Gender matters: A biblical-theological hermeneutical and conceptual framework

Abstract

This article proposes a reconsideration of the contemporary conceptualisation of gender and gender roles prevalent within the church. It argues that a biblical-theological framework, namely the realisation of God’s eternal creation purposes in Christ, provides the proper hermeneutical and conceptual framework for a biblical understanding of gender and the roles of men and women. This thesis is demonstrated in two ways: (1) the hermeneutical framework operative within Scripture is examined to formulate a properly biblical hermeneutic regarding gender questions; and (2) by relating a biblical conceptual framework regarding these matters.
Contribution: The article argues that a biblical-theological framework provides the contemporary church with biblically based hermeneutical and conceptual tools for faithfully discerning and applying biblical teaching concerning gender matters.