Genesis 1-3
Different From, Different For
Big Idea:
God designed men and women intentionally, differently, and complementarily. God made us male and female. He knows what is best and his design is good.
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It is the truth which is assailed in any age which tests our fidelity… If I profess, with the loudest voice and the clearest exposition, every portion of the truth of God except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christianity.
- Elizabeth Rundle Charles
The Three-Week Plan
1) The foundation (Genesis 1-3)
2) The context of marriage (Ephesians 5)
3) The context of the Church (Titus 1-2)
Biblical Manhood and Womanhood
Today’s Plan
1) Different From
2) Different For
Genesis 1-3
Different From
“God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.”
- Genesis 1:27
Genesis 1-3
Different From
“God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.”
- Genesis 1:27
1) God created
2) God created in His image
3) God created us (only) male and female
Genesis 1-3
Different From
equality ≠ equivalence
Genesis 1-3
Different From
equality ≠ equivalence
“We affirm that God created mankind, male and female, in His own image and after His likeness, and that men and women are therefore equal in dignity, worth, and value before God (Gen. 1:26–28). Both are equally created in the image of God, equally fallen in Adam (Rom. 3:23; 5:12), equally in need of the grace of Christ, equally justified by faith, equally united to Christ, and equally heirs of ‘the grace of life’ (Gal. 3:26–29; 1 Pet. 3:7).”
- Elder’s Statement on Complementarity
Genesis 1-3
Different From
Genesis 1-3
Adam
“formed” (2:7)
“dust from the ground” (2:7)
formed outside the garden (2:8)
placed in the garden (2:8)
“work it and keep it” (2:15)
distinct responsibility (2:16-17)
gives names (2:19-20)
unique role in marriage (2:24)
Different From
Genesis 1-3
Eve
“built” (2:22)
“took one of his ribs” (2:21)
made inside the garden (2:22)
“helper fit for him” (2:18)
distinct responsibility (2:18)
receives name (2:19-20)
unique role in marriage (2:24)
Adam
“formed” (2:7)
“dust from the ground” (2:7)
formed outside the garden (2:8)
placed in the garden (2:8)
“work it and keep it” (2:15)
distinct responsibility (2:16-17)
gives names (2:19-20)
unique role in marriage (2:24)
Different For
Genesis 1-3
- Adam and Eve both carry unique
responsibilities that they are uniquely
able to meet for one another (2:15-18)
- Adam is missing the complementary . . . completion that only Eve brings (2:18)
- Fittedness for one another (2:24)
Different From and Different For
Genesis 1-3
Eve
“built” (2:22)
“took one of his ribs” (2:21)
made inside the garden (2:22)
“helper fit for him” (2:18)
distinct responsibility (2:18)
receives name (2:19-20)
unique role in marriage (2:24)
“helper”
Adam
“formed” (2:7)
“dust from the ground” (2:7)
formed outside the garden (2:8)
placed in the garden (2:8)
“work it and keep it” (2:15)
distinct responsibility (2:16-17)
gives names (2:19-20)
unique role in marriage (2:24)
“head”
Two Problems to Confront
1) Boxes that are too big (outside the Church)
2) Boxes that are too small (inside the Church)
Two Important Take-aways
1) God’s designs are intentional and good
2) Sin brings confusion