Male and Female in Genesis 2

In the first creation story (look at the last blog for more about the two creation stories in Genesis), Adam and Eve were created at the same time and created equal in status.  In the second creation story, Adam was created before Eve and after the animals.  In other words, Adam was created, then the animals and finally Eve.

Eve was created to fill a void in Adam's heart, an emptiness that the animals could not fill.

1 Timothy 2:11-14
A woman should learn in quietness and full submission.  I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent.  For Adam was formed first, then Eve.  And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. 


Paul clearly looked back at the second creation story to base his argement concerning male and female.  Because Adam was created before Eve, according to Paul:


1.  Women should not have authority over men.  Taken literally, this means women should not be leaders of any male or any group of people that includes at least one male.  This applies to politics, the church, to business and any where else.
2.  In such groups, women literally should not even give opinions, but keep their mouths shut.

However, notice that Paul qualified "I do not permit...."  He is not saying that it is a command from God. Not all scripture is meant to be taken universally and literally.  The proverb that states gray hair equals wisdom is not universally true, but is a generalization (as many other proverbs in the book of Proverbs). Paul is simply telling Timothy that he does not allow women to teach or position themselves above men. 

This leaves a lot of questions.  How far should we take Paul's advice?  Consider these:

1.  Aquilla and Priscilla worked with Paul, and Priscilla was probably the dominant person in the husband/wife relationship.   
2.  Junius was a woman's name and was mentioned by Paul in Romans 16.  She or he (with a woman's name) was a fellow apostle.

My point is this: Paul may have held to a certain theological position/belief about women; but in practice, he was more liberal.  BACK TO GENESIS

 
In 1 Timothy, Paul established the pecking order of male over female on the basis of two things:
1.  Adam was created before Eve.
2.  Eve was deceived by the serpent.

I have already shown that the first creation story equalized the relationship between man and woman.  It is in the second story of creation that we get differences.
1.  Adam was created before Eve.
2.  Eve was made for Adam.
3.  Adam named the woman, just as he named the animals before her.
4.  Eve does not even talk until she is tempted.  In other words, creation in the second story is all about Adam.

HOW SHOULD WE RELATE THIS TO TODAY'S WORLD?

In every group and in every society, there are women who excel.  Should we hold them back?  Keep them confined to using their gifts and skills for women only? 

The American Evangelical circles are usually conservative in these matters and encourage men to take leadership over women.  Their churches are (once again) usually led by men; some have written rules against women in leadership positions and some have only unspoken rules.

Many of these same Evangelicals would vote for a woman to become President of the U.S. if she was sufficiently born-again, anti-abortion/pro-life, anti-homosexual/pro-family and Republican.
Many of these same Evangelicals pay money to go to conferences with women speakers.
Many of these same Evangelicals watch women speakers who teach about Christian stuff on T.V.
Many of these same Evangelicals work under women in the work place, and accept their authority.
Many of these same Evangelicals do whatever their wives tell them to do.

There is a minority (probably a good sized minority) of Evangelicals who would allow women to become pastor or deacons (more of the latter).  They either ignore Paul's family rules or point to the exceptions of his rules such as Aquilla and Priscilla.  Some claim that Paul's rules were designed for the particular city and culture to which he was writing.

I just find it all very interesting.

How do Europe, Russia, Australia and other places deal with the Bible and women?  Any of you want to comment?