Biblical Headship
Biblical Headship
What do we make of Adam (man) being first and how does that shape our view of masculinity?
Creation order communicates relationship, not value
It is not to communicate that man is superior to woman, but it does communicate there is a purpose and design to the order of Adam and Eve. God creating the man before the woman “is not instituting a value structure, but a relational structure” (Cunningham).
For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Ephesians 5:23
“Headship” is another unique design for masculinity that has been maligned by our culture, again, because of those who have abused it. We need to recover its true form and show the world the beauty of God’s design for biblical headship.
Not himself, but his wife
“What headship means is that when a man gets married, he is no longer the head of himself, serving his own wants and needs thinking, concerned only about what he desires. Instead, his vows mark this sacred moment where he is now the head of his wife till death do them part. His concern, his obsession, his daily fixation is not himself but his wife.” – Robert Cunningham
Listen to this next episode from The Mighty Meekness of Masculinity series to learn more about God’s design for biblical, male headship.
Episode: The Mighty Meekness of Masculinity: Part 5 - Biblical Headship
Listen on Spotify | Listen on Apple Podcasts
Reflection
- How have you abdicated your role as the head? How have you abused your role as the head?
- Consider the weight this responsibility truly is. How are you preparing and equipping yourself for this responsibility?
- Think of a time when you gave up one of your deepest desires in order to lift up your wife.
For further study on this topic, read How to Lead Your Family by Joel Beeke. Copies are available for free in the office library and for purchase at Reformation Heritage Books.