GENDER, ONTOLOGY, AND IMAGO DEI

There is an order apparent in Genesis 2, by which I mean that humans were created at least sequentially. Some seem to take this order as ontological. Others seem to take it as logical. Which is it?

Initial thoughts:

• Genesis 1:26-28 speaks to human ontology. Humanity, individually and corporately, was created in the image of God. Humanity was also created with sexual differentiation. Sexual differentiation is not part of the image of God, for God does not have sexual differentiation.
  
• Genesis 2:18-25 speaks to temporal sequence (logical). The purpose of humanity's sequential creation appears to be a magnification of the necessity of relationship--an inherent need for the other--beyond the biological imperative of procreation. This is seen in the explicit connection between human work (2:18-21) and the need for another like the human (2:21-25).
  

Questions

• If I am correct in my interpretation, how does this relate to Paul's use of these passages in his male-female and husband-wife discussions?
• How does this relate to the relationship among the persons of the Trinity, especially with regard to the so-called eternal generation of the Son and eternal procession of the Spirit? Further, on these two issues--eternal generation and eternal procession--what is the biblical support and does it pass muster?

Source of thought fodder: Theology for beginners (12): Humans

Tag(s): theological anthropology men and women in ministry biblical equality complementarianism

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