MamaBear Monday with Gospel Gal:
Gender Role or Identity in Christ
Marissa Namirr, Joy Dudley, & Guest Contributor, Kat Andrich
Earlier this month, author, talk show host, political commentator, and activist Candace Owens Tweeted out:
"It’s so important for women to start families. With very few exceptions— women that don’t start families transform into angry, bitter, maladapted, shrieking sociopaths with their therapists on speed dial. Fighting biology never ends well. Women are meant to nurture." The link to this post is here:
https://mobile.twitter.com/RealCandaceO/status/1423679847268761602?fbclid=IwAR1HVjF0Ghlot4uZ80zyQYIjKW9cHJ2vhrRHqQUpDnnoqgAQ-w054DbqdV0
To engage the problems with Owens' and Alexander's thinking on the topic of women's roles. I'll identify some of the underlying assumptions in patriarchal thinking, specifically evidenced in Ms. Alexander's writing:
Alexander states:
"From Creation, the woman was created to be her husband’s help meet. After the Fall, we are told that Eve’s “desire shall be to they husband, and he shall rule over thee” (Genesis 3:16). Due to sin, the woman will desire to control her husband, but the husband is to be in authority over her. Without an authority structure, chaos reigns," in her blog article, "A Reminder of Your God-Ordained Role, Women".
No other alternative is given. Gleaning from Alexander's words here, it seems her assumption goes like this: the Bible never clarifies that a female was ordained by God to be or do anything else. She seems to suggest that being a wife/mother is a woman's only legitimate calling. In another post she states: "...it’s transferring one woman from her father to her husband, but this is for her protection! Women are the weaker vessel, and God set it up for women to be protected by men." (The Transformed Wife post: "Marriage Hinders Women from Reaching Their Full Potenial?") And in an earlier post, she remarks, "Women used to know the value of being at home raising children. They knew the value of marriage. They had no desire to get involved in politics or be in the police force or military. They were thankful for being women and the role God had created them for." (The Transformed Wife post: "Women Can Do Everything Men Can Do As Well or Better?")
If Ms. Alexander's apparent view of women's roles is unclear or difficult to understand, is it Biblical? Her presupposition is that her view aligns with Scripture. But what are Biblical gender roles? What is a woman's purpose and what is her value? In contrast to Alexander's thinking, Elizabeth Garn in her book, Freedom To Flourish writes:
Garn would argue that our purpose is more than a role. Women and men find their purpose primarily in their identity as image-bearers before vocations. So as image-bearers, they may find satisfaction in a particular job or family designation, but *purpose is in being made for and by God, representing His marvelous likeness. In the same book, she goes on: 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Guest Contributor mini-bio: Kat Andrich lives in Houston, Texas, and is an Orthodox Presbyterian Church member there. Her passion is helping people wherever she can and studying how the brain works. She is an advocate for trauma and abuse survivors.
Watch our YouTube Episode on this topic here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNa6OCQGkNA&ab_channel=Marissa
Related Resources: 
Subsequently, Lori Alexander, The Transformed Wife reposted Owen's statement with a link to an article about single and "barren" women. Linked here: https://www.facebook.com/100044565243793/posts/371869574308548/?d=n
This article will discuss the concept of a women's "role," specifically in the family, and how the thinking articulated by Owens and Alexander can impact women in the evangelical culture in which we live.
So, look at Owens' comment here, and remember that Owens is an influencer. Here, she has reduced women who have deliberately chosen lives of celibacy or have prioritized a vocational calling over marriage/ procreation to angry, bitter, maladapted sociopaths..."with very few exceptions."
I don't follow Owens, and based on this post, I have no intention of starting now. Her post is at best, click-bate and nothing we should take seriously, and at worst, gas thrown on the fire of the Christian patriarchy. The tone is attractive to those who favor a patriarchal view of marriage, family, church, and society. The view does not place value on women, rather too often objectifies us and relegates our role to housewifery and childbearing, subordinate to fathers and husbands, and sometimes, to men, generally, depending on the circle in which the woman may find herself.
I will back up for a moment to clarify; I believe marriage and procreation are honorable. Parenthood is a worthy vocation. Homemaking is a worthy calling. I have experience with all of the above and have, for years, sought to encourage women in these particular callings. I would never go back and change the path to which the Lord directed me, to stay home with my babies when they were little, and always hope that those with littles will recognize that these gifts to us grow up so quickly. Time just slides on by, so enjoy this time at home while you are able... But I recognize that my path is not necessarily indicative of what works for, or is "right" for everyone inside or outside of my social sphere.
The problem is not with the calling and not with the vocation. The problem is disparaging those whose path is different, and discouraging those who have been given the gift of singleness, due to never marrying, divorce or widowhood. The problem is denigrating those who have chosen to follow a vocational calling different than their own.
Listen to Joy Dudey, Gospel Gal contributor and co-host. She was deeply affected by Owens's statement/Alexander's repost. She writes: "A few days ago, I came across a statement from Candace Owens that I found triggering and hurtful. The statement was extreme. However, it did give me food for thought as I pondered the ways that evangelical culture and materials on “biblical womanhood” gave me the very subtle implication that I am somehow lacking as a member of Christ’s body. As a Christian single, I keep seeing two prevailing ideas that conflict with each other. (Disclaimer: These are generalizations based on my own observations/experiences): 'Be content in your singleness – if you want to be married and have a strong desire for it – take care and not let it consume your thoughts, lest you become idolatrous.' OR ' The highest calling for a Christian woman is to be a wife and mother – pursue those things"
In much of what I’ve witnessed on this subject, there is very little mention of God’s sovereignty and providence, and about our ultimate identity in Christ. Ultimately statements like Owens’ triggered feelings of inadequacy and being less than a complete person and valuable member of church and society. I am now 31 years old. I have not experienced motherhood and marriage as others have. There are times that I even think that there is something wrong with me. In my early 20s, I was very idealistic of what I thought a godly woman should be (much of it was influenced by reading books by Leslie Ludy and Elisabeth Elliot). I tried desperately to mold and shape my personality into what I thought would be attractive to other men. Coming to a Reformed understanding of the nature of justification and sanctification has been such a freeing process. However, statements like Owens’ triggers a deep hurt and anger for the ways I've been deceived in this area."
The problem is not with the calling and not with the vocation. The problem is disparaging those whose path is different, and discouraging those who have been given the gift of singleness, due to never marrying, divorce or widowhood. The problem is denigrating those who have chosen to follow a vocational calling different than their own.
Listen to Joy Dudey, Gospel Gal contributor and co-host. She was deeply affected by Owens's statement/Alexander's repost. She writes: "A few days ago, I came across a statement from Candace Owens that I found triggering and hurtful. The statement was extreme. However, it did give me food for thought as I pondered the ways that evangelical culture and materials on “biblical womanhood” gave me the very subtle implication that I am somehow lacking as a member of Christ’s body. As a Christian single, I keep seeing two prevailing ideas that conflict with each other. (Disclaimer: These are generalizations based on my own observations/experiences): 'Be content in your singleness – if you want to be married and have a strong desire for it – take care and not let it consume your thoughts, lest you become idolatrous.' OR ' The highest calling for a Christian woman is to be a wife and mother – pursue those things"
In much of what I’ve witnessed on this subject, there is very little mention of God’s sovereignty and providence, and about our ultimate identity in Christ. Ultimately statements like Owens’ triggered feelings of inadequacy and being less than a complete person and valuable member of church and society. I am now 31 years old. I have not experienced motherhood and marriage as others have. There are times that I even think that there is something wrong with me. In my early 20s, I was very idealistic of what I thought a godly woman should be (much of it was influenced by reading books by Leslie Ludy and Elisabeth Elliot). I tried desperately to mold and shape my personality into what I thought would be attractive to other men. Coming to a Reformed understanding of the nature of justification and sanctification has been such a freeing process. However, statements like Owens’ triggers a deep hurt and anger for the ways I've been deceived in this area."
To engage the problems with Owens' and Alexander's thinking on the topic of women's roles. I'll identify some of the underlying assumptions in patriarchal thinking, specifically evidenced in Ms. Alexander's writing:
Alexander states:
"From Creation, the woman was created to be her husband’s help meet. After the Fall, we are told that Eve’s “desire shall be to they husband, and he shall rule over thee” (Genesis 3:16). Due to sin, the woman will desire to control her husband, but the husband is to be in authority over her. Without an authority structure, chaos reigns," in her blog article, "A Reminder of Your God-Ordained Role, Women".
No other alternative is given. Gleaning from Alexander's words here, it seems her assumption goes like this: the Bible never clarifies that a female was ordained by God to be or do anything else. She seems to suggest that being a wife/mother is a woman's only legitimate calling. In another post she states: "...it’s transferring one woman from her father to her husband, but this is for her protection! Women are the weaker vessel, and God set it up for women to be protected by men." (The Transformed Wife post: "Marriage Hinders Women from Reaching Their Full Potenial?") And in an earlier post, she remarks, "Women used to know the value of being at home raising children. They knew the value of marriage. They had no desire to get involved in politics or be in the police force or military. They were thankful for being women and the role God had created them for." (The Transformed Wife post: "Women Can Do Everything Men Can Do As Well or Better?")
If Ms. Alexander's apparent view of women's roles is unclear or difficult to understand, is it Biblical? Her presupposition is that her view aligns with Scripture. But what are Biblical gender roles? What is a woman's purpose and what is her value? In contrast to Alexander's thinking, Elizabeth Garn in her book, Freedom To Flourish writes:
Garn's perspective is helpful as we contemplate the idea of role and identity within the societal roles defined by individuals in the visible church and society. As in all things, God has the last word. Has He declared that men and women, as His image-bearers are different? Yes. (Genesis 1:27) Has he defined their personhood by some particular function or vocation? No.
Our whole identity is wrapped up in God's work outside of us, first in His creation of us as image-bearers, then due to the work of Jesus, our Savior, Mediator, and Redeemer, we are the "children of God" (I John 3:1), identified "in Christ" (Ephesians 2:10), "beloved" (Romans 9:25), "saints" (Ephesians 2:19), etc. Before God, we are more than what we do. We are who He has created us to be, and *then we serve in the various vocations that benefit the world around us in His common grace. (References here: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gen+1%3A27%3B+I+John+3%3A1%3B+Ephesians+2%3A10%3B+Romans+9%3A25%3B+Ephesians+2%3A19&version=CSB )
So, Dear Joy, Take heart, Beloved, and to others who may have been duped by the patriarchal ideas of The Transformed Wife and others like her: You are not alone. And you are more than your marital status. And whatever state or vocation in which you find yourself, remember that it is God Who has directed you to the place in which you now stand and serve. Gene Veith has wisely stated, "
We are saved only by grace through faith in the work of Jesus Christ. But then we are sent back into our callings to live out that faith. God does not need our good works, Luther said, thinking of elaborate efforts to merit salvation apart from the free gift of Christ, but our neighbor does need our good works. Our faith bears fruit in love (Gal. 5:6; 1 Tim. 1:5), and this happens in our families, our work, our communities, and our congregations." (Source: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/how-vocation-transformed-society ) Remember what we've learned regarding the providence of God. His "sovereignty is never divorced from His kindness." It is His kindness that has determined your station and calling. May He be glorified as you fill His calling and vocation for your life and may you find joy in the place to which He has called you, always.
So, Dear Joy, Take heart, Beloved, and to others who may have been duped by the patriarchal ideas of The Transformed Wife and others like her: You are not alone. And you are more than your marital status. And whatever state or vocation in which you find yourself, remember that it is God Who has directed you to the place in which you now stand and serve. Gene Veith has wisely stated, "
We are saved only by grace through faith in the work of Jesus Christ. But then we are sent back into our callings to live out that faith. God does not need our good works, Luther said, thinking of elaborate efforts to merit salvation apart from the free gift of Christ, but our neighbor does need our good works. Our faith bears fruit in love (Gal. 5:6; 1 Tim. 1:5), and this happens in our families, our work, our communities, and our congregations." (Source: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/how-vocation-transformed-society ) Remember what we've learned regarding the providence of God. His "sovereignty is never divorced from His kindness." It is His kindness that has determined your station and calling. May He be glorified as you fill His calling and vocation for your life and may you find joy in the place to which He has called you, always.
If you have a question you'd like to ask the Gospel Gal MamaBears, write me via private message at https://www.facebook.com/MarissaNMark/ .
Watch our YouTube Episode on this topic here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNa6OCQGkNA&ab_channel=Marissa
1. Freedom to Flourish: The Rest God Offers in the Purpose He Gives You (Elizabeth Garn): https://www.amazon.com/Freedom-Flourish-Offers-Purpose-Gives/dp/1629956082
2. God at Work (Redesign): Your Christian Vocation in All of Life (Gene Veith): https://www.amazon.com/God-Work-Redesign-Christian-Vocation/dp/1433524473
3. Theology Gals: Podcast episodes on Patriarchy: http://theologygals.com/tag/patriarchy/
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