The whole society is not often addressed directly. The message of Scripture is intended especially for the Church. This policy statement seeks to look to the total witness of the Bible as a sound theological base. The foundation for the partnership of women and men in God's creation appears in the opening chapter of Genesis. Creation in God's image includes identity as male or female.
Sexuality is recognized.
Neither male headship nor female submission is suggested. Together, without distinction, the first couple was assigned responsibility to manage the earth as partners in stewardship. When the creation story is told again in Genesis 2, the equal partnership of man and woman appears again. Their relation as equal partners was scarred by sin. The image of God was distorted.