Gender Roles In Christianity

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Gender has become a very controversial topic in the contemporary way of thinking. A variety of different viewpoints and standards are held by both past and present theological beliefs. The modern age has transformed societal standards, causing them to become further removed from traditional Biblical practices. In the Old Testament, gender roles were very specific. After the fall in Genesis chapter three, God tells Eve, “Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you” (Genesis 3:16, NIV). Because of the fall sin created a power struggle between male and females. Since the beginning of man kinds creation God ordained Adam (man) to rule over Eve (women). As times have progressed we have been slowly breaking away from these standards. …show more content…
Complementarianism is a view that relates more to that of the early church and do not hold the same beliefs and attitudes towards genders that egalitarians do. If they were to interpret Galatians 3:28 they would see it differently than a case of Biblical equality. Instead of interpreting this verse as God abolishing discrimination they see it as everyone having the equal opportunity to earn salvation. They agree that we are all one in Christ and all have the ability to attain salvation, but they are more traditional in their view of gender roles. They more closely follow the traditional views of the early church, males are dominant and rule over women. They believe that both Testaments assume male-priority based hierarchy. More modern Complimentariansim have adopted the views of “equal but different,” these types of complimentarianists still argue that male priority exits, but the genders are seen as having more complimentary roles. The believe that males posses the lead role, while women are supporters. So while women can help with making decisions the ultimate authority is solely up to the male gender role. According to complementarianism, women have a limited status in marriage, the church and elsewhere. They do not believe that women are to be put in control over men in the church, Frank Page the former president of the Southern Baptist Church Conversion puts it this way. “While both men and women are gifted for service in the church, the office of pastor is limited to men as qualified by