C-4 Representative Headship in Genesis 1-3

Buller Room 150

The topic of representative headship of Adam in Genesis has been suggested for scholars against woman’s ordination. On the other hand, this idea has been overlooked or dismissed by scholars in favor of woman’s ordination. However, three important issues calls for a careful consideration to ascertain if this concept is present in Genesis and if it does what are its implications: First, there is almost a consensus by New Testament scholars that the concept of representative headship of Adam is the foundation of Paul’s argument for his Adam’s Christology. Second, the concept of representative headship or federal headship is foundational to Reformed theology and finally it seems also that Ellen White suggests this idea. Is there in first three chapters of Genesis evidence to support the idea of representative headship and if there is, what is the scope of this representative headship?