Women and the Curse

One of the problems that is often encountered in studies takes place because people begin their study in the wrong place or launch from that initial starting point in the wrong direction. Sometimes studies actually begin at the end rather than at the beginning, and then move backward seeking to align everything with the end conclusion rather than beginning at the beginning and allowing the journey to unfold. They realign everything in between to fit what they have already concluded was correct from the very outset of their study. Their information and conclusions unfold from the text under examination based on their preconceived notions rather than from the reality of what is inherent in the text or given situation. They impose their preconceived understanding upon that text and all the others that they examine, which is not exegesis but is eisegesis (reading meaning into the text). Therefore, I choose to begin with Genesis one, to seek to explore its meaning and message first, which is the actual starting place in the context of Biblical literature. Surely it was intended that our journey must begin here, at the beginning, and not at the end of the story. This is the starting point for beginning to understand who God is and His purposes for His creation, especially His purposes for human beings.

In these initial verses of Genesis, we can begin to find a defining of the purpose in creation and perhaps also an indication of the intended relationship between the “male” and the “female” human beings that God created. Perhaps we can also comprehend more clearly the relationship between God and human beings and the nature of God’s desired goal for their existence as a part of His good creation. There is much debate regarding the meaning of Genesis one and how it should be interpreted, as might be anticipated. Many people want to move quickly onward as they do not find what they are looking for in this text: perhaps this is because they have a preconceived agenda, and so focus little attention or effort here. Perhaps they do not find what they are seeking here because their understanding of this matter was not actually the intent of God from the beginning? Often the questions one asks dictate the answers one receives. If someone asks the wrong questions, then it is highly probable that he/she will find the wrong answers or generate the wrong conclusions.

Often it is far easier to accept what others have said or what others believe than it is to form our own conclusions based upon our own careful investigation. To be fair, investigating Scripture and theology takes time, energy, effort, and a lot of commitment. I personally have invested decades investigating Scripture, learning languages, studying cultural backgrounds, reading commentaries, books, archaeological reports, and so forth in order to make a more informed and reasoned investigation. I have not arrived at my final destination yet, far from it, and there is still so very much for me yet to learn. I am not of the school that believes that any person can just pick up the Bible and immediately understand everything written there without careful, and, at times, agonizing effort. I believe instead that we are called to “wrestle” with God as Jacob wrestled with Him at Bethel. When God touches us, it is often more than our hip socket that is wrenched out of joint. Many times, things that we hold to be dear beliefs and sacred traditions are uprooted and destroyed as our understanding grows. I hope to produce in this study a careful, reasonable, balanced, investigation of the passages of Scripture and traditions that are, at least in my view, relevant to the matter before us. I have also tried to make my reasonings accessible to the non-expert, those who are not highly trained linguists, or highly trained theologians. I pray that I create more clarity than fog and that the thoughts included in this study will spur those who read it to study, to learn, and to wrestle with God more fervently and with more intensity of desire as they pursue the truth of God.

For those who already have made up their mind, nothing that I can write or reveal to them will open their closed minds. They likely will not even open this book because they are of the view that they know what is correct and proper in this arena already. For those of this ilk, this work, and the thoughts contained in it, are heresy and not even worthy of consideration. This book is not for you. This book is for those who do not yet have everything neatly categorized and completely understood regarding the relationship that God intended to exist between men and women, and the purpose for all human beings. This book is for those who are still active explorers, searchers for truth. Hopefully, as we explore God’s words to His ancient people Israel, and those written to the early church, we can begin to understand more fully His heart and His desire for humanity.