I believe that when you look at the evidence objectively, not swayed by the fire-and-brimstone fundamentalists on the one side, or the late night satirical comics on the other, there is a lot of scientific support for Creationism / Intelligent Design and not nearly as much as assumed for evolutionary theory.  That being said, I do wonder what theological conclusions can clearly be drawn from the first three chapters of Genesis, and which ones are conjecture.  At one end of the spectrum, there are the theological ideas that are repeated again and again in Scripture, and believers have held for centuries:  For example, ever since Adam and Eve rebelled, that fallen nature- original sin- has been part of the human race is a doctrine reiterated by Jesus, Paul, and the Apostle’s and Nicene Creeds. 

On the other dubious extreme, I once read an article about a community of Christian nudists who believe that, since clothes came after the fall, and Christians are no longer ‘under the curse’ clothing was no longer needed or even a particularly good thing.  There’s a whole array of Genesis-based theology in between.

One portion of the creation story that has spawned a huge variety of doctrines is when it tells us that Eve was created to be Adam’s helpmate.  Before God made woman, apparently He paraded all the animals in front of Adam, but none were a fit mate for him.  YA THINK!  Did an all knowing God really think Adam would settle for a rhinoceros or a pigeon, for example, instead of holding out for a beautiful naked woman?  That aside, what does it mean when God called Eve Adam’s helpmate?  Was it an arrangement specifically for just that couple?  Was it a tendency that would work for most couples, but not a biblical absolute?  Or is it the model that all marriages are to be based upon? 

It’s important to note that the Bible is full of strong, independent women.  Mary, Sarah, Esther, and Elizabeth, for example, all showed much more confidence in God than their husbands did.  Deborah was a Judge of Israel, and an excellent one at that.  Just the fact that there are two Bible books named for heroines makes the Old Testament radically feminist for its era. 

So, we can conclude that ‘helpmate’ is not synonymous for doormat, sex kitten or maid.  And it is with this in mind that I state that I am married to a wonderfully strong, faithful, hard working helpmate.  This weekend she repaired three very different types of props that were showing wear.  And she did this with odds and ends of materials lying around the house.  Sue is not one to get in front of an audience, but I couldn’t do my ministry without all she does behind the scenes.  But, she’s every bit as competent in her roles as adult educator, mother, mentor, and unpaid ‘counselor’ to countless less confident women, to name just a few. 

But she’s more than the sum of her roles.  She’s my best friend, by confidante, and she is prettier now than when we first got married 26 years ago this month.  Often, I look across the living room and see her snuggled in a blanket reading a book with her beautiful long hair flowing over her shoulder, and I can’t believe how blessed I am.  I’m glad Adam didn’t settle for a rhino!