Journal: Eikon
Volume: EIKON 06:2 (Fall 2024)
Article: A Forum On Natural And Complementary Differences
Author: David Haines

Eikon 6.2 (Fall 2024) p. 72

A Forum
On Natural And Complementary Differences

David Haines

R. Albert Mohler, Jr.

Doug Ponder

Miles Smith

E. Erik Thoennes

Eikon 6.2 (Fall 2024) p. 73

David Haines
On Natural And Complementary Differences: A Forum

David Haines is Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Theology at Bethlehem College & Seminary, Minneapolis, MN.

Perhaps I may begin by noting that, for the sake of this forum, I am taking for granted that there are natures or essences which are instantiated in individuals, and when I refer to something which is “natural” or “by nature,” I am referring to that which, all things being equal, is found in every individual of a species, because of their “nature” or “essence” (i.e., human, feline, canine), regardless of environmental factors. “Environmental factors” may be taken to refer to anything which influences the individual in question, ranging from the geographical and meteorological elements of some physical location (compare the way humans who live in Canada do things differently from those who live in Arizona), to the socio-cultural, historical, political, and religious influences on an individual, their actions, desires, and so on. These terms have sometimes been referred to as “nature” and “nurture.” The former (“that which is by nature”) is often taken to be referring, in general, to the “sex” of the individual, which is determined by the genotypical and phenotypical characteristics of the whole individual human being. The latter, (“environmental factors”) are usually what is signified by the terms “gender,” “masculine,” “feminine,” and so on. Discussions on these subjects are often muddied when we point to socio-culturally bound signifiers of “masculinity” or “femininity” as if they were “natural differences.”

Q. What Is Scripture’s Basic Teaching On The Natural Differences Between Men And Women?

A: There are a variety of opinions on what the Scriptures teach concerning the natural differences between men and women. In my humble opinion, the Scriptures (Gen 1–2; Matt 19) teach that the primary, perhaps

Eikon 6.2 (Fall 2024) p. 74

the only, natural differences between men and women are related to the role they play in human reproductive activities. The woman and the man, equally made in the image of God, are together ordained to govern creation and to reproduce (Gen 1:26–28). Human reproductive activities include not only sexual...