The Spirit in Which We Apply the Scriptural Roles of Man and Woman

Abstract

Walter Beckmann’s essay explores the scriptural roles of men and women in the home, church, and society, emphasizing the spirit of love and service in which these roles are to be applied. Drawing from Genesis 1:27 and key New Testament passages, Beckmann affirms the headship of the husband in marriage and the complementary role of the wife, grounded in mutual love and submission modeled after Christ and the Church. In the church, he extends this order, encouraging men to lead with spiritual wisdom and women to serve joyfully within scriptural boundaries. He roots these roles in the order of creation, noting that sin disrupted God’s design but that the Gospel restores the image of God and enables believers to live out their roles faithfully. In the world, where the Gospel’s influence is absent, Beckmann advocates for Christian witness through love, respect, and responsible engagement, especially for women navigating secular environments. He concludes that the application of these roles must always be governed by love, which fulfills the law. —Generated by Microsoft Copilot (GPT-4)