Men, Women, and Difference
Physical differences vs. social constructs
A thoughtful reader, Trey McNabb, left a comment on my previous post that made me keep thinking about something I already couldn’t shake: the tension between physical, biological differences between the sexes versus the social construction of gender, and how Christianity integrates this tension in better and worse ways.
My previous post focused on Zachary Wagner’s recent book, Men of Virtue. I argued that the book has a great argument for degendering the pursuit of Christ-likeness but then succumbs to gendering the fruits of the spirit. It suggests that men experience and pursue virtue in a specifically male-embodied way, which in turn can collapse into gender essentialism, roles, and hierarchy.
McNabb asked simply, “So are you saying physical differences don’t matter at all?”
I kinda did, but the truth, I must admit, is that physical differences do matter within my preferred framework. My male gender is socially constructed differently than a woman’s because of my physicality.
People more readily perceive me as a threat because I’m a man. They may be quick to perceive me as domineering, not assertive. They assume I’m not good with babies and kids. They think it’s weird, even a little suspicious, if I volunteer to work with young kids at church.
On the positive side, I feel called to put my safety and comfort on the line if anyone’s safety or comfort must be jeopardized. I don’t just mean hypothetical home invasions. I mean carrying heavy stuff, cleaning nasty things, stepping on spiders, and so on.
Those are just a few examples off the top of my head of how my male embodiment shapes my gender construction and expression.
Where I think Wagner and others go too far, however, is viewing physical differences as producing innate distinctions. Such views can be distorted too easily into gendered Christianity and the subjugation of women.
While physicality matters, I still believe we must resist essentializing physical differences into any theology that subjugates women. Men aren’t God-ordained leaders, and women aren’t God-commanded to submit to men.
Yes, I agree we must be very wary of any excuse to subordinate women. I think of what my former denomination, the Southern Baptist Convention, has recently done as far as making a formal rule to disassociate with any church that has women in leadership roles over men. Some women are gifted leaders. I appreciate your willingness to address questions. God bless you.