The Journey Back to Eden: Restoring the Creator's Design for Women and Men

by Glen G. Scorgie

Men, women, and Where is the Bible pointing us? Join the journey through the pages of Scripture and across history to see the trajectory of the Spirit. Can it be that he is taking the church back to personal wholeness and relational harmony that have eluded men and women since the Fall in the garden? Based on a high view of Scripture, this fresh look at the biblical landscape * corrects misunderstandings of biblical statements on gender. * demonstrates that some texts applied only to the unique historical situations they addressed. * discerns the overall direction that the Holy Spirit is taking, calling the church to embrace a vision of gender equality, freedom, and mutuality. Written in an accessible style, The Journey Back to Eden offers hope and encouragement to men and women who are perplexed by gender stereotypes. The book includes questions for individual reflection or group discussion.

224 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2005

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I happen to agree with Scorgie's conclusions, but at times I find the case he builds tenuous. I think he gives a pretty excellent feminist critique of church history, and he brings to light some good points about the trinity's connection to gender relations. However, in his exegesis of Paul I can't help but feel Scorgie cuts off his nose to spite his face. By apologizing for Paul's seemingly patriarchal and hierarchical biblical prescriptions, Scorgie, in my opinion, weakens the Bible's claim to divine infallibility. Scorgie suggests that Paul wrote what he did 1) to be tongue-in-cheek, 2) to sell people on the gospel even if it meant compromising on gender equality, 3) to illustrate a different principle altogether and 4) because he though Jesus was coming soon so he put women's rights on the back burner. If Paul had known better, Sorgie suggests, he might not have written what he did. That to me sounds like Paul, and by extension God who breathed Paul's inspired words, made a mistake. Anyway you slice Sorgie's argument the Bible is framed as a document nearly impossible to understand and difficult to trust. Now Scorgie may well be right about all of it (though he gives little evidence to back up his hypotheses) but I have an inkling that undermining the legitimacy of Scripture was just about the last thing he wanted to accomplish. Nevertheless, I appreciate his zeal and his dedication to an egalitarian vision of Christianity. Yet for my money, William Webb's book on the subject is still the best reasoned work I've read on the role of women in the church.

[Glen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book! Scorgie has written a well researched book in support of the egalitarian position. His exegetical work is solid and thorough, and he is transparent when it is weak.

This book needs to be read by egalitarians and complementarians alike. For those who have "inherited" the egalitarian position this book will help you did the background to the view. It will assist in finding this position for yourself.

If you are a complementarian this book is a must read even if you have no desire to change your view. The work Scorgie has done will force you to measure your position. You will leave this book with a respect for this who are egalitarians.

[Kisha Gallagher · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good resource into understanding the the Creator's original design for the roles of the male and female. However, there are other works, such as Dr. Skip Moen's book Guardian Angel, that explore these roles from a deeper Hebraic perspective. I found that on some pages I could completely agree with the author, and then on the next, his paradigm would peek through and negate some of his previous conclusions. I'm thankful for those that are trying to bring restoration to the body composed of both male and female. And this book is a descent one to study. Just don't let it be the final word. Keep seeking and searching and the bigger picture will emerge.

[Kj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on the table of contents, this book isn't what one might think it is:
Ex: Chapter 5 "An Age of Patriarchy: Gender Privilege in the Old Testament"

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

God's design for Gender Equality

[Lilith]

Read half of this book. Although some of his arguments are convincing, overall I've found his approach to interpreting the Bible to be lacking.