We’re tackling the big topic of women in leadership and authority structures in the church! This week Jeff and Tyler turn to the beginning, to Genesis to look at how relationships between men and women got their start, and what happened after that.
We love questions! Any questions you have about this topic, or any bible-related question Email thekindfaith@gmail.com
SHOW NOTES:
[00:12] Introduction:
[04:19] Genesis 1
[14:50] Genesis 2
[22:12] Genesis 3
[33:16] Genesis 4
[40:20] Wrap up and Summary.
MORE DETAILS:
[00:12] Raising the questions: Are women allowed to have leadership in the church? A short intro of our background, and then we’re going all the way back to the beginning.
[04:19] Genesis 1:26-29
God’s image: God created “man”, in the image of God he created “him”, male and female he created “them.”
The core of the “image” is relational. it’s also primarily about “rule.” Male and Female together are created as God’s image-bearing Kings and Queens to co-rule alongside God over creation. If we are isolated from the other than we are less able to bear God’s image.
Ray Andersen - Divine preference (God’s ideal) vs. biblical precedent (God condescending to broken humanity)
[14:50] Genesis 2:15-18
“it is not good for man to be alone… I will make a helper”
“helper” (ezer) is a strong, powerful word. Every other time it’s used to describe God! And when it’s used it parallels words like deliverer, strength, rescue. (see Exodus 18:4; Deuteronomy 33:7, and so many more) This has ZERO context of any subservient or demeaning ideas attached to it here in Genesis 2.
God takes from Adam’s side or rib: This also points to a mutuality and equality. Woman is the helper who stands alongside the Man equally.
[22:12] Genesis 3.
3:6 the man was standing right next to her! The woman deceived, but the man passively rebelling? That strong word “helper” could have applied to the man in this moment. He should have helped her and did not.
3:16 is NOT another “John 3:16… it is a curse and should never be emulated.
“in pain” - this is a word that means more emotional, heartache. While the woman has physical pain in birthing, it’s also the pain of Eve watching one son kill another; it’s the word that shows up in Genesis 6:6 when God “grieved” over his creation.
“your desire will be toward your husband” [PET PEEVE time: ESV adds “your desire will be contrary to your husband”] …”and he will rule over you.” Both of these roles- the woman finding her worth and desire in the man, or the man abusing that and ruling over her- are wrong! We were created to co-rule over creation, there should be no “ruling” over another human.
[33:16] Genesis 4 rounds out our picture so far
4:1 The art form of ambiguity: “I have gotten a man along with the LORD?” Eve seems to be saying that she’s become like God… just what the snake tempted her with. Whereas 4:25 has a lot more humility.
Chapter 4 plays out the “pain” that Eve has to endure as she watches her son kill her other son.
4:7 is the exact same phrase as 3:16 “Sins desire is for you, and you must rule over it.” What’s going on? Just as the man’s and woman’s relationship is broken by the fall, brother and brother is broken by fall. Ultimately our struggle is against “sin,” as depicted here in 4:7.
[40:20] Wrap-Up: Genesis 1 & 2 sets the Divine preference for how relationships were supposed to go; Genesis 3 & 4 shows us the brokenness of humanity after the Fall that will require the later Biblical precedent to condescend to our weakness and sin.
