Male and Female - Emmetsburg Newspaper Article 4/22/21

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 “From the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’” According to God’s ordering, He formed Adam from the dust of the earth and Eve from Adam’s side. For all the generations which have followed, God created us according to this same beautiful pattern: man and woman, husband and wife, male and female, XY and XX. The differences between men and women God has established in nature; differences in genetics, physiology, abilities, vocations, and personalities.

Men and women, while similar in many respects (and equal in regards to salvation and value), are not the same. God designed the sexes to be unequal to each other in order that they may complement one another. The differences between the two is what gives each their strength. The fact that men are to be men and that women are to be women is what gives our lives such vibrancy and vigor.

One very significant aspect of this is that only men can be husbands and fathers, and only women can be their wives and be mothers to their children. This simple, yet vital, pattern was set by God through Adam and Eve, through whom we all are their children. This vital pattern was made manifest in Christ Jesus our Lord. Jesus is the Groom, and the church is Christ’s bride. Jesus, the groom, laid down His life for His bride. The Church, the bride of Christ, is made holy and saved by the sacrificial death of her Groom.

This is the natural and holy ordering of this world, and it is good. Through this ordering of men and women, God blesses our world to be fruitful and joyful. Through this ordering of men and women, God the Father sent forth His Son Jesus to be born of His mother Mary, so that we, the bride of Christ, would be saved by the death of Christ our Groom.

In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,

Rev. John H. Koopman

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