God, Gender, and a Fallen World

Puzzles have always attracted me. Because of that, the question of the relationship of men and women in the Kingdom of God has befuddled and held me hostage for some time. The Scriptures seem very contradictory. How could they all be true? How could God in one place say that the women must be silent in church and in another place speak through a women prophetess? How could He say that “in Christ” there is neither male nor female, and then say that wives must submit themselves to their husbands “in the Lord”? If there is neither male nor female “in Christ” why would the same author say that wives should submit to their husbands “in the Lord”? Why would a woman be encouraged to learn but discouraged to teach or have authority over a man?1 It sure sounded to me like God intended a difference, so how could He say there was no difference in Christ? I believe, as Einstein did, that "Subtle is the Lord, but malicious he is not." He does not try to confuse us and then laugh at our confusion. But His truths are not always clear and easy. Behind these seemingly incongruous texts, my theology of Scripture now says, there must be some way they fit together like puzzle pieces and make a picture. So for years I struggled to find a solution to that puzzle. Since I now believe in the inspiration and entire trustworthiness of the Scriptures, properly interpreted, there must be some way to make these pieces fit together to make a picture. This book is the picture I have discovered.