God Created Two Genders—Male and Female
Genesis 1:26-28, And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. 28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
This article is
concerned with the matter of two genders as the subtitle states, and to visit
some of the difficult issues that fuel the battles between the sexes. Yes, I am
very aware of highly educated folks claiming there are 63 genders. Some also insist
there are about five sexes suggesting a distinction between gender and sex. Truly
the disagreement and confusion among those who spout such ideas is more than a mathematician
can calculate! I promise not to waste valuable time rehearsing these baseless
and truly unscientific notions here. There are enough PhDs out there trying to
make a name for themselves exploring something new…different or…full on weird. Biblically
speaking, humanity is male and female as the Creator intended and nothing
explains this patiently obvious reality better than the Word of God. The Lord
Jesus states this at least four thousand years after creation, “And he answered
and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning
made them male and female” (Matt.
19:4). With this in mind, let us explore this concrete idea that God created
two genders—male and female. Then we will look honestly at some precepts of
peace in marriage that could end the wars.
Clearly the
Genesis chapter 1 passage gives attention to the origin and roles of the sexes.
It explores two questions, “Why did God create two sexes? And the second
question is, “Can men and women be equal and yet have different roles?” The
fact that God created humanity male and female is self-evident and clearly
stated in Genesis 1:27. There is zero notion of an evolutionary process as this
is presented as a direct and deliberate origination of humanity. It is also
mentioned in Genesis 5:1-2 where Moses asserts that male and female bear the
image of God. Male and female shows God’s image in (1) harmonious interpersonal
relationship, (2) equality in personhood and importance, and (3) difference in
role and authority (Grudem, 1994, p. 454). Four major sub-divisions of the
subject of male and female may be addressed here: (A) personal relationships,
(B) Equality in personhood and importance, (C) Differences in roles, and (D)
the application to marriage. It is beneficial to look at each of these
separately.
The personal
relationships between male and female tells us that God did not create humanity
to live in isolation, but in relationship (Gen. 2:24). Because people bear the
image of God, they can enjoy interpersonal unity in different relationships and
society. In fact the interpersonal relationships of human beings mirror the
fellowship that exists within the company of the Trinity. Healthy human relationships can show the
unity, harmony, and fellowship that exist in the Trinity. This reflects the
plurality of Persons as in the Trinity also (Jn. 17:5, 24). So marriage to some
degree is designed to illustrate the enduring and harmonious relation in the
Trinity (Mal. 2:14-16; Rom. 7:2). This is just one way the Trinity can be
reflected in human life.
God’s design of
equality in personhood and importance should also be pointed out. Just as the
Persons of the Trinity are equal in their full existence and distinct Persons,
so it is with men and women. They both are equal in personhood and importance.
Male and female are created equally in God’s image and both reflect the character
of God (Gen. 1:27; 5:1, 2). The Bible repeatedly emphasis this equality in
personhood and importance regarding both sexes (Proverbs 31; Acts 2:17-18).
Both are worthy of honor and respect and each individual should be thankful to
God for what he made them. In New Testament times, the Lord Jesus was an
outstanding advocate of this equality as evidenced in his teachings, illustrations,
ministry, and actions toward women. Both are valuable and gifted members of
Christ’s body (1Cor. 12:7, 11). Paul in Galatians 3:27, 28 clearly articulates
this reality of equality in the church.
Equality,
however, does not eliminate the differences in roles laid down in the Scriptures.
In the Trinity, the Father has the greatest authority in spite of the fact that
He shares equal personality with the Son and the Holy Spirit. Clearly there are different and
non-interchangeable roles within the Godhead. In marriage there must be recognition
of authority and submission. Men are granted headship and the responsibility to
lead and wives are responsible to submit and follow (1Cor. 11:3). Also in this connection, there is biblical
evidence for the existence of this distinction even before the fall of man. It
is not a consequence of the fall, but it is hampered by the fall (Gen. 3:16).
This can be substantiated by several observations. First, Adam was created
before Eve (Gen. 2:7, 18-23). Secondly, Eve was created as Adam’s help meet or
helper and not the other way around (Gen. 2:18). Thirdly, Adam named Eve thus signifying
authority over her. Fourthly, God named the human race “Man” and not “woman.”
Then fifthly, the serpent came to Eve first to undermine the marriage (Gen. 3).
Sixth of all, God addressed Adam first after the fall and not Eve (Gen.
2:15-17). The seventh observation shows that Adam represented the human race
and not Eve (Gen. 3:6; 1Cor. 15:22, 49). Eighthly, the curse because of the
entrance of sin brought about a distortion of roles and not the introduction of
new roles (Gen. 3:16, 18, 19). The woman would desire to rule her husband and
the husband would rule over his wife with harshness and insensitivity. This is
the consequence of sin. Then lastly, redemption in the Lord Jesus Christ
reaffirmed the order of creation (Col. 3:18, 19; Eph. 5:22-33; Titus 2:5;
1Peter 3:1-7).
There are
several noteworthy implications for the roles of men and women contained in the
phrase “help meet for him” (Gen. 2:18). The first is the stated fact that it is
not good for man to be alone (Gen. 2:18) and after God created Eve and brought
her to Adam, God viewed this as very good (Gen. 1:31). The implication is that man is a social
creature designed so by God. In light of
this the term help meet means a helper “fit” or “suitable” or even “face to
face” to him. Some define it as
‘corresponding to’ the man. Thus Eve is not merely a helpmate, but a companion
who would fulfill the social needs of Adam.
In this
connection, it should be recognized that Ephesians 5:21-33 do not teach a
universal mutual submission among Christians as some have concluded. No, Ephesian
5:21 teach us to be submissive to others in the church who are in positions of
authority over us. The context and the following verses (Eph. 5:22-6:9) show
this to be the correct understanding of the verse. Spirit-filled wives will be
submissive to their own husbands, and Spirit-filled children will be submissive
to their parents, and Spirit-filled servants will be submissive to their own
masters. This order is never reversed, nor diluted by a false idea of mutual
submission.
How should we
refute the cultural argument against the interpretation of roles in Ephesians 5
and 6? The cultural argument against sound interpretation of the roles
prescribed in Ephesians 5 and 6 can be refuted in several ways. First Paul’s instructions in this passage
clearly are enduring; there is no statement or even hint of them becoming
obsolete during this present age in God’s economy. Some may argue that just as slavery has been
abolished, so God’s order has changed for women in today’s culture. They purport that wives in the first century
were to submit to their husbands just as slaves in Paul’s day submitted to
their masters: out of love for God and their freedom in Christ. When slavery ended so did the requirement of
submission in the wife’s role. But, again there is no such statement in any of
the principle texts dealing with marriage that teach God’s order for marriage
would not endure. The command to submit to one’s husband is enduring.
Secondly,
marriage is a divine institution started and ordered by God directly and
throughout revelation he addresses it to influence its course. Slavery is not
an institution ordained by God, but rather God sought to regulate it to ensure
justice, fairness, and Christian propriety. Slavery is a human invention, but
God sought to manage, police and control it to eliminate abuses. Accordingly, it is the institution of slavery
that has been abolished. Is the cultural interpretation advocating abolishing
the institution of marriage? Perhaps not by intent, but arguably they indeed
are in effect. The elimination of marriage would be the equivalent to the
abolishment of slavery, not merely deleting the role of wives’ submission to their
husbands.
Thirdly, the
wife is to submit to her husband as unto the Lord and just as the church is subject
to Christ (Eph. 5:22-24). These verses present a correlation and parallel to
demonstrate the wife’s role to her husband—the church’s submission to the
glorious Christ her Head. The analogy will not tolerate manipulation or role
reversals. Is Christ still the head of His church? The obvious answer is yes.
To reverse the role of the wife to head would also advocate the church assuming
the leadership over Christ. No Christian person is prepared to embrace or
advocate such a ridiculous proposition. To advocate a change in principle
marital roles is equally absurd.
There will
always be cultural influences that invade Christian thinking and disrupt godly
values. However we must not bow to
popular ideas to accommodate the culture nor to placate our own desire to avert
controversy. The command to submit is enduring, the institution of marriage is
divine not human, and the irreversible nature of Christ’s headship over the
church advocates a patriarchal society.
So how should
the husband exercise his headship in the home? The manner in which a husband
fulfills his role of headship in the home must be understood. He is to love his wife as “Christ love the
church” (Eph. 5:25) and “love his wife as his own body” (Eph. 5:28). He must show the same selfish concern for her
welfare that he exhibits toward his own person and is to “nourish and cherish”
her just as his physical body. On the
other hand he is to have the same self-sacrificing love for his mate that
Christ has for His bride, the church. When a husband is right with God and
loves his wife biblically, he treats her in such a kind, considerate, and
thoughtful manner that she finds it easy to respect and submit to him as “unto
the Lord.” The husband’s primary goal is to emulate the love Christ
demonstrates for His bride, the church.
This kind of loving is not just emotional, but an orientation, a chain
of choices, a series of actions designed to bring about the wife’s well-being,
happiness, and ultimate wholeness.
In addition,
husbands are not to be cruel and harsh with their wives, but to love them as
Christ loves the church. This certainly makes it easier for a wife to live in
submission to her husband. Men are not to be tyrannical or passive. Both
extremes drive wives to great frustration! Wives are not to usurp authority
over their husbands. This will only buy her resentment and weariness! Wives are
not to be totally passive either. Husbands should focus on loving, considerate,
and thoughtful leadership in their homes for the glory of Christ. Wives should
focus on active, intelligent and joyful submission to their own husbands as
unto the Lord Jesus Himself.
Consider
another related question…. Why is it important to have a balance in the number
of roles played by a husband and wife? Honestly, it is important to have a
balance in the number of roles a couple assumes as individuals. The
multiplication of roles for both husband and wife will have an adverse impact on
the marriage and the family. A husband may be father and bread winner along
with a ministry in the church, or a second job or even a volunteer position in
the community. A wife may not only be a
mother, and homemaker, but also serve in the church, or even in a PTA or other
community functions. The truth is we can handle many different roles
successfully, but problems arise when we devote too much time to one role to
the gross neglect of others. There is also the possibility of becoming spread
too thin; performing many roles but none very well. Every husband and wife must understand their
limitations regarding time, energy, strength and emotional endurance. Though
there are many worthy causes, we must develop the ability to say no to many of
them. This will allow us to manage fewer roles in a far more meaningful manner,
and insure children and spouses receive a healthy amount of interaction. Again God
created the sexes to complement each other and to mirror the relationship in
the Trinity as the couple shows the image of God in them.
Is it true that
“Conflict is inevitable in marriage?” Yes, I can honestly say that conflict is
inevitable in marriage. This is true with most couples; confrontations will
occur. There may be disagreement on a
certain subject that creates tension, quarrels, and even hostility. Such
confrontations may serve a useful purpose in that they force the couple to deal
with issues and face problems they otherwise avoid. Since conflict is
inevitable, couples must learn how to work through them and develop their
communication skills. Strong families have the ability or communication skills
to resolve their differences. They are able to talk about them, to share their
feelings openly, and come to a resolution of the problem.
Well…what methods
may a couples use to solve conflict situations? Several methods could be
employed by a couple in conflict resolution…many are quite obvious. Having
certain guidelines for arguing may prove to be very helpful if the couple has
the discipline to stick to them in the heat of battle. The first step is to get
to the base of the issue or source of the problem. Then once the fundamental
issue has been understood, then the couple must explore the motive. Is it an
ego problem? Or is this evidence of an inferiority complex? Maybe it’s an
attempt to strike back or seize control through some form of manipulation. Once
the problem has been discovered and discussed, the couple can now explore
viable solutions to permanently settle the issue. In additions once the problem is solved it is
not to be brought up again in future quarrels.
There are other
helpful approaches couples could use with some success and hope. For example they should avoid attacking the
others personality. Being familiar with their strengths and weaknesses means we
possess an arsenal of ammunitions to damage our mate. Do not succumb to this
temptation! Another tactic is to realize that some times are more appropriate
for discussing problems than others. One
should never air differences when others are present, when one is tired, or
when hungry. These will only escalate the problem when better timing would have
been an aid in resolution. Some families
tackle problems as they come up and others have a set family conference time to
deal with such conflicts. One of the most important things a couple must learn
is how to compromise when this is a viable option. Sometimes a couple must simply agree to
disagree, but genuinely respect the other’s point of view. Differences can also be resolved by
assimilation—accepting the view of the other.
Always bear in mind that many problems can be solve through careful
analysis. Conflicts will occur, this we
can be sure of. In light of this each
couple must develop skills and procedures to overcome disagreements and conflicts. Instead of these becoming destructive, they
can be used as constructive vehicles of growth and enrichment.
As noted
earlier, God created two distinct genders, male and female are created equally
in God’s image and yes, both sexes reflect the character of God as individuals
and in relationship (Gen. 1:27; 5:1, 2). Clearly, the verses we have
highlighted here repeatedly emphasis this equality in personhood and importance
regarding both sexes (Proverbs 31; Acts 2:17-18). Conflicts will occur and
disagreements can be work through. The more the character of Christ marks us
the more capable we will be at working through the wars and disagreements.
However, the more we allow our fickle culture to influence our thinking the
more conflict and disharmony will escalate. Again, the Scriptures insist that both
genders are worthy of honor and respect and each individual should thank God
for what he made them.
