Ezer Meets Agnostic: A True Story

By Linda Bartlett

Ezer is the Hebrew word for "helper." God created woman to be a "helper." It is, shall we say, a woman's vocation. An ezer is in good company. In John 14:16, Jesus called the Holy Spirit "Helper." "Helper" or parakletos in Greek, means "comforter" or someone who appears on another's behalf; an advocate.) In this story, the ezer's name is Linda.

An agnostic is someone who believes we can neither prove nor disprove God. In this story, the agnostic is a man named Bill who has a PhD in biology. It is the self-defined agnostic who initiates dialogue with a Christian ezer.

Who introduced Ezer to Agnostic? A chivalrous boy named Joel Northrup. Ezer, privately and publicly, had been following the social experiment of girls wrestling boys for many years. When Joel took a stand on his faith and forfeited his state tournament match against a girl, he caught national attention. Ezer couldn't miss the opportunity to post a number of blogs commending young Joel and pointing out that "equal" does not mean "the same." It was in this way that Agnostic found Ezer.

What is the importance of this meeting? The conversational relationship between an ezer named Linda and an agnostic named Bill is, at this writing, only a month old. But, the depth of discussion already enjoyed is a crystal clear example of Romans 1:19-20. "For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For His invisible attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse." The discussion is also proof that God works in surprising ways using ordinary people (LFL kind of people). He provides all that is needed for those willing to persuade with Truth.

The topic of girls wrestling boys may not appear to be a "life issue." But, it is. Years ago, ezer Linda realized that abortion is, at its core, a fearful and selfish choice. A woman who chooses abortion often feels trapped and, failing to trust God, is unable to see beyond herself to her tiny neighbor. Abortion is a social experiment mentored by the philosophy of "my body, my choice" and "my rights before others." Abortion is not natural. It ignores God's call to "choose life, not death." It is not a woman acting well in her role of ezer. She is helping… but to bring death rather than life. Abortion kills a child, but it also wounds the mother and society as a whole.

Girls wrestling boys is also a fearful and selfish choice. A girl who chooses to wrestle boys may feel trapped by "unfair" boundaries of sexism and, failing to trust God, is unable to see beyond herself to her male neighbor. Girls wrestling boys is a social experiment mentored by the philosophy of "my body, my choice" and "my rights before others." But, nature itself does not support girls wrestling boys. This most physically intimate of all sports requires that two people grope and grapple until one overpowers the other. It disregards God's design of equal, but different sexes. It is not a woman acting well in her role of ezer. She is helping… but to encourage brutality rather than respect. Girls who wrestle boys abuse the relationship between male and female, wound both psychologically and spiritually and, consequentially, take society on a dangerous course.

God's Word speaks to the issues of fear, selfishness, and distorted male and female relationships. Interestingly enough, the perspective of Bill, an agnostic, parallels God's Word. He just doesn't know it… yet. So, here is the moral of this story. Ordinary, grassroots people are needed in a confused and hurting world to speak sane and sensible Truth. We are compelled by God's very Spirit to ask the questions that help people think. We must come out from under the rock of excuses. "I'm too old," or "I'm too young," or "I'm not smart enough," or "I'm too busy," or "I'm too intimidated" just won't cut it; not when other lives are at stake. It's time to think beyond ourselves to consider what we're passing on to our children and grandchildren. With confidence in the Word, gentle persuasion and care for others, we must first listen, then speak and act in ways that help others in Jesus' name and to His glory.

Ezer did not seek a conversation with an agnostic biologist. But, it happened. (This ezer prays she doesn't get in the way of what God may be doing.) Perhaps, in sharing a few comments from Bill, you will see why we need to press on in faith, not be paralyzed by doubt. Christians can help build bridges for life when we enter into respectful dialogue on moral and ethical issues. When we appeal to what was once called "common" sense. When we put aside our agenda and let the Spirit open - or close - doors.

A chivalrous boy, an agnostic biologist, and an ezerwoman. What an unlikely trio! But, in the words of Bill, the agnostic, "there's that persistent God again!"

(This article was first published in LifeDate, Summer 2011, Lutherans for Life)