The Journey Back to Eden: Restoring the Creator's Design for Women and Men (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

An accessible call to shift the way we view the role of men and women, based on a high view of Scripture, reexamining the way we interpret what is normative for all time to see how the Spirit is pointing the church to complete gender equality and freedom for women to pursue their calling before God.

From the Back Cover

It can be difficult raising Christian daughters today in an environment that can be socially and spiritually toxic. Even the evangelical church can sometimes send negative messages not giving women an equal voice, not inviting them into decision-making circles, and not having many visible leadership roles. As a consequence, some Christian women, especially younger ones, have felt somewhat demeaned and diminished. Yet we don’t want them to turn their backs on Christianity or set up unnecessary roadblocks to faith.

How can we remain faithful to the truthfulness of Scripture and at the same time affirm the equality of women? This book shows how the real issue between those who hold a complementarian view and an egalitarian view is not with biblical infallibility. The real issue is biblical interpretation. The canon of Scripture is complete but our understanding continues to develop. Therefore this book sets out to accomplish three tasks. 1. A clarifying task: Correct misunderstandings of normative biblical statements on gender. 2. A restrictive task: Demonstrate that certain texts which have traditionally been regarded as normative for all time were in fact applicable only to the unique situations originally addressed. 3. A discerning task: Discern the overall direction the Holy Spirit is taking the church as he unfolds God’s will in a progressive way. Just as the biblical teaching on slavery contained seeds pointing to the eventual liberation of slaves, so the biblical teaching on women points us toward the ideal of gender mutuality in every sense, freedom for women to pursue their calling before God.

The author graciously acknowledges there may be parts of the world not ready to embrace the truth of women’s complete liberation in Christ. So there’s room for temporary compromises. Likewise the author acknowledges it is acceptable for a husband and wife to decide to maintain their home and marriage according to the pattern of male priority and leadership. Yet he counsels that the decision should be a mutual one and not a binding one that sees this as the only pattern commanded by Scripture.

The book includes the following distinctives as it traces the trajectory of the Spirit through Scripture: 1. It proposes a progressive rather than static hermeneutic (approach to interpreting Scripture). 2. It shows an alternative version by using narrative forms with stories and examples along the way. 3. It’s written in an accessible way open to the average reader. 4. It adheres to a high evangelical view of Scripture’s trustworthiness.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (October 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310259908
• ISBN-13: 978-0310259909
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,089,223 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth a Look, May 30, 2006

By	T. C. Porter (San Diego) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I recommend this book. It is culturally relevant and sensitive to truth. The author is innovative yet grounded in dialogue with past and present scholars. Many Christians (and others) have adopted a stance on gender issues without really articulating their own posture. Here a person will find fresh ideas. The book will create tension for one who opposes the viewpoints espoused by the author; however, in considering such perspectives an individual is better prepared for debate, if not a change in outlook. The author outlines several compelling cases for gender equality, frequently using concepts (such as trajectory of the spirit) that have eluded the mainstream. Given that young couples and unmarried individuals often view the gender code through a lens muddled by dogma or a few, partially-explored scriptures (i.e. Ephesians 5:22-33), this insightful exhibit should be added to the public discussion.

5.0 out of 5 stars Appreciation, September 4, 2006

By	Student for Life (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews

I truly appreciate Dr. Scorgies book sharing God's desire for men and women and how we need to reinstate that in our world. I belong to a denomiation that view women as equals and are permited to be Ordained as an Elder and be a Senior Pastor of a church.