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Hildegard: A Woman We Should Aspire Towards // Abbie Hedden

 I've found myself in a recent struggle between God's command to submit and my own convictions on personal boundaries. What does God call me to submit? I must lay down my life for my brothers, love my neighbors, and somewhere in the future, submit to my husband as unto the Lord. That is a lot of submitting going on for a stubborn, selfish, prideful woman! I mainly ponder the idea of submitting to authorities and the government while reading about Hildegard. In our American society today, there is a lot of controversy regarding how much one should submit to the government. Rather than ramble about my own opinions on this matter, I think it's important to look at Hildegard as an example. Her first priority is obedience to God, then to authorities. No one becomes Prioress of an Abbey by disregarding rules; by entering the convent at age 7 and taking her vows at 16, Hildegard illustrates a clear devotion to the Church. However, she does two things that conflict with The Church's rules. She allows someone who is excommunicated to be buried at her convent (though her motives were not discussed), and she writes a letter explaining that she cannot follow The Church's disciplinary order to cease the singing of Divine Office. Her reasoning is that Scripture commands her and all Christians to worship the Lord in that way. The text says that "Church officials eventually relented". What does this teach us as modern day Christian Americans? We must follow authorities, as they are set in place by God, and follow God when authorities command us to disregard Him.


PS Isabelle and Emmett

Comments

  1. Caroline TuckerMarch 29, 2021 at 11:26 PM

    I find Hildegard’s strength to stand on her faith very inspiring. As Christians, we need to be constantly reminded that we need to stand strong on our faith, especially when the world is against us. Another thing we, as believers, need to remember is that if we are not having to stand up and on our faith, it is a time of preparation for that time.

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  2. Jackson RiddleMarch 29, 2021 at 11:39 PM

    I agree with your stance on how far we must follow authorities. The Bible tells us time and time again to submit to authority, emphasizing the importance of such behavior. We are to follow authority, but only if their motives are true. At the end of the day we serve God, not man, so if what authority commands goes against the will of God we are not to follow.

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