What is a Woman?

“Can you provide a definition for the word ‘woman’?”

This question was asked by Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn to Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, in the recent confirmation hearing for her appointment to the Supreme Court.

Appearing somewhat bewildered Jackson, responded, “I am not a biologist.”

More recently HHS Secretary, Xavier Becerra was asked By Illinois Representative Mary Miller, “What is a woman? Can you define the word?”

“I’m looking at you,” Becerra shot back. “And I think you are a woman. How much more do you want me to give you?”

All of this comes in the woke state of gender politics, especially in the wake of a transgendered swimmer, Lia Thomas, who won the NCAA women’s 500-yard freestyle. Thomas, who was born a biological male, ranked #462 in the men’s official swimming competition, now ranks #1 as a woman.

It seems both the NCAA leaders and our politicians are unsure of the answer to the question, “What is a woman?”

Recently I was discussing this issue with a public school teacher who teaches 7th-grade life science. She said that this idea of gender choice is becoming “a thing” with kids today. They are being influenced by the trickle-down effect of influential people in culture normalizing transgenderism. They think they can choose whether they are a boy or a girl.

My friend pointed out to them that regardless of how a person identifies themselves the DNA from one hair of their head would identify them as male or female. She said scientifically if one is born with two X chromosomes, they’re a female. If they’re born with an X and a Y chromosome they are a male. “That’s the science,” the teacher informed them. At that point the room got real quiet, she said.

What is a Woman?

Yourdictionary.com informs us that a woman “is an adult female” One who possesses “womanly qualities or characteristics, femininity.

When I was a kid growing up in the 1950s and 60’s everyone knew what a woman was. Who a woman was. And the difference between men and women. It was obvious. Even if you weren’t a biologist.

What is a Woman?

While pop culture says there are “no absolutes” in terms of morals, sexuality, and gender, God begs to differ. It started in the beginning when God put Adam to sleep, took a rib from his side, and fashioned a woman. The Bible says he created them male and female (Gen. 1:27; 2:21-23). Jesus verified the creation account with this affirmation.

“Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”

Doy Moyer expressed it this way. “God made woman, not as a competitor to or as a displacement of the male, but as a suitable helper and companion. Male and female complement one another when they both respect God and each other. From this, God established the marriage relationship.”

“God could have made us differently than He did, but He chose not to,” observed Mark Broyles. “We could have been made without gender but we were not.”

What is a Woman?

She is the crowning act of God’s creation. She possesses a special beauty, unique biological features, and distinctly feminine attributes. She is able to become pregnant, nurse a child, and add grace, beauty, and dignity to her home.

I agree with singer-songwriter Alicia Keys, “Females are the most beautiful, gorgeous creatures in the whole world.”

What is a Woman?

A woman is valued for who she uniquely and individually is in terms of her personality, character, and qualities–a soul created in the image of God.

After 30+ years of counseling couples on how to experience a mutually fulfilling relationship, Dr. Willard Harley concluded that “his needs are not her needs.” He counsels men to understand that his emotional needs are probably not the same as his wife’s needs. Why? Two reasons. One, she is a distinct individual with her own personal needs. Two, of the 10 emotional needs Harley identified, 5 are typically male needs, and the other 5 are typically female needs. So, the Bible advises husbands to live with their wives in a considerate, understanding, and respectful way (1 Pet. 3:7).

What is a Woman?

Finally, consider these two powerful quotes.

“The fact that I am a woman does not make me a different kind of Christian, but the fact that I am a Christian makes me a different kind of woman.”― Elisabeth Elliot

“When a woman is absorbed with God’s glory, she will interpret her life according to His Truth” ― Susan Hunt

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman