Melanie Spindler Imperfect Christ-Follower, lover of God, seeker of Truth

First let's clarify the context in which equality is spoken about in Scripture. Scripture never refers to equality defined by ability, talents, gifts, appearances, money or other human constructs. It’s always spoken about in the context of "son-ship" and eternal inheritance; Galatians 3:28 is no exception. It’s also almost exclusively spoken within male/female relationships in the context of marriage.

On earth, Scripture speaks of great inequality that is allowed by the Lord, in riches, talents, abilities, in affliction and in material/physical blessing. It even speaks of God doling out as He sees fit, not equally. Jeremiah asks the Lord, "Why do the wicked prosper and the faithless live at ease?" (Jer 12:1). The parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30 has the Master giving each servant different amounts based on His own wisdom and discerning of how each servant would treat His wealth. The gifts of the Spirit are meted out differently among believers (Romans 12:1-11, 1 Peter 4:10-11). The Scripture even speaks of an allotment of faith given to each believer. All of that to say, we are not equal in these abilities, talents, gifts, fruit or prosperity from an earthly perspective; but we’re equal as children of God to serve Him and in the inheritance awaiting us.

Physically speaking, men and women are not equal. Aside from the obvious, our body composition is different. Men's muscles are larger, bones are stronger and they have less body fat; women are smaller, have lower muscle & bone mass and more water and fat content (the weaker vessel= 1 Peter 3:7). Women upon partruition have a flood of oxytocin that causes lactation; this is the "love" chemical that causes bonding when a mother nurses her child (devoted nursing mother= 1 Thes 2:7-8); men do not experience this. There are even anatomical differences in our brains that cause us to process information differently and mature and grow at different rates. There are thousands of other differences, too many to list. We are inherently unequal in our make-up for a purpose.

If this is asked from a feminist viewpoint, let me say I believe in equal renumeration for equal work. But let me cut to the chase: from the get go, God ordained a hierarchy for order in this life. Genesis 2:18-24 speaks to this: woman was made from man & not the other way around. Man & Woman even sinned in different ways in chapter 3 (she was deceived; he was passive and allowed himself to be "ruled" by his wife) and they were cursed in different ways. This speaks to how we are inherently different and not "equal" for our roles on earth

God gave this hierarchy of how things should be ordered while on this earth; not for men to use or abuse women (man-made perversion), but to create order. Paul said in 1 Cor 11:3, "the head of the woman is man, the head of every man is Christ, and the head of Christ is God." 1 Cor 14:34-35 also puts women in the church in submission to the order that God created: God-Christ-Man-Woman. Per verse 33, this is done because God is a God of peace and order and not chaos. 

The thing that helped me most as a young, educated, professional woman to battle the lies of modern-day feminism AND of perversion of Scripture, is an understanding of the term used for helper in Genesis 2:18. The Hebrew word is "Ezer;" this term in Scripture is almost exclusively used to describe God as humanity's helper and rescuer. This is not a lowly or subservient role, but it IS one of service. We are in service to God when we as women submit to our husbands.

God says about equality of the sexes:
1 Peter 3:7 AMP & MSG- You husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way [with great gentleness and tact, and with an intelligent regard for the marriage relationship], as someone physically weaker, lacking your advantages, since she is a woman. Show her honor and respect because she is an equal heir of the new life of God's grace, so that your prayers will not be hindered or ineffective.

August 10 2018 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Shirley H Wife, mother, veteran in the spiritual war we all face!

The Bible is God's testimony to all humankind.

Genesis 1:27, "So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Vs. 28, Then God blessed them..."

He created and blessed both of them.

Genesis 1:31, "Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good." 

Genesis 2:9, "And out of the ground the Lord God made every tree that is pleasant to the sight for food. The tree of life was also In the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil."

And man and woman sinned.

Genesis 3:21, "Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them." He clothed them both!

The tree of life is a symbol of eternal life God offers to all humankind. All have the choice of life eternal..this tree was present in the beginning...The fruit was not eaten because Adam and Eve sinned. 

Jesus came and left a legacy to ALL who by faith accept His work. John 20:30,31, "And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name."

Since the beginning, there have been many individual journeys, fraught with trials and tragedy and joy...life...

Revelation2:7, "He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give him to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God."...H-m-m-m, tree of life!

Jesus came to earth for the restoration of all and to once again offer the gift of eternal life to all!

Revelation 22:2-5, " In the middle of its street, on the other side of the river, was the tree of life, (say what) which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for healing of the nation's. And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him.They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the Sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever."

The believer, whoever he or she may be, will partake of the tree of life forever.

Revelation 22:6, "Then he said to me, These words are faithful and true...vs.7"Behold I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of the book."

This precious Book, tells of God's love for his beloved people, all people, male, female, all,races, colors, each individual, is precious equally to Him!

Jesus treated everyone equally with love, male and female. We are equal.

August 11 2018 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report