Authority Quote by John E. Goldingay
““It is as creatures made jointly in God’s image that women and men together have the task of mastering the earth. In Genesis 1 there is a structure of authority. God is the ultimate authority. God then delegates authority over creation to humanity, and women and men together are the means of exercising it. There is no suggestion in the creation stories that God designed the world to be a place where any human beings exercised authority over any others. There was no authority to be exercised by men over women, or husbands over wives;””
About This Quote
Source Book: Genesis Commentary, John E. Goldingay, 2015
The passage argues that God created men and women equally, sharing authority over creation, and that hierarchical domination between genders is not part of the divine design.
In simple terms: Men and women share God‑given authority over the earth.
Key Takeaway
Treat authority as shared stewardship.
Themes
equality
stewardship
theology
gender roles
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
theological
ethical
When to use this quote
- marriage counseling
- faith‑based leadership training
- interfaith dialogue
- community building
Key Concepts
Divine authority
creation narrative
shared responsibility
Questions to Reflect On
- How can shared stewardship be practiced in modern households?
- What challenges arise when redefining traditional gender authority?
A Different Perspective
Some interpret Genesis as supporting patriarchal structures, which can conflict with this view.
![“The rationale which accompanies that imposition of male authority euphemistically referred to as 'the battle of the sexes' bears a certain resemblance to the formulas of nations at war, where any heinousness is justified on the grounds that the enemy is either an inferior [part of the] species or…” quote by Kate Millett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/895/kate-millett-7301_accompany_the-rationale-which-accompanies-that-imp_8896.jpg)