At the conclusion of the last class, I made the comment that the creation narrative is the basis for our understanding of the issue of women's roles. I thought it might be good to give a bit more detail about that idea. When we boil down the issue of men's and women's roles in ministry to its core, we are actually discussing the purposes for which men and women are created. Whether we are discussing the marriage relationship or the exercising of spiritual gifts in the church, the divine purpose for "male and female" is what will determine how each should live out that purpose to God's glory. The interpretation of the texts we will explore from now on rely upon a basic viewpoint the reader holds of Genesis 1-3. We will discuss the way egalitarians and complementarians view the creation and fall of men and women this coming Wednesday, but here are some questions and thoughts as to why I believe the creation narrative is so foundational.
1. Is the order of creation significant? According to the "micro-view" presented in chapter 2, Adam was created first. In the Old Testament, the "firstborn" was the recipient of the father's blessing. The firstborn carried the birthright, receiving a double portion of the inheritance and was responsible for the leadership of the family. If Adam's priority in creation is significant, then the principle of male leadership is established at creation and is not just a result of the fall.
2. Adam was created by God out of the earth that He had created. Eve was formed "from the rib he had taken out of the man (2:22)." Does that imply a subordinate role for the woman? The idea of the man being the "source" of the woman is a major argument of the egalitarian viewpoint, which is countered by the complementarian concept of "headship."
3. What is the significance of the woman being created as a "helper suitable for [the man] (2:18)." Does that role imply subordination to the leadership of the man, or does it simply indicate that she is a "partner" with him? The word "ezer (helper)," does not in itself imply a subordinate role, since God is sometimes refered to as man's "Helper," and that certainly doesn't indicate God's subordination to people.
All of the above points are used in the New Testament by Paul when he speaks to the churches at Corinth and Ephesus about the woman's "silence." We will discuss those texts in detail in the coming weeks. For now, I think we can see how an understanding of the first three chapters of Genesis is so crucial to our study of the roles of women and men in the home and church.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
First born was mankind, Eve was from Adam (not a new creation) Possibly, like most of us, the male needed to be taught that he needed to look to God for his needs. When he longed for a suitable mate,God formed the female from him, for him. She was part of the original creation and was formed at the appointed time.There is obviously a significance to the order, I'm not sure, as humans, we have correctly understood the partnership and authority issues. It's easy to use this as a way to control and surpress,aka. think Pharasee. When I read the rest of the N.T. teachings,it's just the opposite. First shall be last, Leaders should be servants, Christ died for His bride, ect... These types of concepts make me question our simple use of a few verses. The verses that were written to specific churches who had specific problems. I do think there is a "chain of command"" if you will, but not set up for all women to all men. That's probably for another lesson, so I'll stop now.
ReplyDeleteAdam, mankind, received God’s command to not eat of the one tree while still in the original created form. There is no evidence that the command was restated after the original created form was divided into two complimentary parts. Yet, God held both parts accountable for their decisions and actions. Obviously God considered them to still be one flesh, because their eyes were not opened (neither of them) until after Adam also ate. If God considered them separate, two children, firstborn and second born, Eve’s eyes would have opened after she ate. It is important that their eyes did not open until after both made individual internal decisions to ignore God’s command and listen to their own desire. Paul said Adam was the firstborn of creation and Jesus was firstborn OVER all creation. So, was the firstborn of creation the original, complete mankind (both male and female); or, was it just the male portion that remained after Eve was established?
ReplyDeleteBefore the fall, male and female were created in the image and likeness of The Lord God. Tell me where, throughout all scripture, that any one of the three persons of God ever discussed who was first or best or in charge? When, at any point, did one protect their rights, position, or authority or complain that the others were “usurping” their authority? When Jesus was in the flesh, he prayed to God, obeyed God and consulted God (Father and Holy Spirit) continually, but there are no scriptures that indicate they have a hierarchy. This idea of pre-eminence, power, authority, and all forms of self-elevation and respecter of persons is strictly a product of the fleshly man, the dust of the earth portion. Never, ever would the breath of life or the Holy Spirit lead the spiritual being to think, feel or act on such. There are many scriptures, however, that denounce all of these things.
The spirit is the exact opposite of the flesh. In the spirit, the prized attribute with our God is humility, meekness, submission and love – all based on total trust in our Lord alone. It is the flesh that demands walls, barriers and distinction. Paul said in Gal. 3:26-29: “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
After mankind were expelled from the Garden, it took hundreds of years before they began to call on the name of the Lord. It was a long time after that before the man was chosen from whom would come the seed that would wound Satan’s head and take the sins of mankind on His own life, thereby satisfying the curse for those who would follow Him. Again, it was several hundreds of years later before the nation was formed that would receive a written law and have the opportunity to really know The Lord God.
Israel was called the firstborn of God. Ex 4:22-23: “Then say to Pharaoh, ‘This is what the Lord says: Israel is my firstborn son, and I told you, ‘Let my son go, so he may worship me.’ But you refused to let him go; so I will kill your firstborn son.’” However, the right of the firstborn was never understood and certainly Israel did not understand. The firstborn son was expected to serve the father all of his life. He was expected to help his siblings, care for his parents, and generally assume great responsibility. Just look at the number of times that the right of the firstborn was taken away because the heart of the individual did not meet the requirements and responsibility: Esau was replaced with Jacob; Reuben was replaced by Judah in the bloodline of Jesus and by the sons of Joseph in the allotting of the promised land; Solomon was not the firstborn of David; and, greatest of all, Israel lost the right of the firstborn to the new nation brought forth by the Lord God, the Kingdom of God established by Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit. Israel made the mistake of thinking it was all about them – they were special, they were chosen, they were better than all other nations. But, the message was that the purpose and plan of God was special (bringing the seed of Abraham to life, showing all the world His love and power through Israel, bringing all nations to Him). The bottom line is that by being chosen, Israel had a greater responsibility and accountability than all other nations – not that they were better than other nations. They could not receive the spiritual blessings because they kept their hearts and minds on the physical. Paul said the Law was given as our school master to bring us to Christ. By understanding their misconceptions, it should help us with ours.
All true followers of Jesus Christ are told to submit to all other true followers of Jesus Christ. There is absolutely no scripture that gives all males authority over all females, including in the church. All authority belongs to The Lord God. The apostles were the only human beings who have received the full power and authority of God just as Jesus had. But, there is never a single mention of a time when they used that power and authority for their own benefit or for the benefit of each other. They could raise the dead but each one of them died a horrible death except for John. They were beaten, imprisoned, discredited, and every other unspeakable act – but they never used their position, power or authority to benefit themselves. The gifts and powers they had, the position they occupied, were entirely to glorify Jesus Christ, their Lord and Savior.
There are certain positions that are given portions of authority but it is to do the will of God, it is not to elevate the person or to give special privilege to one over another. Remember, it is always about responsibility and accountability first. The privilege or reward is only after the work is complete; and, the reward is given by the owner. Our work is never complete while on this earth. We remain under responsibility and accountability until the day we die. Our privilege and reward comes from The Lord God when the work is done, and we attain the promised rest. Whatever authority or influence we have, the position we occupy, the gifts we have, are all to glorify Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. They are not to be used to elevate one person over another.
I think God's creation is still continuing today. The whole process of creation did not stop with the first chapters of Genesis. God gave his creation the ability to continue creating more. So in that sense, we are participants of His creation, much to our amazement.
ReplyDeleteWhen you look at how a baby is formed/created, the circulatory system is one of the last systems to be completed, or put in service. Does that mean, in the notion of creation order implication, that the circulatory system is of lesser important?
In fact, what we see and proven by our cumulative knowledge in science is that all body systems work TOGETHER. And aren't they the "ezer" of others? the complement of each others? I Cor. 12:12-31
All this is to say that the creative order does not necessarily "endow" one to be powered above the other, but rather they were created with the vision of working together as ONE.
When a marriage or a church or a family fails to operate as one, we call that dysfunctional, which exists in every organized unit to some degree (otherwise, we'd be perfect and there would be no need for large portion of the New Testament). So when we have a situation where one part tries to "lord" over another in some powerplays, then that is a symptom of a much deeper issue (perhaps full surrender to Christ has not occurred, etc.)