There is no more extreme example of gender discrimination than pre-selection before birth. Sadly, delegates to the 14^th World Congress on In Vitro Fertilization were informed that gender pre-selection for non-medical reasons is increasing around the world as a result of new developments in reproductive technology.

Joseph Schenker, an obstetrician-gynecologist at Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem, noted that societies have favored the birth of boys over girls. He suggested that pre-implantation genetic screening to choose a child's sex is an acceptable alternative to female infanticide in India or abortion of female babies in China.

The most reliable method of gender selection involves creating several embryos through in vitro fertilization and examining them genetically to determine the gender. Then an embryo of the desired gender is chosen and transferred to the mother’s uterus. The leftover embryos are either destroyed, frozen or donated.

At CBMW we are grieved to see unbiblical discrimination between men and women who are fearfully and wonderfully made from the womb (Psalms 139:13-14) and who have equal access to salvation in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28). Pre-selection before birth is the worst form of discrimination against women, and it is inherently sinful to artificially favor the birth of boys over girls. Do not let the sterile techniques of reproductive technology that “destroy embryos” obscure the fact that these sinful desires lead to the murder of women who bear the image of God (Genesis 9:6).

Photo from by IVF.com, Atlanta, GA, USA. Copyright 2005.

John Piper recently honored Chuck & Carol Steddom and Sam & Vicki Crabtree for their contribution to Bethlehem Baptist church over the past ten years. The following excerpt from his comments captures the essence of pastoral ministry at this complementarian church:

1. Both (Chuck and Sam) bring masculine force to their work.

You meet it on the basketball court: Sam simply doesn’t miss shots, and Chuck is a gorilla on the boards. But I mean the masculine force in worship and administrative motion. It is no secret I want the leadership of Bethlehem to have a vibrant, strong, wise, tender, gutsy, masculine feel to it. There are too many effeminate churches—especially in worship services—and it is killing the church for men who think this is too silky for them. And it is killing the church for their women who wish they were there growing strong in grace. Praise God for two men who give to the leadership at Bethlehem a humble, strong, and naturally masculine feel. They don’t need to work at it. They embody it.

2. Both of these men married superbly strong partners in ministry (Carol and Vicki), especially at the piano.

Whether it is worship services, weddings, funerals, or other gatherings, Carol and Vicki are models of undistracting excellence. That is, they do their work so well they are almost invisible. There is no distracting flare. There is rock-solid strength in the genre at hand, and I never lose a moment’s peace worrying about their competence or their appropriateness.

Reflecting on their partnership in the gospel, Pastor John rejoiced, “The Lord is my chosen portion and cup, you hold my lot, the lines have fallen for me in pleasant places” (Psalm 16:5-6).

Are the differences between man and woman merely a social construct or are they something more deeply woven into the fabric of creation? Does each gender possess certain attributes, skills, proclivities and tastes that are intrinsically tied to gender? Law enforcement in one major city, in practice at least, demonstrates the truth of the God-ordained differences between men and women.

Policemen in Bangkok are now subject to a disciplinary measure requiring them to wear a pink Hello Kitty armband for various misdemeanor infractions.

“Simple warnings no longer work,” said Pongpat Chayaphan, acting chief of the Crime Suppression Division in Bangkok, who instituted the new humiliation this week.

“This new twist is expected to make them feel guilt and shame and prevent them from repeating the offense, no matter how minor,” he said. “Kitty is a cute icon for young girls. It’s not something macho police officers want covering their biceps.”

Gender distinctions are part of the created order, and as such have been imprinted on the hearts of men and women. These distinctions involve certain responsibilities and roles, which in turn help to define masculinity and femininity. The fall has introduced distortions and confusion in this area, but there is still a God-given inclination for men (in this case) to resist being categorized as effeminate even if they are not necessarily doing so on any biblical grounds.

Photo of a police officer in Bangkok showing a pink Hello Kitty armband from Yasushi Ukigaya/Kyodo News, via Associated Press

Scott Jasckik recently reported at Inside Higher Ed that the momentum for gender neutrality seems to be increasing on campuses around the country.  One indication is the addition of gender-neutral bathrooms (see related CBMW blog post) Another indication is that this fall 30 colleges and universities “have created options for gender-neutral housing, in which the norm for roommates is not presumed to be someone of the same sex.” 

University of Pennsylvania adopted this policy in 2005, and the Daily Pennsylvanian reported that “Proponents of gender-neutral housing see the policy partly as a way to address the fact that gay students may feel more comfortable living with students of the opposite gender and that trans-gender students may feel uncomfortable with the system usually used to assign students housing.”

Such arrangements don't mean there aren't rules.  For example, in Connecticut College dorms, as in most nationwide, students are warned against underage drinking and taught honor codes that emphasize respect.

"I don't see why you have to separate the two sexes. [Co-ed] is great," says Rick Gabriele, a first-year student at Haverford College in Pennsylvania. "You get used to being around the opposite sex. I walk into the bathroom, and there'll be a girl brushing her teeth, and then I'll jump in the shower." But he adds that dating a girl on his floor would be "odd."

The Word of God is timeless and true.  Unless we are anchored to eternal truth, we will inevitably drift with the culture into foolishness.  While equal in value and dignity, men and women are distinct in roles and functions.  I would argue that this distinction should be maintained in dorm rooms and bathrooms.  More than “odd,” gender-neutral dorm rooms oppose in many ways God’s good design for men and women.

Data released by the U.S. Census Bureau Monday shows that college enrollment in the United States is up due in large part to an upsurge in the enrollment of female students. Male students, on the other hand, are not faring so well. According to a USA Today report, “the numbers confirm years of enrollment data showing that women have not only closed the college enrollment gap — they have far surpassed men on campuses. For every four men enrolled in graduate school in 2006, there were nearly six women.

A leading Maryland psychologist partially attributes the downturn in the number of men in college to the notion that, “Doing well in school and caring about your grades has come to be seen as unmasculine.”

It is a positive development that many women are taking advantage of their God-given gifts to pursue advanced levels of education. On the other hand, it is disturbing that so few young men are seeing the need to equip themselves to be more able breadwinners for their families. As CBMW has long asserted, men are called to lead, protect and provide for their families; education, under the Lordship of Christ, can aid in all three areas.

The Maryland psychologist is correct in his assertion that books and brains are often stigmatized as geeky and “sissified.” Let us dispense with the false notion that books and masculinity are not compatible and encourage our boys to love God with all their hearts and minds.