Four stages of biblical narrative: Creation, Fall, Redemption, Renewal

The biblical narrative follows four stages: Creation, Fall, Redemption, and Renewal. In Creation, both men and women are created in God's image, with no hierarchy between them. The Fall introduces subordination between men and women as a consequence of sin, not as part of God's original design. In Redemption, Jesus includes women as his disciples and treats them as equals, even sending them as witnesses of the resurrection. The early church exhibits women in leadership roles, such as heading household churches. In Renewal, the restoration of God's created order is depicted with men and women partnering and co-laboring. This trajectory of the biblical narrative points towards the equal value, potential, and leadership capacity of both men and women.