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Point of Reference
by Fred Price
The dual usage of the term man – or mankind/humanity, has long been understood to designate a species and/or the male component of that species. Much as the Hebrew word for the first man – Adam/Adamah is derived from the word for ground/dirt, from which Adam was created and which then consequently became his name. (Genesis 2:7 Present-day science finding that mankind is composed of a number of chemical compounds found in and throughout the earth, characterizing us as carbon-based creatures.) Again, the Hebrew word for man and woman being similar, yet designating individuals with profound differences.
Likewise the terms male and female refer to the two subdivisions of the species MAN. The masculine derivative – masculus, from which we get our word masculine, obviously represents the male branch. The female derivative – being derived from femina, from which we get our word feminine, designating the branch of women. The term human race/humankind originating from humanus, referring to people, a community of those people or a society of humanity. This species being totally separate from the other created species or “kinds” populating the earth. Genesis 1:27 revealing the reason for that separateness as, “…God created man in his own image…male and female he created them.” The preceding verse recording God as saying, “Let us make man in our image (evidently referring to the Trinity), in our likeness, and let them (men and women) rule over the…”, earth.
God created the man as the first installment of a species, and then, from Adam’s DNA – his rib – crafted Eve; the male and female subdivisions of mankind. (Exodus 2:21,22) As such, they are equally unique, original and irreplaceable, equally deserving of respect and deference; equally inspiring and wonderful. The two representative genders of people displaying significant, specific differences that make them fully capable of being the complimentary helpmate to one another God intended.
Similar to the two sides of a single coin, the same but different; physically, mentally and emotionally. (Leading me to conclude that God made a perfectly functional, utilitarian creature in man, but then got a little playful and imaginative in creating Eve as his companionable mate.) A matched pair.
That common sense knowledge has always sufficed to describe our unique similarities and distinct differences, until now. Recently, along with all the other protests over the inequalities between men and women, some of which are absolutely legitimate and begging for resolution, a representative of a class/discussion group from Purdue University appeared on Fox News to promote the idea of banning any use of the word man in any form because of its supposed demeaning connotation for women. In fact, if not in point, denigrating the very nature of the two gender plan of God embodied in humanity. Not content with that, this lady(?) – girl(?) went so far as to suggest that any personal name lending itself to a corporate entity, such as Goldman Sachs or an incorporated township, town or city, such as Manchester, should ultimately be changed.
All of which makes me wonder, are we ultimately striving for a genderless society? Similar to a few old-time science fiction movies where everyone dressed, looked and acted the same. Women wearing no make-up – or men wearing an equal amount, hair styled the same – usually in a tomboy cut, women binding their breasts so as to make them inconspicuous – men likewise appearing feminized in looks and actions. An androgynous society where Andros-man, and gyne-women, were artificially “equalized.” Which might sound extreme, but from little seeds…
The interview wound down with the question: Why can’t we all just be people/persons? (Such as chairperson, etc.) Which under certain circumstances is fine, but in reality we’re all not just persons – our different genders give us distinct defining characteristics and capabilities as individual people beyond sex. All of us sharing some broad possibilities as people but our specific differences in physical, emotional and mental makeup make us uniquely fitted for equally unique responsibilities.
Much of who we are resides in our gender, not merely as an identifier based on appearance, but on how we reason and cope, how we relate to others and resolve our differences with them. Personhood’s definition being based on the idea of persona, from which we get the idea of personality. That word’s root meaning, interestingly enough, derived from the term for an actor’s mask, either revealing or concealing who the actor really is.
Having a problem with identifying individual people – men and women – as part of the human race, or with the subdivision of humanity into male and female branches of the same race is absurd and a contrived issue. Where does common sense come into play in such “discussions”, or more to the point – why is it so lacking? These people are merely looking for one more thing to protest. And even though I am personally pro-college, with several of my family members having graduated from or now attending a university; at times it does seem as if much of what is taught and experienced in our institutions of higher learning today goes against what real -world, ordinary people think and experience. Often highlighting the real difference between wisdom and knowledge. Some people matching the description of what scripture cites as those who in claiming to be wise, prove themselves to be fools. (Romans 1:22)
Thomas Jefferson, believe it or not, actually spoke to this issue when he declared his confidence in the common sense of common people in regards to self-government, writing “State a moral case to the ploughman and a professor. The former will decide it as well, and often better than the latter, because he has not been led astray by artificial rules.” (ideas)1Of which this whole issue and assault on MAN is comprised.
1Quoted from a letter by Jefferson, cited in John Witherspoon and the Founding of the American Republic by Jeffry Morgan. Notre Dame Press
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Fred Price - married (50 years), father of two grown children, grandfather of six.
Fred retired earlier this year after 42 years as a factory worker. He has always had a heart for young people and the challenges they face today. Over the years Fred has taught Discipleship Groups for High School and college students.
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