Are Men Better Than Women?

We spent our time together 1) realizing that masculinity is misunderstood and under attack and 2) trying to understand and commit to the biblical view of masculinity.

However, we didn't get to spend any time describing femininity and the difference between the two genders. And so the incredibly important question arises: are men better than women?

Here's my answer in vague complexity: "No." Let me try again with restatement: "No."

The Bible states in no unclear terms that male and female are made equal and together in the image of God (Gen. 1.27). And we are each invited personally to a relationship with Christ and are saved equally and perfectly through Him (Gal. 3.28). In fact, we see in Genesis that "It is not good for man to be alone." (Gen. 2.18) Masculinity by itself is incomplete, so God made, literally, the perfect helper or completion: the woman. Womanhood and femininity is to be honored and protected.

The Bible speaks clearly that men are not greater in value than women. And men who think so don't get their prayers heard (1 Peter 3.7). "Women" aren't to submit to "men". We are not to dominate or domineer - ever.

However, the great question for our day is this: "Does equality negate authority?" Because it seems that the Bible unequivocally gives men the authority that comes with the primary responsibility in certain relationships. Consider Ephesians 5.22-33, Colossians 3.18, 1 Peter 3.1-6, and 1 Timothy 2.11-3.7.

Egalitarians say that equality negates authority and that there is no such thing as primary responsibility in gender roles and that submission in gender roles comes only from our fall into sin. I'll respond to this briefly.

In Galatians 3.28 (the egalitarian's favorite verse), "there is no such thing as male or female in Christ." This would seem to perhaps negate things like "the husband being the head of the wife" as found in Ephesians 5. But Galatians 3 is not talking about gender roles, marriage, or church leadership, though it will certainly have its implications. Galatians 3.28 is saying that our righteousness is perfect in Christ and that no human distinction can mar the sufficiency of salvation in him. But does this "equality in Christ" negate authority?

Let me ask: who is more valuable in Christ, me or one of my parishoners? Am I "better"? No, we are equal in Christ. But who has greater authority in the church? I do. Equality in value does not negate difference in role.

Another question: who is more valuable, the Father or the Son? A ridiculous question, right? They are equal in essence, nature, and "God-ness." And yet 1 Cor. 11.3 has this:

But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.

The head of Christ is God. The Son, though equal, submits to the authority of the Father (see 1 Corinthians 15.20-28).

We learn a lot here. For instance:
1. Submission is not an evil product of the fall. Submission had no beginning but is a glorious part of the Trinity.
2. Our gender roles glorify the relationship of the Triune God and are therefore glorious and important.

Men are not better than women. The two genders have equal value and worth in being made in the image of God together. However, in their equality, the genders are different in role as the Bible defines.

More questions? Ask...and look here:

Fifty Crucial Questions: An Overview of Central Concerns About Manhood and Womanhood