Thomas observes that “a holy God among a holy people in a holy place” is “the enduring eschatological hope of the Scriptures.”34 The people’s holiness reflects God’s holiness, so they are a witness to the world. This testimony of the church in the New Testament means that unity was a critical aspect for preserving the sanctity of the dwelling place of God’s Spirit, and the relationships within the community were a supremely important way to manifest the divine life. Consequently, as we examine gender in the life of the church, we will consider it from the perspective of holiness and unity in
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