Essay 2 – All Men are Created Equal
The question posed in this module’s essay revolves around equality as it relates to
established Army regulations pertaining to women serving in units that routinely engage in direct
combat. The initial assumption on this question appears to be quite simple and straightforward,
however, when one looks at this issue through a Biblical lens rather than a secular one that
answer is not so simple. The three major points that must be utilize in rendering a decision on
this question are: what the biblical definition of equality is as opposed to the current secular
definition, what instruction does the Bible provide about women serving in combat leadership
positions, and what does the common law within the United States say regarding these subject
areas. This essay will focus on these three points to derive an answer to the question posed.
The first area that will be disused is the Biblical definition and view of equality as
opposed to the secular definition that is prevalent in the United States and has been heavily
politicized in recent years. The PowerPoint presentation for this module addresses this issue by
stating, “…equality before God does not necessarily mean equality of participation in all of
God’s creation; rather, it means equality of opportunity for God’s justice.” Martin Peters.
Foundations of Law – Week 4. (2024, 11)
https://canvas.liberty.edu/courses/678715/files/105845126?module_item_id=73179718. This
statement suggests that God’s (bible) meaning of equality is vastly different from the secular and
political meaning that we are bombarded with daily in the United States. As we have seen with
Diversity / Equity / Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, equal pay for all initiatives, equal opportunity for
all initiatives, equal housing for all initiatives, etc., the secular and political views of equality
within the United States are seen as everything should be equal for everyone. The Biblical view
of equality greatly opposes the secular vie in that God does not guarantee that we will all make
the same amount of money and/or receive the same type of opportunities, rather, we are all
equally judged by God and are equally offered the gift of forgiveness through Jesus Christ. This
is evident through the words of Romans 3:23-24, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory
of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ
Jesus.” Romans 3:23-24 (New Living Translation) It is important to note that the Bible does not
provide any statements and/or instructions directly opposing the examples of the secular view on
equality provided above but the Bible is very clear and direct that those secular views are not the
direct views of the Creator, which are the views that this essay will focus on.
The next topic that must be discussed is the Bible’s viewpoint on women serving in
military leadership positions within direct combat situations where they will have authority over
men. It must be stated that this is a tricky question to answer since the Bible does not provide
any direct instruction on the specific scenario, however, it does provide a significant amount of
instruction on women (and men’s) roles within the church and the family relationship. For this
reason, we must look deeply at the provided instruction(s) and apply it accordingly to the
question at hand.
The first Biblical situation that we must look at is that of Deborah in the book of Judges.
Many will point to the fact that God chose Deborah to be a judge, and this is Biblical support that
women can serve in positions of authority over men. In looking at the situation with Deborah as
it pertains to the question at hand, one must consider that Deborah was not given authority over
men in the realm of combat and did not, herself, take up arms in any combat scenarios. For these
reasons, we cannot use the story of Deborah to definitively determine that the Bible provides
direct instruction on the matter of women in combat leadership roles.
Next, we must look at the gender roles established in the Bible as they pertain to the
family unit to determine the answer of gender roles in military combat leadership. After the fall
of man in the Garden, God provided instructions to Eve as to the role of each gender moving
forward. Genesis 3:16 is noticeably clear on this subject through stating, “To the woman he said,
“I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your
desire shall be contrary to your husband, but he shall rule over you.” Genesis 3:16 (New Living
Translation) This instruction is echoed later in the Bible in Colossians 3:18 which says “Wives,
submit to your husbands, as is fitting for those who belong to the Lord.” Colossians 3:18 (New
Living Translation) and in the book of Ephesians by saying, “For wives, this means submit to
your husbands as to the Lord. For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the
church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. As the church submits to Christ, so you wives
should submit to your husbands in everything.” Ephesians 5:22-24 (New Living Translation)
These three direct instructions from God show us the unquestionable gender roles within the
family structure and begin to lead us to the determination of application to gender roles within
combat leadership positions.
We must now consider the Bible’s direction on gender roles within the Church and during
times of formal worship. The most direct instruction on this topic is provided in 1 Timothy in
the following verses: “A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a
woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet. For Adam was formed
first, then Eve. And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and
became a sinner. But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love
and holiness with propriety.” 1 Timothy 2:11-15 (New Living Translation) Paul was very clear
on the role of women within the church, most notably by forbidding them to teach or have any
authority over a man. In applying this instruction to the question being answered in this essay,
we are certainly being led to the conclusion that AR 600-13 does not violate Biblical principles
and directives.
The final area we must analyze prior to rendering a decision on the question at hand is the
common law influence in the United States, specifically, the Declaration of Independence. The
most significant and influential statement within the Declaration on Independence is, “We hold
these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their
Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of
Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men.” Declaration of
Independence: A Transcription (September 10, 2024, 3:45 PM)
https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript. Although these statements were
made as the basis of law in the newly established United States, “The common law was well
suited to carry out this fundamental purpose of the Declaration, but not without some
controversy.” Herbert Titus, God, Man, and Law: The Biblical Principles 99 (1994). One of the
main discrepancies found within the initial drafting of the Declaration of Independence was the
absence of clear and direct rights of woman. Over the past 248 years, numerous amendments
have been made to the document to provide women with the same rights as men. The most
notable of these was the 19th amendment which was ratified in 1920 and gave women the right to
vote. National Archives. America’s Founding Documents. (2024, 10:35 AM)
https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/amendments-11-27. It is important to note that out of
the numerous specific amendments to the Declaration of Independence providing women with
the same rights as men, nothing has been added in reference to a woman’s right to military
combat leadership with authority over men.
Although there is no absolute and definitive instruction found in the Bible on whether a
woman can serve in a combat leadership position with authority over men, there is very clear
direction on the role of women in the two significantly important areas of the family dynamic
and the structure of the Church. Since God was very direct on gender roles in these two areas,
one must assume that it is God’s will to apply the same directives to situations such as rules
found within AR 600-13. In applying the clear evidence and direct instruction provided in this
essay, I must conclude that AR 600-13 is a valid rule based in Biblical principles and the denial
of G.I. Janes application is a Biblically valid decision.
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