Some Guiding Understandings Emerging In dealing with this issue, we must continually seek to understand more fully the total scope of biblical teaching regarding women and men functioning interdependently in the church under the lordship of Christ. We suggest eight principles to be kept in mind in our search. Scripture is inspired and is to be personally appropriated. We believe that the Holy Spirit speaks through the Scriptures to believers but that our understandings do involve interpretation. Open examination of Scripture, including cultural contexts during which it was shaped, assists the serious seeker to expect and be ready to accept insights not noticed before.
Scripture affirms the uniqueness of maleness and femaleness, viewing both with equal value.
The uniqueness of each contributes to the enrichment of the other. We need to view each other as persons first, remembering that we have value because of who we are as children of God rather than because of the functions we perform as women or men. Social relationships and cultural values tend to move us to value each other on the basis of our roles and work. The body of Christ is corporate, each person without special privilege or priority, each personally accountable to our one Lord. Responsible care for each other is the meaning of mutual submission and of corporate dominion.