Voices on the True Woman Movement—Part 2

We’ll continue today with another look at Chapter 1 by John Piper entitled, “The ultimate meaning of true womanhood.” Piper defines true womanhood as:

. . . a distinctive calling of God to display the glory of His Son in ways that would not be displayed if there were no womanhood. (p. 21)

Both men and women are made in God’s image (Genesis 1:2–27) and therefore are equal before Christ (Galatians 3:28), but we display that image uniquely as women. One of my favorite examples is the ability of women to nurture in a way that men do not. That’s not to say that men can’t be nurturing, as I have seen this displayed by my husband toward our daughter. However, women display this characteristic of God more fully.

There is no doubt from Scripture that one of God’s characteristics is the ability to nurture. Many times metaphors are used to describe this such as a hen gathering chicks under her wings (Matthew 23:37) and the relationship between a shepherd and his sheep (John 10). If you are a mom, think about the many times when your children have been sick or injured and how you cared for them. Think about the many times you have compassion on those around you that are hurting and nurture them by taking the time to talk and share or show hospitality by providing food or a place to stay.

In our secular society, and even in our churches (in the form of evangelical feminism), there is a desire to eliminate all differences between men and women. Many have come to believe that differences in how we display God’s image and our roles in the home and church infer a certain inferiority of women. The Bible makes it clear that men and women have different roles in the home and church and that we display God’s image uniquely as men and women, however, we all have equal value before God. Consider Piper’s closing thoughts:

God has created man as male and female because there are aspects of Christ’s glory which would not be known if they were not reflected in the complementary differences of manhood and womanhood. Therefore, true womanhood is a distinctive calling of God to display the glory of His Son in ways that would not be displayed if there were no womanhood. (p. 24)

May we as men and women embrace our distinctiveness, and do so to the glory of God.