Pastoral Statement on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood (Categorical)
God’s Design and the Value of Men and Women:
God created both man and woman equally in his image and with his blessing. Men and women, therefore, share intrinsic dignity and value (Genesis 1:26-28). We do not self-create who we are nor can we choose an identity contrary to what God created us to be. God’s design of male and female is good, and believers should therefore submit to God’s created design, joyfully accepting God’s purpose for sex and gender.
Distinctions and Interdependence for Men and Women:
God created man from the dust of the ground (Genesis 2:7), so his focus was to cultivate the ground as the initial phase of subduing the earth and exercising dominion over it (Genesis 2:15). God then said that it was not good for the man to be alone (Genesis 2:18) and created woman from Adam’s side (Genesis 2:21) to correspond to him and complete him (Genesis 2:18). He valued, cared for, and loved her (Genesis 2:23). God created man before creating woman in order to demonstrate man’s headship and charge to take responsibility for her (1 Timothy 2:12-14). The sexual binary (male-female) displayed in their biological genetic makeup and in their distinctive physical appearance and function is designed for the sake of completing one another and being fruitful. Rather than comparing and fixating on their differences, men and women pursue their purpose and God’s blessing through the Creation Mandate by filling the earth in order to subdue it (Genesis 1:26-28). This mutual dignity, value, and interdependence extends beyond husbands and wives to all men and women in their need for beneficial interaction and respectful interdependence.
Biblical Manhood:
Biblical manhood (or masculinity) is displayed in a benevolent and sacrificial leadership which owns responsibility for self and others, cultivates the fruitfulness of God's creation, and provides for the defense, protection, and prosperity of others. This leadership is fulfilled under the authority of God’s Word applied to various contexts (Ephesians 5:21-33, 6:1-4; 1 Corinthians 16:13-14; 1 Peter 3:7). Therefore, all expressions of manhood which devalue or abuse men and women are unbiblical and harmful.
Biblical Womanhood:
Biblical womanhood (or femininity) is displayed in a caring and sacrificial focus which helps others flourish, cultivates human fruitfulness, and joyfully supports God's created design for submission to her own husband and affirmation of leadership from worthy men under the authority of God’s Word applied to various contexts (1 Corinthians 11; Titus 2:3-5; 1 Peter 3:1-6). Therefore, all expressions of womanhood which oppose or undermine the distinctiveness between men and women are unbiblical and harmful.
The Effects of the Fall on Men and Women:
Struggles between men and women are a result of the Fall and ongoing human sinfulness and not a result of God’s good design. The very areas that God designed to bring joy would bring suffering. Conflict entered human relationships. Pain would characterize childbirth for the woman. Thorns, thistles, sweat, and death would add pain and difficulty to man’s efforts to cultivate the ground (Genesis 3:16-19).
The physical and relational effects of the Fall reflect the harm of deviating from God’s design for creation. Such effects cannot be used to validate behaviors contrary to that design (Matthew 19:4-5). Both the Old Testament and New forbid attitudes and acts of sexual disobedience (Leviticus 18; Leviticus 20; Deuteronomy 22:22-30; Romans 13:13; Colossians 3:5-6; 1 Corinthians 7:1-9; Hebrews 13:4). Divorce reflects human hardness of heart contrary to God’s good design (Matthew 19:8; 1 Corinthians 7:10-16), but His instruction concerning it displays His protection for the innocent (Matthew 19:9) and the vulnerable (Deuteronomy 24:1-4; Malachi 2:13-16).
Unity in Christ:
Men and women stand united and on equal ground at the foot of the cross (Galatians 3:28). Jesus Christ demonstrated the high value of women in contrast with the customs of the times (John 4; John 11:1-44; John 12:1-8; Luke 7:36-50; Luke 10:38-42; Luke 8:1-3).
Men and Women in the Church:
God’s design for men and women continues among His redeemed people in the life of the church. God has given the role of elder/overseer/pastor and the functions of authority over the congregation and authoritative teaching in gathered worship to gifted and qualified men (1 Timothy 2-3). That being the case, men and women are equally indispensable to the life and mission of the church (Philippians 4:2-3; Romans 16:1-16) and should be pursued to use their spiritual gifts in the church to encourage and edify the body as a whole (1 Corinthians 11:11-12; 1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4).
Therefore:
Men and women should not blur lines between one another in their actions or appearance since the differences between man and woman come from God’s design and purpose (1 Corinthians 11:2-16; Deuteronomy 22:5). Sexual self-conceptions and practices at odds with God’s sovereign creation and Scriptural instruction are contrary to God’s will and man’s good. By the power of Christ’s saving work and the indwelling Spirit of God, believers can wage spiritual war against any sinful deeds and desires (1 Corinthians 6:11)
Men should joyfully take responsibility to lead in every sphere over which God has given them accountability, knowing that God will judge them for the fruitfulness of those under their care (Matthew 25:14-30). They must lead for the benefit and flourishing of others and not their own glory or position (1 Corinthians 11:7).
Women should fearlessly conduct themselves to strengthen others in every sphere in which God has given them opportunity, knowing that God will work fruitfulness through faithful submission to His Word (Titus 2:1-5; 1 Peter 3:1-6; Philippians 2:12-13; 1 Timothy 2:15). Men and women should treat one another with the love and deference due to fellow heirs in the family of God (Galatians 3:28-29). The love of believers is characterized by obedience to God’s standards for how we are to relate to one another and submitting to the authority of Scripture in all aspects of life (Matthew 22:37-40).