Are man and women equal before God?

Question

Sun Myung Moon · Accepted Answer

The question of male and female equality before God is paramount for understanding human dignity and relationships, especially as it pertains to marriage and the unfolding of individual and collective potential. The Divine Principle offers vital clarification on biblical passages often misinterpreted to diminish women's status, providing a framework to harmonize seemingly contradictory scriptural accounts. This integrated perspective reveals God's original intention for humanity and exposes the tragic deviation caused by the Fall. The Biblical Foundation The Holy Bible presents a rich, though at times seemingly complex, view on the relationship between male and female. The foundational passage in Genesis unequivocally states God’s initial design: "So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them" (Genesis 1:27). This verse immediately establishes a core principle: both male and female are created in the image of God, implying an inherent and equal spiritual dignity and worth. This is further supported by God's declaration that His creation was "very good" (Genesis 1:31), indicating His satisfaction with humanity in its dual-gendered form. However, subsequent biblical narratives introduce complexities that have historically led to patriarchal interpretations. After the Fall, as recorded in Genesis 3, God outlines the consequences of disobedience, stating to the woman, "Your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you" (Genesis 3:16). This verse, often cited to justify male dominance, stands in stark contrast to the initial creation account. Further, passages in the New Testament, such as "Wives, submit to your own husbands… For the husband is head of the wife" (Ephesians 5:22-23), and "I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man" (1 Timothy 2:12), have been misinterpreted as theological mandates for female subordination. The Divine Principle explains that these are not God's commands for an ideal world, but rather are contextual instructions for managing a fallen reality or direct consequences of the Fall. Yet, other passages emphasize unity and mutual respect, as seen in Galatians 3:28: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus." This verse points toward a spiritual equality that transcends societal distinctions, highlighting the tension between ideal and reality within the biblical narrative. Divine Principle's Clarification The Divine Principle provides a profound clarification, asserting that God's original ideal for creation was absolute equality and harmonious partnership between man and woman. It explains that God, as the Origin, possesses dual characteristics of internal character and external form, and that He imbued humanity with these same fundamental attributes. Man embodies the outward, masculine aspect, while woman embodies the inward, feminine aspect; both are equally essential expressions of God's nature. Therefore, in their original state, man and woman were designed to complement each other as co-equal partners, reflecting God's perfect nature. The family itself is the basic unit through which God works, and the Messiah's mission is to recover the beloved community in which we can all live as one family under God (Genesis 6:6, Luke 17:26). The Principle unequivocally states that the phrase "he shall rule over you" (Genesis 3:16) and subsequent patriarchal structures are direct consequences of the Fall, not God's original blessing or intention. The Fall introduced self-centeredness and a breakdown of true love, distorting the intended relationship of reciprocal give and take into one of domination and subjugation. The Principle explains that the Fall was an illicit love relationship that severed Adam and Eve's connection to God. This failure to establish a God-centered lineage resulted in a world where gender hierarchy became a pervasive sorrow rather than a divine design. This original sin was then multiplied when Cain murdered Abel, solidifying a history of conflict. Thus, the hierarchical dynamics observed post-Eden throughout history, and reflected in certain biblical passages, are a tragic result of humanity’s separation from God's ideal, not an affirmation of it. The mission of the Messiah is to restore the original, God-centered lineage and free humankind from the root of sin that began with the Fall and was compounded by the first murder. Understanding the Deeper Meaning When illuminated by the Divine Principle, the biblical accounts reveal a consistent trajectory toward restoration. God’s original creative act established inherent equality. The Fall introduced imbalance and hierarchy. The purpose of salvation history, culminating in Christ, is to restore humanity to its original, unfallen state of true love and perfect unity with God and each other. This restoration necessarily implies the re-estab

Are man and women equal before God?

The Biblical Foundation

Divine Principle's Clarification

Understanding the Deeper Meaning

Living the Principle

Sources and further reading