Danvers Complementarianism: Order of Creation
The man is created first in the Old Testament, and possesses what the New Testament will call headship over his wife . . . It is dependent on God’s making of the sexes: Ἀδὰμ γὰρ πρῶτος ἐπλάσθη εἶτα Εὕα–“for Adam was formed first, then Eve,” Ἀδὰμ being the first word in the Greek text of 1 Timothy 2:13. Men preach in the church, Paul teaches, because Adam was made first, and Adam was not deceived by the serpent (1 Tim. 2:14).1
Second, the text does not say that women are prohibited because they are more gullible. The reason for the prohibition is in verse 13: “For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve” (1 Tim. 2:13). Paul grounds his prohibition in the order of creation. The role of leader in the first marriage was Adam’s. His leadership was established in part on the basis that God created him first (a principle of primogeniture). The order of creation establishes male headship (cf. 1 Cor. 11:3; Eph. 5:23), and a woman teaching and exercising authority overturns this order (which is the primary point of Strachan’s essay and which he is right about).2
One of the primary arguments, posited by Danvers Complementarians, for male authority has been the order of creation. While acknowledging some scriptural basis for this view, it is not satisfying rationally. Moreover, Scriptures clearly demonstrates that hierarchy occurred after the Fall. “He will rule over you” Genesis 3:16b incontrovertibly implies that Adam had not hitherto done so. Moreover, where there is no sin, and therefore no consequent alienation and division of mind and heart, hierarchy is practicably moot.
and He declared to her: “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.”
– Genesis 25:23 (Cf. Romans 9:11–12)
However, God does not appear to be as beholden to logical or chronological order as made evident in the anecdote concerning Esau and Jacob. Moreover, the second (deuteras) covenant is deemed superior to the first (prōtē) – Hebrews 8:7.
To be sure, the first of each pairing was found to have serious flaw, although not necessarily in itself. “Esau, [] for a single meal sold his birthright” (Hebrews 12:16). This brings us back to Eden.
That servant who knows his master’s will but does not get ready or follow his instructions will be beaten with many blows. But the one who unknowingly does things worthy of punishment will be beaten with few blows.
– Luke 12:47–48a
For if “it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman who was deceived” (1 Timothy 2:14), then surely Adam is at greater fault in perpetrating the same transgression. Like Esau, it could reasonably grant Eve the birthright of authority, that is if God was so beholden to logical and chronological order.
No. While hierarchy has a role, as does equality, under Structural Oneness, the principle of primogeniture is an insufficient rationale.
Owen Strachan, “Divine Order in a Chaotic Age: On Women Preaching,” Thought Life (Patheos), May 7, 2019, https://www.patheos.com/blogs/thoughtlife/2019/05/divine-order-in-a-chaotic-age-on-women-preaching.
Denny Burk, “Should churches allow women to preach to men?” Denny Burk, May 8, 2019, https://www.dennyburk.com/should-churches-allow-women-to-preach-to-men.