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Mark,

I suspect that among those in this conversation, I am the least equipped to answer. I am very new to this topic–just discovering that this issue existed within Christendom to the extent that it does. To learn, I am actually asking a question of you in 63, 78, & 81.

That said, you asked, “With the new covenant of Christ, women were redeemed from the curses of Gen 3, therefore we are again all equal in every aspect of life?”

I am not sure I understand your question. If you are asking that under the new covenant of Christ are women saved from the consequences of “the fall”, I would say ask any woman who has been pregnant and lost a child or given birth if it was accompanied by worry, pain, and sorrow and any woman raising children in a fallen world if there is not an element of worry, pain, and sorrow that accompanies. Also, because of the treatment of women even through the present and the very fact that we are having this discussion reflects the description in Gen 3 of the disunity that exists between men and women. Similarly, despite the reconciliation with God afforded by Jesus Christ, mankind (males and females) must work for their daily sustenance. Men (mankind) must still work in order to survive. I see Genesis 3 as descriptive rather than prescriptive.

As far as your asking if in the New Covenant are males and females “…again equal in every aspect of life,” I am not sure exactly what you are asking. If you are asking, “are males and females equal image bearers of God”–yes. Are males and females equal in essence, dignity, and value? Yes. If you are asking do men and women have equal abilities, aptitudes, talents, bents, interests, etc.? No. No more than all women possess equally the same degree of abilities, aptitudes, talents, bents, and interests and no more than all men possess equally the same degree of abilities, aptitudes, talents, bents, and interests. Also, you said “again,” and I would say males and females have always been equal image bearers of God.

Lastly, the declaration to Adam in Gen 3 that he would return to the ground because it was from the ground he came, while not directed at Eve, describes her end as well. The New Covenant makes them co-heirs of the gracious gift of life, but males and females equally share in the experience of death.

I hope you will answer more specifically the question raised in #63, 78, 81.