Biblical Manhood and Womanhood...

Thorughout the next few days, I will be posting some excerpts from a paper I wrote on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood. I pray that it might be found useful...

Across the Spectrum of evangelical churches, many views are held regarding the differences between men and women. Both sides agree that there are indeed differences between them, but the debate concerns differences of role rather than other differences such as physical, emotional etc. Both sides disagree as to the specific roles that men and women should have in church leadership, marriage, parenting, and other areas as well. The egalitarian position and the complementarian position are the two views held among evangelicals. According to Alexander Strauch, "the complementarian view teaches that God created men and women as equals with different gender roles." Complementarians teach that men and women are both equal in dignity, possess the same benefits of salvation, and are both image bearers of God. What complementarianism denies is that both men and women have no distinct differences of role. Egalitarians, however, "teach that God created men and women equally to bear the divine image. Furthermore, they conclude that true equality requires equal ministry opportunities for both sexes. They believe that the submission of the women in marriage and womanly restrictions in Christian ministry are inconsistent witht true biblical equality." In the midst of so many differing views, many evangelicals have come confused and have even resorted to indifference about this particular issue. In this increasing climate of indifference among evangelicals, we must emphatically stand firm and be faithful to what the Bible testifies about manhood and womanhood. The Bible clearly teaches that there are major differences as to the roles men and women have although men and woman remain equal in dignity. The egalitarian positon may seem harmless, even charitable and loving, yet much harm will befall the church if embraced by evangelical leaders. Egalitarians have failed to properly understand the differences of role between men and women in the church and in marriage, resulting in widespread confusion among evangelicals, and problems of heresy in the church. John MacArthur writes that, "Evangelical churches are just as susceptible to the feminist onslaught, and once it gains a foothold, we could very well see similar trends develop within the evangelical community throughout the next twenty years." This is a sad truth, and because of this prospect, a clear understanding of biblical manhood and womanhood is essential to the heart and minid of a Christian.

Jordan