So, to set the record straight on what the Bible says about gender, we're going to study it as fully as possible. We've talked a little about the difference in roles in marriage and the church, but here I want to establish the final ruling on all it says on men and women here.

First, men and women are spiritually equal in the Bible. People say that women are more spiritually wise or that men are less likely to be deceived spiritually, but that is not biblical. First he Bible says that salvation and the rewards are the same whether a person is a man or a woman, and men and women are both seen serving God in the Bible. While women today are not preachers, in the past they have been prophetesses.

Galatians 3:28 - There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

Exodus 15:20 - And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.

Luke 2:36 - And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;

Also, heaven shall be the same for men and women. The greatest thing that creates a difference (and sets up the heavily criticized "wife submits to husband" system) will be completely abolished.

Matthew 22:30 - For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.

Despite being spiritually the same though, men and women are physically different. This difference is one of the only places God calls for them to act differently. For example, the Bible says men and women should look different in dress.

Deuteronomy 22:5 - The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so [are] abomination unto the LORD thy God.

This is a physical difference, and considering men and women's main differences are physical, this makes sense.

Many critics of Christianity accuse it of being sexist and degrading towards both men and women. Readers of the Bible will find this is cherry picking though. The Bible does give specific jobs to men and women in the home and church, the first because of physical difference and the second is duel punishment for sin and honor to Adam being made first. Even in these areas though, there is to be mutual respect and honor. BOTH men and women are called to have one spouse. BOTH men and women are to be faithful. BOTH men and women are to respect each other and fulfill each other's needs.

1 Corinthians 11:11 - Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord. For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.

Without men, there are no women and without women there are no men! All of us are God's.

The Bible also supports women working outside the home, even when married, as well as the idea that women can choose their own spouses, with God as their main guide as oppose to their parents. The role model Proverbs Thirty-One woman owns private property and is physically strong.

1 Corinthians 7:39 - The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.

Ephesians 5:33 - Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife [see] that she reverence [her] husband.

Proverbs 31:16-17 - She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

Proverbs 31:24 - She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

What is a good man? A good man in the Bible is slow to wrath and does not provoke his children. He is kind and gentle like our God, yet firm when needed to be. Everything done in love.

Ephesians 6:4 - And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

In Christianity, we need to be looking for unity. We should not have women or men under the total subjection of the other, but submit to each other in love as the Bible commands. Also, though, we ought not to compete in petty contest over whether men or women are smarter or stronger. God loves us both equally, and looks at us as individuals as opposed to tools that are merely distinguished by gender. Certainly, gender plays a part, as seen in home and church, but mostly is only of concern in physical activities, most of which are not even mentioned in the Bible. What God requires of men spiritually, He requires of women and vise versa. Rather than tear each other down, let us look for opportunities to build each other as brothers and sisters in the Lord.

Ephesians 5:21 - Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

Philippians 2:2 - Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, [being] of one accord, of one mind.

Proverbs 20:3 - [It is] an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.