Biblical Manhood and Womanhood in the World & Workplace
I. Introduction: Masculinity and Femininity in a Feminist World
- “We are talking about a society in which there will be no roles other than those chosen or those earned” – Gloria Steinem, 1971
- A question of wisdom: figuring out how to live in God’s created world according to God’s design and for godly purposes
II. Embrace Our Created Dispositions
- Gen 1: equality in God’s image; Gen 2-3: difference in disposition
- Gen 2:15, 18 Adam to provide and protect; Eve as “helper”
- Gen 3:9, 20 Adam called to responsibility; Eve as “mother”
- General physical differences between men and women
III. Gain Wisdom from Our Prescribed Roles in the Home and the Church
- No scriptural rules or boundaries about roles in the public square
- Still, God’s prescribed roles represent a formalizing of men’s and women’s distinct created dispositions
- 1 Pet 3:4 “A gentle and quiet spirit” can teach us something about femininity in general
- A husband’s call to lay down his life (Eph 5:25-28) can teach us something about masculinity in general
IV. Consider Your Particular Stewardships and Responsibilities
- What non-negotiable duties has God called me to?
- Verse 15: She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household.
- Verse 16: She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
- Verse 18: She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Verse 24: She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant.
- Verses 27-28: She looks well to the ways of her household…. Her children rise up and call her blessed, her husband also, and he praises her.
V. Applying These Considerations
Pursue endeavors that seem consistent with your identity and responsibilities as a man or woman, rather than endeavors than might undermine or suppress them. And in whatever position or endeavor you find yourself, do your best to express it in a way that embraces and upholds your God-given masculinity or femininity.
- Think about the type of authority a job involves
- Consider how to express yourself, as an employer or employee, in distinctly masculine or feminine ways