Our problem today is that God’s design in creation, reflected in the differing vocations given to men and women, is something that sinners routinely try to suppress or distort (Rom. 1:18). And sadly, they do so to their own hurt.

Last night, John Piper participated in a panel discussion about complementarianism, and today T4G released an excerpt (see above). I really appreciate the point that Piper is making here. He is pointing out that men have a special obligation to protect and to care for women. This obligation, by divine design, is written into their nature.

Someone may object: “But doesn’t God’s image in every human being establish abuse as an offense against God? Why does gender even matter here?” Yes, God’s image does establish the offense, but it doesn’t by itself indicate greater degrees of moral culpability given a perpetrator’s motive, responsibility, and situation.

God enunciates a “protector” vocation for the man when he tells him to cultivate and “keep” (guard/protect) the garden in Genesis 2:15. You can also detect this vocation when Paul tells husbands to care for their wives as they would their own bodies (Eph. 5:28). God’s design of a man as a protector is also revealed in the physical differences between male and female, that men are generally stronger than women (1 Pet. 3:7).

A husband (not the wife) checking out “bumps” in the night reflects this vocation. “Women and children first” also reflects this vocation that God has given to the man. It is written into his nature. Understanding these natural vocations that God has given to men is crucial. Herman Bavinck says it this way:

“For by nature the man has a different disposition, different needs and inclinations, a different calling than the woman. No theory or law can erase this difference, which is grounded in nature.” –The Christian Life

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