The Glory of Man

by Peter J. Leithart

In The Glory of Man, Peter J. Leithart responds to the sexual confusion of our age by developing an exegetical, biblical theology of the sexes that insists on sexual difference, hierarchy, and reconciliation as symbols of God's purposes to sum and unite all things in Christ.

In this Explorations volume, Leithart examines the creation of the Woman in Genesis 2, showing how ancient Greek philosophers misunderstood the categories of male and female when compared to the ways in which the Bible portrays a humanity, creation, and sacrifice ordered by male and female symbols.

The Theopolis Explorations Series builds on the four volumes of the Theopolis Fundamentals Series. Each Explorations volume brings the Theopolitan vision to bear on a particular biblical, liturgical, cultural, or missional topic.

Theopolis Explorations are well-researched but not academic, elegantly but not popularly written, thorough but not exhaustive.

The authors do not claim to speak the final word on the issues they examine, but aspire to offer a helpful word to strengthen and embolden the church as she carries on the mission of King Jesus in today’s world.

For more information about Theopolis, visit our web site, TheopolisInstitute.com.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Peter J. Leithart is President of the Theopolis Institute (theopolisinstitute.com), a Christian study center and leadership training institute in Birmingham, Alabama.

Genres: Sexuality, Theology

140 pages, Paperback

Published August 26, 2024

About the author

Peter Leithart received an A.B. in English and History from Hillsdale College in 1981, and a Master of Arts in Religion and a Master of Theology from Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia in 1986 and 1987. In 1998 he received his Ph.D. at the University of Cambridge in England. He has served in two pastorates: He was pastor of Reformed Heritage Presbyterian Church (now Trinity Presbyterian Church), Birmingham, Alabama from 1989 to 1995, and was founding pastor of Trinity Reformed Church, Moscow, Idaho, and served on the pastoral staff at Trinity from 2003-2013. From 1998 to 2013 he taught theology and literature at New St. Andrews College, Moscow, Idaho, where he continues to teach as an adjunct Senior Fellow. He now serves as President of Trinity House in Alabama, where is also resident Church Teacher at the local CREC church. He and his wife, Noel, have ten children and five grandchildren.

Reviews

[Lindsay John Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating and deep engagement with the opening chapters of Genesis. Leithart always provokes profound thought. This is the exegetical ground-work for a larger theological project, but well worth reading on its own account.

[Grant Van Brimmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

super interesting study. enjoyed it a lot.

"Man and woman are cre- ated as an ordered communion to provide a living likeness to the ordered communion that is the life of God. Only when that communion takes shape in the world is the creation, at last, very good."

[Sam Nesbitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Glory of Man by Peter Leithart is a fascinating study in theological anthropology, gender, and sexuality that is robustly theological and biblical in approach. Leithart frames the book as an exegetical and biblical theological study of Genesis 1–2 that unpacks Paul’s logic in 1 Corinthians 11 concerning the relationship between God and Christ, man and woman, and image and glory. The result is an illuminating, maximalist interpretation of the creation of man and woman that cuts through egalitarianism, complementarianism, and patriarchalism to articulate the biblical truths contained in all three without making the same errors that all three likewise make.

There are, however, some issues, most of which are due to the length and nature of the book. Leithart’s methodology could be further unpacked, especially in his exegetical connections and biblical theological connections that can stretch credulity at times. The difference between allegory and biblical theology is often that the latter shows its work while the former does not. That said, some of the interesting connections Leithart makes (such as the cutting of Adam’s side with circumcision (90)) would be more persuasive if fleshed out more.

A deeper issue that is most likely related to length is Leihthart’s treatment of singleness as vocation. A few times Leithart argues for the ethical imperative to get married, but does not discuss the vocation of singleness in a comparable sense.

Overall, this study will provoke the most vocal and extreme parties in the best way possible: Leithart will anger those inclined to feminism, egalitarianism, etc. by arguing for the hierarchy between male and female that is undeniably biblical and is rooted in the very nature of the Trinity. Leithart will also anger those inclined to patriarchalism, misogyny, etc. by arguing that this hierarchy is characterized by mutual dependence and love that also images the Trinity. Leitthart also has a wonderful treatment on biblical cosmology and how paternal and maternal language apply to God and his relations to his people. The Glory of Man is a thought-provoking and encouraging short-read that is not only worth reading again, but also warrants further and deeper study that goes beyond the work and into the resources Leithart uses.

[Cody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible, Peter Leithart is able to successfully guide the reader through some challenging portions of Scripture, particularly 1 Cor. 11.

In the modern culture, there is a wide range of opinions on gender and sexuality. When one rejects God, Truth, and standards of morality, the foundation for meaning and purpose behind anything ends up being severed. Thus, we live in a society where many understand gender to be meaningless and sex purposeless.

This book forces the Christian to deal with passages that they likely take for granted such as Gen. 2, or may chalk up as “cultural” in order to avoid what is seen as a harsh truth in the modern day such as 1 Cor. 11. It is here that Leithart does great work, providing an in-depth biblical and theological treatment to show that hierarchal structures in gender is not a harsh truth, but actually much needed for the modern day. Gender is what it is, because God is who He is. “The cross and resurrection aren’t icing on the cake of natural marriage. The cross and resurrection are inscribed into the created nature of sexual difference and union. Marriage is typological all the way down.” (p. 98)

As others have said, this book deals a substantial blow to both extremes on sexuality and gender. It forces the liberal Christian to acknowledge that marital union is decidedly between Man and Woman and there does exist a physical hierarchy. There is distinction and diversity even amidst unity. And for the conservative Christian, it forces them to reckon with the fact that Woman is in fact the glory of Man. The woman is not just a “helper” to be assigned tasks, but a “battle-mate” who comes to aid the one who is helpless and unable to complete the task on his own. There is unity even amidst the diversity.

[Zach Hollifield · Rating 4 out of 5]

*kombucha girl gif*

[Darren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful exegesis of Genesis 2 - and has shifted my Christological reading of marriage and gender into something more fundamentally written into the nature of humanity which is then recovered by Jesus. Thought-provoking and helpful.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a delight to read. Not too scholarly, not too simplistic. It challenged a few of my assumptions and really made me think. The ancient and Biblical cosmologies were really helpful. I had three big takeaways from the book mainly the last 3 chapters: 1) there was designed sinless tension between man and woman pre-Fall. This tension has of course has been exacerbated by sin, but it still leads us to maturity. 2) Without Eve, Adam, would not have fully borne God's Image, as we would not have the 'us-ness' of the Trinity. At first I saw this is an error, seeing as how Christ is the express image of God as a singular God-man, but I think it works. Christ is THE Image, we are made IN the Image. 3) woman is not as 'like' Adam as the animals - she is "built" from his rib/side to be opposite him, unlike the animals that were formed from the dust like Adam. So it is her 'unlikeness' that suits her to be his ezer kenegdo, his helper, his battlemate. Anyway, this is worth the short read and likely re-read. It's brief, but incredibly rich.

[Matthew Terrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leithart is, as a friend of mine put it, a “theological maximalist.” He squeezes every drop from a text and uncovers as much as there is to discover on a subject. This book is no different. At times, I wish he said more (about the real-time implications of his exegetical insights). At others, I wonder if he should have said less (about the Trinitarian echoes in our sexuality). Overall, a fascinating, compelling, frustrating, thought-provoking little book that is worth the effort.

[A · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brilliant insights mixed with questionable if not faulty exegesis, especially in the area of the doctrine of the Trinity. At the same time there is a whole goldmine of exegetical insights which I enjoyed and want to reflect more on, even if I won't adopt the entire argument wholesale.

[Josh Shelton · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could, I would give it 7 stars. Outstanding!

[Saul W · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love women.

[Jeffrey Sliney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth reading. Biblical explanation of male/female differences

[Nathan Dowd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent.