2007 How does what we are doing affect relationships?

Gender & The BibleGender & The Bible

Mandy Marshall

2007 How does what we are doing affect relationships?

What does Tearfund’s What does Tearfund’s GRAD Policy state?GRAD Policy state?

Men and women are equal before GodWe are committed to the poor and challenging injustice noting that women bear the disproportionate burden of poverty and injusticeEmpowerment is an important part of the restoration of shalom (restored relationships)We should identify and support women’s practical and strategic needs

2007 How does what we are doing affect relationships?

Strategic objective - Strategic objective - gendergender

Tearfund is committed to the vision of the restoration of God’s original intention of partnership for woman and man in the family and the wider community

2007 How does what we are doing affect relationships?

What does Tearfund’s What does Tearfund’s Theological Framework Theological Framework state?state?

Women and Men are made in the image of God, by God and for relationship with God.Men and Women are equal before GodWomen and Men are to live together in love and respectGender injustice must be challengedGender work must include men and masculinities

2007 How does what we are doing affect relationships?

Controversial areasControversial areas

Creation ordinanceWoman is a helperConcept of ‘head’Submission of womenNo women leadersWomen cannot teach

2007 How does what we are doing affect relationships?

Creation OrdinanceCreation Ordinance

Woman is created after manTemporal priority – animals are created before man – does that make animals superior to man?

Woman is taken from the manOrigin of life is divine not from man

Woman is named by the manVerb ‘to call’ used rather than the noun ’name’. Gen 2:v23 the noun ‘name’ does not occur

Woman is created to be ‘helper’

2007 How does what we are doing affect relationships?

Woman created as Woman created as helperhelper

Word helper used 19 times in the OT1 is a question, 3 used of man, 15 used of God bringing succour to his people

Helpmate fit for man – his equal, counterpart, associate, companion, partner.Gen 2:v24 Man cleaves to his wife – mutual co-dependence Man and woman are created equal – no superiority of one over another

2007 How does what we are doing affect relationships?

Concept of ‘Head’Concept of ‘Head’Head in this context is used as a metaphorNeed to think of 1st century use not 21st centuryGreek word ‘Kephale’ – source or originHebrew word ‘rosh’ can be used metaphorically as ‘chief over’ but idea of ‘priority’ rather than ‘ruler over’Paul is a Hebrew speaker writing in Greek – he deliberately uses KephaleColossians 1:v18 – Christ is the head of the church. Christ is the origin or source of the churchHead of Christ is God – no authority over here as equalAuthority over is not used

2007 How does what we are doing affect relationships?

Submission of womenSubmission of womenOnly God ever seen as subjecting othersSubmit to one another – equal askSubmission is always voluntary never required or orderedNot obey – it is never used in this context – different wordHupotasso – to order/arrange/put in place ‘Within the NT no ruler or authority of any kind, within or without the church is ever told to subject others to or to take action to ensure the submission of others.’ Mary Evans

2007 How does what we are doing affect relationships?

No women leadersNo women leaders

Leadership seen as service rather than statusIssue of language

Greek: Anthropos – human but we translate as man. Greek for man is Aner. Paul uses Anthropos 1 Tim 2: Didasko – teach – Priscilla did teach with Paul’s approval and corrected himAsthentein – to hold authority -used only once in the entire NT. No clear meaningExousia–is the authority from the holy spirit Diaconos–deacon- name given to both women & men

2007 How does what we are doing affect relationships?

Jesus approach to Jesus approach to womenwomen

Subjects not objectsMixed freely in everyday life – equalsInclusive - used as examples in the parablesFollowers and disciples - women supported his ministryWomen included in theological conversationsWomen in the passion narrativesJesus’ attitude was original, radical, inclusive and highly significant.

2007 How does what we are doing affect relationships?

The Answers?The Answers?

Only in Christ are the broken relationships between man and woman, God and Mankind fully restored.Four aspects :

Difference – we are uniqueComplementarity – fit together – mankind is man and womanUnion – together we make up the body of Christ in the image of GodSameness – same in sin and same in need for redemption

2007 How does what we are doing affect relationships?

Our response?Our response?

‘A constant question for us is how does what we do affect our relationships?’What was new for me in this presentation?What did I already know?What do I now see differently?What new direction will I now take?

2007 How does what we are doing affect relationships?

ResourcesResources

Woman in the Bible – Mary EvansCreated or Constructed – the great gender debate – Elaine StorkeyConversations on Christian Feminism – Margaret Hebblethwaite and Elaine Storkey‘God of the Poor’ chapter 10– Dewi HughesChristians for Biblical Equality - www.cbeinternational.org