Garth Engwall

Created order does not equal hierarchy. If that were true, then the animals would be “over” humans, yet we see the opposite. If one wants to use a created order argument, then woman would actually rule over man. But there was no hierarchy in the garden. Hierarchy was introduced along with sin. “He will rule over you” is an ungodly consequence of the fall. not a godly mandated “order” of things. We see male dominance manifested throughout human history, proving God’s prediction of the consequences of sin.

Paul presents an antidote for the human condition in Ephesians 5, calling for mutual submission manifested through love and respect. There is no hierarchy present in Paul’s head/body metaphor – although hierarchy is read into the text by those who do not want to give up their power.

The only teaching passage that might suggest a hierarchy is 1 Cor 11, but that too is a biased misinterpretation. Cheryl has successfully rebutted the notion that this teaching deals with a God ordained “order” in either human relationships or the church.

I’d be curious to know the biblical basis for Castro’s assertions (although I can probably make a pretty good guess). Specifically, where in the text is it stated that “God placed a man over you to provide and protect”?