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=Synopsis=

=Synopsis=

What does the [http://www.biblegateway.com/ Bible] teach about women and their status as human beings, [[Christian]]s, citizens, and wives? This is the question of [http://www.cbeinternational.org egalitarianism] versus [http://www.cbmw.org/ complementarianism]. The purpose of this document is to present an accurate summary of the Christian egalitarian view. Christian Egalitarianism is not the promotion of female over male, nor of male over female. It is the belief that scripture shows male and female to be equal in salvation, in gifting, in service, and in access to God.

What does the [Bible] teach about women and their status as human beings, [[Christian]]s, citizens, and wives? This is the question of egalitarianism versus [complementarianism]. The purpose of this document is to present an accurate summary of the Christian egalitarian view. Christian Egalitarianism is not the promotion of female over male, nor of male over female. It is the belief that scripture shows male and female to be equal in salvation, in gifting, in service, and in access to [[God]].

=The Old Testament=

=The Old Testament=

==Before Sin==

==Before Sin==

Both male and female are stated as being made in the image of God ([http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=genesis%201:27;&version=72; Gen. 1:27]). Neither is said to reflect or represent that image more than the other. But is authority found in chronological order? God makes the only creatures with authority, humankind, last. If there is any tie between authority and chronological order, the text can only support the idea that the last created being is the one in authority. So Eve's being created after Adam does not imply his rulership over her, but could actually support the opposite. However, the only concrete statement that can be made about why humans were given authority is based upon their being made in God's image; no connection is made between chronology and hierarchy.  

Both male and female are stated as being made in the image of God <ref>http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=genesis%201:27;&version=72</ref>; Gen. 1:27. Neither is said to reflect or represent that image more than the other. But is authority found in chronological order? God makes the only creatures with authority, humankind, last. If there is any tie between authority and chronological order, the text can only support the idea that the last created being is the one in authority. So [[Eve]]'s being created after [[Adam]] does not imply his rulership over her, but could actually support the opposite. However, the only concrete statement that can be made about why humans were given authority is based upon their being made in God's image; no connection is made between chronology and hierarchy.  

Likewise, no connection is made between naming another creature and hierarchy. Adam [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%202:20;&version=72; named animals] because God told him to, and Adam [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%202:23;&version=72; named "woman"] because he existed before her. But the text never calls this naming any kind of authoritative act. The text states the purpose of Eve's creation to be as a [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%202:18;&version=72; helper] for Adam. Does this constitute an instance of hierarchy, that is, is a "helper" inferior to the one needing help? The scripture here makes no explicit statement either way; all other claims about hierarchy have to be inferred from other passages, or from our own usage. Even so, we can take "[http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/helper helper]" as either an assistant or a benefactor, so usage of the word "helper" does not intrinsically tip the scales in either direction. In fact, if we do check other scriptures for the word "help" or "helper", we see that [http://godswordtowomen.org/studies/word%20study/help.htm same word] used for God as for Eve.

Likewise, no connection is made between naming another creature and hierarchy. Adam named animals <ref>http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%202:20;&version=72</ref> because God told him to, and Adam named "woman" <ref>http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%202:23;&version=72</ref> because he existed before her. But the text never calls this naming any kind of authoritative act. The text states the purpose of Eve's creation to be as a helper <ref>http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%202:18;&version=72</ref> for Adam. Does this constitute an instance of hierarchy, that is, is a "helper" inferior to the one needing help? The scripture here makes no explicit statement either way; all other claims about hierarchy have to be inferred from other passages, or from our own usage. Even so, we can take "helper" <ref>http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/helper</ref> as either an assistant or a benefactor, so usage of the word "helper" does not intrinsically tip the scales in either direction. In fact, if we do check other scriptures for the word "help" or "helper", we see that same word <ref>http://godswordtowomen.org/studies/word%20study/help.htm</ref> used for God as for Eve.

One often-overlooked fact in this pre-sin world is that "a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife and they will become one flesh" ([http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%202:24;&version=72; 2:24]). The man is to join to the woman, not the woman to the man. Does this signify authority or hierarchy? The passage is silent about that; it is simply stated as a fact. This statement does not prove either way that one joining to the other indicates hierarchy. If our experience says anything, it is either neutral (a joining of two equals) or indicates that the one being joined to is superior. But there is no case of the one being joined to signifying superiority over the one joining. Their being "one flesh" can either refer to a figurative return to the unity of Adam and Eve, or possibly to "one family". From there we could say that if one must take the other's name, it would be the man taking his wife's name.

One often-overlooked fact in this pre-sin world is that "a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife and they will become one flesh" <ref>http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%202:24;&version=72; 2:24</ref>. The man is to join to the woman, not the woman to the man. Does this signify authority or hierarchy? The passage is silent about that; it is simply stated as a fact. This statement does not prove either way that one joining to the other indicates hierarchy. If our experience says anything, it is either neutral (a joining of two equals) or indicates that the one being joined to is superior. But there is no case of the one being joined to signifying superiority over the one joining. Their being "one flesh" can either refer to a figurative return to the unity of Adam and Eve, or possibly to "one family". From there we could say that if one must take the other's name, it would be the man taking his wife's name.

So the Bible never explicitly or even implicitly indicates any kind of hierarchy between Adam and Eve before sin.

So the Bible never explicitly or even implicitly indicates any kind of hierarchy between Adam and Eve before sin.

==The Temptation==

==The Temptation==

Adam and Eve were [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%203:6;&version=72; together] in the garden when the serpent tempted Eve; she did not try to hide from him or deceive him in any way. When asked what God had said about the Tree of Knowledge, Eve's [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%203:3;&version=72; expanded answer] was not challenged by either Adam or the serpent. Eve attributed her answer to God, not to Adam, and there is nothing in the text to indicate otherwise. There is also nothing to indicate that Eve lied or was improperly instructed by Adam if she had gotten the warning from him instead of directly from God. But the [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%203:4-5;&version=72; serpent] clearly lied ("you will not die") and "sweetened the deal" ("you will be like God"). The serpent's appeal to Eve was that God had lied and withheld knowledge. This deception and appeal to being like God [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%203:13;&version=72; tricked Eve] into sinning by eating the fruit.

Adam and Eve were together <ref>http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%203:6;&version=72</ref> in the garden when the serpent tempted Eve; she did not try to hide from him or deceive him in any way. When asked what God had said about the Tree of Knowledge, Eve's expanded answer <ref>http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%203:3;&version=72;</ref> was not challenged by either Adam or the serpent. Eve attributed her answer to God, not to Adam, and there is nothing in the text to indicate otherwise. There is also nothing to indicate that Eve lied or was improperly instructed by Adam if she had gotten the warning from him instead of directly from God. But the serpent <ref>http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%203:4-5;&version=72</ref> clearly lied ("you will not die") and "sweetened the deal" ("you will be like God"). The serpent's appeal to Eve was that God had lied and withheld knowledge. This deception and appeal to being like God tricked Eve <ref>http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%203:13;&version=72</ref> into sinning by eating the fruit.

Note that Adam was completely silent throughout the whole exchange, and when Eve handed him the fruit he ate it without objection. There is nothing in the text to indicate that Adam had also been deceived, so his sin of eating the fruit was deliberate and without excuse. And there is no hint of authority here except for that of God. If Adam had been given authority over Eve, he made no indication of it nor used it to protect her. Again, there is no indication of hierarchy between Adam and Eve anywhere in this passage.

Note that Adam was completely silent throughout the whole exchange, and when Eve handed him the fruit he ate it without objection. There is nothing in the text to indicate that Adam had also been deceived, so his sin of eating the fruit was deliberate and without excuse. And there is no hint of authority here except for that of God. If Adam had been given authority over Eve, he made no indication of it nor used it to protect her. Again, there is no indication of hierarchy between Adam and Eve anywhere in this passage.