Introduction

Liberation movements with their attack on traditional, patriarchal society, have provoked a crisis in Western culture. This, in turn, has provoked a crisis in the church. How has the church responded?

First, there are those who are committed to “hold the line.” For them, the fundamentals of truth and God’s order are at stake in this issue. Roman Catholic doctrine teaches that the image of Christ, born by the clergy, demands a male priesthood and male government. Many traditional evangelicals teach that the hierarchical order in the Trinity demands hierarchical order in the church, including male dominance and female submission. In maintaining traditional gender roles, the church is maintaining the whole ontological order of reality, grounded in God himself. Surrender here and we will surrender elsewhere, moving from order to chaos.

Second, there are those who are committed to “redraw the line.” They argue that the Bible allows (or forces) us to reevaluate the traditional views of male headship, female leadership, roles, and authority in the church. For liberal Protestants it is mandatory to surrender male dominance. Only in this way will the church survive the cultural shift, and affirm the full value of woman in ministry. Oppression ends with equal access to ecclesiastical power. For contemporary evangelicals, the cultural changes force us to reexamine the biblical basis for male dominance. In doing this, biblical revelation is much less certain than traditionalists hold. Fresh exegesis opens us to the opportunity for fully embracing women in leadership on an egalitarian (or better, eschatological) model.

Back to Basics: Gender Identity and Roles in Creation

What can we learn from Genesis 1?

Genesis 1 teaches us that men and women are equal in the divine image. We are both created in the Image of God, male and female. As male or female, we share gender distinction. As male and female, we are made for heterosexual community. Moreover, God’s full image is displayed only in male and female together. To speak humanly: God himself has what we call both male and female characteristics and only displays them fully when we are in community with each other. No monastic life adequately represents God’s image in mankind. As a trinity, God also lives forever in community; our community represents the divine life. “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27)

Genesis 1 also teaches us that men and women are equal in the divine blessing. Contrary to certain Victorian notions, we are both blessed in our sexuality: “And God blessed them and said, ‘Be fruitful and multiply….’” We equally share in God’s purpose to extend the generations through procreation. Our creativity reflects the creativity of the Creator (Genesis 1:28).

Finally, Genesis 1 teaches us that men and women are equal in executing the divine rule. Together we are empowered to have dominion over the created order. “…fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” (Genesis 1:28) Just as an ancient ruler would put up an image of himself to represent his sovereignty over a region, so, made in the Image of God, we are a sign on this planet that this is God’s domain. We are vice-regents in his kingdom.

In sum, male and female together are equal in nature, blessing and dominion. Their subordination is only to God himself.