Different by Design

Top Highlights

“Since man was created first, he was given headship over the woman and creation. The fact that Adam named Eve—a privilege bestowed on those who had authority in the Old Testament—manifested his authority over her. But their original relationship was so pure and perfect that his headship over her was a manifestation of his consuming love for her, and her submission to him was a manifestation of her consuming love for him. No selfishness or self-will marred their relationship. Each lived for the other in perfect fulfillment of their created purpose and under God’s perfect provision and care.” (Page 19)

“God did not create Eve to be superior to Adam; neither did He design her to be his slave. He did give them a perfect relationship: man as the head willingly providing for her, and she willingly submitting to him. Adam saw Eve as one with him in every respect—that was God’s design for a perfectly glorious union.” (Page 20)

“With the Fall and its curse came the distortion of woman’s proper submissiveness and of man’s proper authority. That is where the battle of the sexes began, where women’s liberation movements and male chauvinism were born. Women have a sinful inclination to usurp man’s authority and men have a sinful inclination to put women under their feet.” (Page 23)

“Second, God blessed them as man and woman in verse 28: ‘God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply … fill the earth … subdue it; and rule’ ’ (emphasis added). The man and woman were co-regents: God gave both Adam and Eve the task to rule together over the lower creation.” (Page 18)