Doctrine Matters with Kevin DeYoung: Episode Summary – "What is Complementarity?"

Release Date: April 22, 2025

Introduction

In the April 22, 2025 episode of Doctrine Matters, pastor, bestselling author, and associate professor of systematic theology Kevin DeYoung delves into the concept of complementarity within Christian anthropology and marriage. Hosted by Crossway, this episode explores foundational theological principles, drawing from biblical texts and historical church teachings to provide a comprehensive understanding of human identity and relationships.

1. Understanding the Image of God

The episode begins with an exploration of the Image of God (Imago Dei), a cornerstone of Christian anthropology.

• Kevin DeYoung introduces the topic by emphasizing its foundational place in theology:
  “Let’s think about the image of God. That’s probably the most essential thing to know and what most people have heard of.” [00:45]

• Speaker B elaborates on the biblical basis, referencing Genesis:
  “Let us make man in our image after our likeness. God created man in his own image, in the image of God. He created him male and female.” [01:11]

• The discussion highlights the three references in Genesis (Chapters 1, 5, and 9), illustrating that the Imago Dei persists despite the Fall and the Flood:
  “Man is created in the image of God and that the fall did not end the imago DEI and the punishment of the flood did not wipe it out.” [01:49]

• Speaker C connects this to the New Testament, emphasizing the transposition of the image of God in Christ:
  “Christ is the image of God, of course, he is the Word made flesh... the New Testament focuses more upon the image of God as our eschatological goal.” [02:30]

Key Insights:

• The Imago Dei serves both dignity and destiny for humans.
• The functional aspects (what humans do) and structural aspects (what humans have) of the Imago Dei are discussed, with recent emphasis on functional aspects like speech and rationality.

2. Complementarity in Anthropology

Kevin DeYoung transitions to anthropology, the doctrine of man, focusing on complementarity—the idea that men and women are uniquely designed to complement each other.

• Speaker C defines anthropology in theological terms:
  “Anthropology. That is the doctrine of man. That word anthropos is the Greek word for man or human beings.” [00:45]

• Speaker B discusses the functional and structural aspects of the Imago Dei:
  “Functional aspects tell us about what we do, and then structural aspects, what we have.” [04:18]

Key Insights:

• Humans are created to represent God, engage in relationships with Him, and reflect His righteousness.
• The transformation through Christ enhances the human reflection of God's glory.

3. Marriage: Complementarity, Covenant, and Children

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to unpacking the biblical understanding of marriage, structured around three primary themes: complementarity, covenant, and children.

• Complementarity in Marriage:
  Drawing from Genesis 2, Speaker B explains:
  “By complementarity, I simply mean that in the Genesis account, the man and the woman are uniquely fit for each other. They are complements, they are designed for each other.” [06:27]

• Covenant Nature of Marriage:
  Referencing Malachi 2:14, Speaker C describes marriage as a covenant bond:
  “The covenant of marriage was formed... Most people... make vows to each other.” [07:06]

• Purpose of Marriage – Procreation:
  The Westminster Confession and Book of Common Prayer are cited to underscore that marriage is intended for the procreation of children:
  “Marriage was given in part for the increase of holy seed... Holy matrimony was ordained for the procreation of children.” [08:37]

• Christ and the Church Analogy:
  Ephesians 5 is analyzed to illustrate the relationship between Christ and the Church as a model for marriage:
  “Christ as the man and the church as the woman,” ensuring the unity and mystery of the Gospel are reflected in marital relationships. [09:13]

Key Insights:

• Marriage is seen as an organic unity designed to fulfill the dual purposes of companionship and procreation.
• The spiritual analogy between Christ and the Church serves to deepen the theological understanding of marital roles and unity.

4. Addressing Transgenderism

In a candid and sensitive segment, DeYoung and his co-host address the contemporary issue of transgenderism, grounding their discussion in biblical anthropology.

• Speaker C emphasizes that gender is a divine design:
  “We are created in his image, male and female. God made us. This is not a cultural construct.” [10:23]

• The episode critiques the modern distinction between sex (biological) and gender (identity), emphasizing biblical consistency:
  “The body is given to us. The body is a gift... male and female are uniquely the type of pair that can reproduce.” [12:04]

• They reference Leviticus 18, Romans 1, and 1 Corinthians 6 to argue against gender nonconformity:
  “Men should not dress like women... When men and women embrace obviously other gendered expressions of identity, it is a disgrace.” [13:34]

• The speakers advocate for a pastoral and truthful response to those experiencing transgender struggles:
  “Christians should respond with patience and kindness and truth.” [11:08]

Key Insights:

• Transgender identity is viewed as inconsistent with God’s creation as male and female.
• The Christian response should balance compassion with biblical truth, avoiding the promotion of a "muddy picture" of reality.
• The episode underscores the importance of aligning mental and emotional states with bodily design as per biblical teachings.

Conclusion

Kevin DeYoung wraps up the episode by reiterating the importance of understanding complementarity within both anthropology and marriage. He encourages listeners to engage deeply with these theological concepts to better reflect the riches and beauty of God's Word in their lives.

• Kevin DeYoung offers additional resources for further study:
  “If you'd like to study more of the issues we discussed today, you can check out my book Daily Doctrine, available in print or audio from Crossway...” [15:59]

Notable Quotes

1. Kevin DeYoung [02:30]:
   “Christ is the image of God, of course, he is the Word made flesh... the New Testament focuses more upon the image of God as our eschatological goal.”

2. Speaker B [06:27]:
   “By complementarity, I simply mean that in the Genesis account, the man and the woman are uniquely fit for each other. They are complements, they are designed for each other.”

3. Speaker C [11:08]:
   “Christians should respond with patience and kindness and truth.”

Final Thoughts

This episode of Doctrine Matters offers a thorough theological examination of complementarity, grounded in scripture and historical doctrine. Kevin DeYoung effectively navigates complex debates, providing listeners with clear, accessible insights into how these doctrines shape Christian understanding of human identity, marriage, and contemporary social issues like transgenderism. Whether you are new to these topics or seeking deeper theological reflection, this episode serves as a valuable resource for enriching your faith journey.