Male and Female He Created Them: The Implications of a Paradigmatic Reading of Genesis 1–3 for the Complementarian-Egalitarian Debate

Abstract

This DMin thesis argues that Genesis 1–3 contains, in seed form, the essence of maleness and femaleness as seen in patterned relationships that are upheld, expounded, and applied by biblical authors across the canon. Chapter 1 surveys various works representing three streams of thought on the nature and significance of male and female within the Christian tradition. Chapter 2 proves that a male-female paradigm is established in Genesis 1–3 and interprets its didactic significance. Chapter 3 defends such a reading of Genesis 1–3 in light of apostolic recognition and appropriation of the male-female paradigm established therein. Chapter 4 surveys scriptural narratives of men and women in various canonical contexts, examining how the biblical authors embraced and developed the paradigm established in Genesis 1–3. Chapter 5 explores the implications of a fully-formed scriptural vision of the sexes for the life of the church.