere concern for the loss of women's voice in the church conversation.  I just didn't understand why men had such an issue with women at the leadership table.  I get Paul's directive, but I think it's entirely contextual, given Paul's other directive that "all things are lawful."

<strong>My friend said, "You know Eve was deceived don't you?"</strong>

The obviousness of his statement required a yes.  I've heard that very statement used as a foundation for an entire argument against women in leadership conversations.  Women are the weaker sex because Eve was deceived. And because of this foundational moment, women just can't be trusted to sit at the table of important decisions.

But something popped into my head at that moment that required a second response.  "But wait," I said.  "Adam was deceived too!"  My friend stopped dead cold and didn't say a word for about six seconds.  He popped his chin back as if subtly being hit with a two by four.  The idea had never hit him.

"Oh yeah," he responded.

My initial knee jerk response was that Adam was following a long because he wanted to sacrifice himself for Eve. If he didn't, he would be separated from her.  Or, Adam didn't know what he was doing.  Or, Eve was responsible because she engaged the question.  My mind searched

Adam didn't even think about taking a bite. The story paints no thought process what so ever in his decision.  He just followed blindly a long.

As my friend and I continued talking, I was left with a new conversation to ponder. <strong>Why do we blame Eve for being deceived when Adam was too?</strong>

What do you think?