EFBT 1: A Summary of the Complementarian Position

August 4, 2006 Posted by Roger OvertoncloseAuthor: Roger Overton Name: Roger Overton
Email: rogeroverton@hotmail.com
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About: Roger Overton is currently pursuing a Masters degree at Talbot School of Theology. He has addressed various churches, schools and youth camps throughout the United States. Roger was co-editor of The New Media Frontier (Crossway, 2008) and God and Governing (Wipf & Stock, 2009). Roger can be emailed at rogeroverton@hotmail.com.See Authors Posts (570)

The first two chapters provide a description and positive
case for the Compliementarian view. Following that foundation, Grudem analyzes
Egalitarian arguments and objections through eleven chapters, with a concluding
chapter summarizing the current controversy in evangelical circles. The
following is a summary of chapter 1: A Biblical Vision of Manhood and Womanhood
as Created by God, which explains six key issues revolving around creation and
marriage.

 Key Issue #1:
Men and Women Are Equal in Value and Dignity

            All
discussions of gender should start here since this is where the Bible starts
(Gen 1:27)

Key Issue #2: Men and Women Have Different Roles in
Marriage as Part of the Created Order

            Grudem puts
forward ten arguments from Scripture (some stronger than others) that there was
male headship prior to the Fall; thus distinct roles from creation.

1. “The
   order: Adam was created first, then Eve (note the sequence in Genesis 2:7
   and Genesis 2:18-23).” (p30) Paul saw this as important- 1 Timothy
   2:12-13.
2. “The
   representation: Adam, not Eve, had a special role in representing the
   human race.” Eve sinned first, but Scripture says we fell in Adam- 1
   Corinthians 15:22, 45-49)
3. “The
   naming of the woman: When God made the first woman and ‘brought her to the
   man,’” (31) Adam named her- Genesis 2:23. Naming is a function of
   authority- See God’s naming creation Genesis 1:5-2:20.
4. “The
   naming of the human race: God named the human race ‘Man,’ not ‘Woman.’
   (34)- Genesis 5:1-2 “Does this make any difference? It does give a hint of
   male leadership, which God suggested in choosing this name. It is
   significant that God did call the human race ‘Woman.’” (35)
5. “The
   primary accountability: God spoke to Adam first after the Fall…. It
   indicated a primary responsibility for Adam in the conduct of his family.”
   (36) Genesis 3:9
6. “The
   purpose: Eve was created as a helper for Adam, not Adam as a helper for
   Eve.” (36) She was Adam’s helper by virtue of creation, not in certain
   situations, but in a normative sense. Genesis 2:18, 1 Corinthians 11:9
7. “The
   conflict: The curse brought a distortion of roles, not the new
   introduction of roles.” (37) Genesis 3:16 is not how the roles ought to
   be, but is how the created roles were distorted.
8. “The
   restoration: When we come to the New Testament, salvation in Christ
   reaffirms the creation order.” (40) In Christ the curse is reversed and
   the created roles are restored- Colossians 3:18-19.
9. “The
   mystery: Marriage from the beginning of Creation was a picture of the
   relationship between Christ and the church.” (41) Paul makes this point in
   Ephesians 5:31-32, and it is applied in 5:23.
10. “The
    parallel with the Trinity: The equality, differences, and unity between
    men and women reflect the quality, differences, and unity in the Trinity.”
    (42) See issue #3 below.

This Biblical model can only be
worked out when husband and wife each avoid errors of distortion in either
being too passive or too aggressive with their roles. Apart from headship, the
man’s responsibility is to provide for and protect his family. Apart from
support, the woman’s responsibility is to care for the home and nurture the
children.

Key Issue #3: The Equality and Differences Between
Men and Women Reflect the Equality and Differences in the Trinity

            See 1
Corinthians 11:3, “’head’ refers to one who is in a position of authority over
the other, as this Greek word (kephale) uniformly does whenever it is used in
ancient literature to say that one person is ‘head of’ another person or
group.” (45-46) So the principle of headship and authority did not begin with
the advent of theology, but is rooted in the eternal relationship between the
persons of the Trinity. Contra culture, authority can be (and is in this case)
a good thing.

Key Issue #4: The Equality and Differences Between
Men and Women are Very Good

            Since the
equality and differences are part of the created order, God’s judgment that it
is very good applies (Genesis 1:31) This order is fair because God it is God’s
decision, not that of sinful man. Because God is all-wise, this order is also
the best for us.

Key Issue #5: This is a Matter of Obedience to the
Bible

            “I think…
God has allowed this controversy into the church to test our hearts. Will we be
faithful to Him and obey His Word or not?” (53)

Key Issue #6: This Controversy Is Much Bigger Than We
Realize, Because It Touches All of Life
            Not
only does our position on this issue apply to marriage and the church, but it has
implications for education, economics, justice, and sports (to name a few).

Related posts:

1. EFBT: Complementarian Methodology
2. EFBT: Complementarian Motivation
3. On the Equality and Inequality of the Genders
4. EFBT 2.1: Men and Women in the Church
5. Interview with Mary Kassian – Part I
6. EFBT 2.2: Men and Women in Ministry

Posted in Gender Issues, Main Page, Roger's Posts