Genesis Quote by John E. Goldingay
““Genesis supplements “created in God’s image” with the affirmation that God thus made humanity “male and female.” Women and men together comprise this image. The statement is an extraordinary one in this opening chapter of Genesis, written in a patriarchal culture. One might wonder whether the author of Genesis saw the implications of this declaration. Certainly generation after generation of Christians have not seen it. We have often talked and behaved as if the male was the normal and full form of a human being, with the female a deviant and slightly inferior form. But both male and female belong to the image. You have the image of God represented in humanity only when you have both men and women there. When women are not present and involved in God’s work in the world (and in the church), the image of God is not present.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Genesis Commentary by John E. Goldingay, 2005
The passage stresses that both genders together reflect the divine image, so excluding women diminishes the fullness of humanity.
In simple terms: Both sexes together show God’s image; missing women means missing part of that image.
Key Takeaway
Include women fully in all spheres.
Themes
equality
theology
gender
creation
community
Mood
reflective
hopeful
Type
theological
inspirational
When to use this quote
- church leadership
- family decision‑making
- social policy
- educational curricula
Key Concepts
Imago Dei
co‑creation
complementarity
Questions to Reflect On
- How does recognizing both genders as image‑bearers change your community?
- What barriers keep women from full participation?
A Different Perspective
May overlook cultural context that historically limited women's roles.
