Congratulations go out to Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann for winning the Iowa straw poll over the weekend, and moving into the top three candidates for president of the United States. But I have a bone to pick with the congresswoman from Minnesota over her explanation of what it means for a woman to submit to her husband. Mrs. Bachmann was asked during the GOP debates about a statement she had made about submitting to her husband.
I am disappointed that her answer was, that to submit was equal to having respect. It is not unusual for 
Christians to flee this topic as it is unpopular to espouse biblical values on the roles of men and women. It is important to respect your spouse, but that is not the same thing as to submit to your spouse. The scripture is often misapplied by men that want to control their wives and have an absolute voice and the final word. But if we examine the bible more closely, we find something very different at work.
The bible in Ephesians 5 is clear that we are to submit to one another and that husbands are called an even greater submission by loving their wives as Christ loved the church. Followers of Jesus Christ are to put themselves last and the needs of others first.This is a consistent teaching of Jesus and scripture that the first shall be last and the last shall be first. Bringing ourselves under the submission of authority of various types is the walk of a Christian.
While wives should biblically submit to their husbands, husbands are to be self sacrificing in their love for their wives. The biblical way is always superior. I agree with many of the things that Michelle Bachmann says that she believes, but I do think that she missed a great opportunity to speak to the nature of the American presidency. George Washington set the standard for what it means to lead by serving. When a president will humble himself or herself and listen, not seeking their own best interest, but the interest of the country. That president, the one willing to submit when it right to do so, will be the best we have ever had serve.