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Mark,

You write: “My view is this- men and women are equal in essence, in the image fo God, but not in function. e.g- Adam is commissioned to look after the Garden and Eve isnt- she is his helper.”

How do you reconcile “Adam is commissioned to look after the Garden and Eve isn’t-she is his helper” with both male and female were to be fruitful, multiply, replenish, subdue and rule (care) for the earth?

You continue: “Does this make Eve any less a person or less important,not at all. They simply have different roles to play in God’s created world, both equally precious in the eyes of God. I do not think Eve or women are less important, loved etc”

I do not see that they have different roles to play in God’s created world. I read from the text that both were give the same responsibility to be fruitful, multiply, replenish, subdue, and rule or care for the earth. There is no hierarchy but rather a glorious harmony–partnership.

You continue: “If Adam is the ‘leader’ of Eve, it makes perfect sense that he is the one spoken to by God in those circumstances.”

The caveat is “IF”. I read that both were spoken to by God.

You continue: “In fact throughout scripture it is the ‘leaders’ who are held more accountable for their actions over people, look through the historical books and prophets to see this outlined very clearly.”

I understand that kings, rulers, etc. where held to a high standard of justice towards their subjects or those they governed. A breach of this standard was more grievous because as kings, rulers, etc. were not to use their position for their own advantage or to abuse their power. When Samuel approached David regarding his sin, David understood that he was the man who was culpable and deserving of death–the same sentence of any man caught in adultery. His sin was more offensive because he being a king had access to many lambs but took the man who only had one. He abused his position and power in adultery and in the murder of Uriah.

If you are using this to say that as a leader Adam was held to more of an account for his actions, then please explain how the consequences of the fall are greater for him in comparison to the consequences of the fall for Eve and explain how his consequences are commensurate with the greater responsibility you say he had in comparison to the responsiblity that Eve was given keeping Ge 1:26-27 in mind.

You write: “The reason i ask about the ‘image of God’ stuff is because this is a constant fall back for egalitarian position. Maybe you dont hold to that particular teaching, im not sure?”

What exactly is the “image of God’ stuff” that is a “fall back” for the egalitarian position?

I just posted a quick response to this.