Executive Director's Column: Exposition of the Danvers Statement: Affirmations 1-3

The first three affirmations of the Danvers Statement begin where the Bible itself begins-in the Garden of Eden, prior to the Fall. It is here that we see a picture of manhood and womanhood before sin entered the world.

1. Both Adam and Eve were created in God's image, equal before God as persons and distinct in their manhood and womanhood.

Statement number one affirms that men and women are equally made in the image of God. Genesis 1:27 declares that God made man in his own image as male and female. The equality of men and women, then, is the necessary foundation from which to deal with all gender-related issues. In the creation account it is seen that men and women are, in their essence, equal in the sight of God. Neither has more or less value in their standing before their Creator.

2. Distinctions in masculine and feminine roles are ordained by God as part of the created order, and should find an echo in every human heart.

Statement number two affirms that roles between men and women originated in the pre-Fall garden and subsequently apply to all human beings. Since roles are a part of the original creation, then they are inherent in the lives of all men and women and thus should find an echo in every human heart. The idea that men and women are equal yet different, though rejected by modern feminism, is indeed a result of God's purposeful and beautiful design.

3. Adam's headship in marriage was established by God before the Fall, and was not a result of sin.

Statement number three affirms that the roles mentioned in statement number two involve the headship of Adam before the Fall. There are several reasons why it is asserted that headship is taught in Genesis 1 and 2.

First, Adam is created first. The concept of derivation and birth order comes into play here and Adam's headship is assumed in as much as Eve is created subsequently. The fact that Adam is created first is clearly a very important part of the narrative. He has a natural precedence by order of creation (cf. 1Cor. 11:3, 7-9; 1 Tim. 2: 11-13).

Second, man's headship is designated by the woman's creation to be his helper. Woman was, out of all the creatures uniquely suited for the man, thus signifying her unique equality with him. But her designation as Adam's helper shows that there is a distinct difference in their roles. Not only is Adam formed first, but God also gives him land, an occupation, and a wife-who is created to be his helper (cf. 1 Cor. 11:7-9).

Third, the naming function of Adam suggests headship. Adam is given the responsibility by God to name the animals over which he was given dominion. The responsibility of naming each animal reflected the nature of each and was a reminder to Adam that none was his equal. This is why upon seeing the woman for the first time Adam makes his "bone of my bone" declaration. With this statement he again acknowledges their equality yet demonstrates his headship in the act of naming.

Fourth, the command to leave and cleave is addressed to the man. It is clear here that the responsibility to establish the home and marriage is on the shoulders of the man, Adam. It is up to the man, not the woman to establish this activity, which is a sign of his leadership or headship.

Fifth, man was designated "Adam" which was also the term used to describe the whole human race, and this designation, since it was given to the man and not the woman, implies his occupation as head of the relationship.

The first three Danvers affirmations, then, are rooted in the fact that from the very beginning, the Bible teaches that men and women are equal in their essence before God, but are different in role and function. These differences manifest themselves in marriage through headship and submission.

In the next JBMW issue, affirmation number four will be addressed as we take a look at the distortions regarding manhood and womanhood brought about by the Fall.