Please note that I referred to "obedience" without regard to either element in the relationship—either the one who is submissive and taking direction, or the person who is providing it.  As a concept, "obedience" is overrated.  We get no credit simply for following rules, especially not in Protestant America.  We are not obedient to the Pope, for example, nor should we be to others to whom we do not give authority.  The root of the English word digs into giving ear and attention to the requirements of others; I choose not to do that in regard to everyone, only to those to whom I choose to give authority (Protestants, for example, do not believe in inherent authority but in attributed authority).  Those who want to take credit for following directions, as though that choice creates a valuable condition of goodness are really focusing on their own notions of who they are and are, ironically, self-centered.  I opened a thought process about the word, not about Christian theology. [—cont'd