Jesus and Equality vs Roles

Contrary to the complementarian explanation of “equal but different roles,” Jesus saw those differing roles as greater and lesser. Luke 22:27 “For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? But I am among you as he that serveth.” The context clearly is about authority and subordination, that which some complementarians have declared makes their doctrine so "beautiful" and "glorious."

Jesus says something similar in John 13:16 “Verily, verily I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.”

Clearly, Jesus is using the negative to show that the opposite is true: the lord is greater than the servant. These verses are self-explanatory, especially to those who are familiar with their bibles. But since so many insist that men and women are equal but have different roles, they apparently pass over these verses and others like them, and may need to have them explained. Jesus, who is our authority, taught that the one in authority is superior. Both the one who sits down to eat and the one who sends are the authority figures and are superior, while the ones who serve and subordinate themselves are the inferior. These are the words of Jesus.

The complementarians cannot have it both ways. Husbands cannot be both the authority, yet equal. Jesus stated those in authority are superior. And wives cannot be both the subordinate and equal. Jesus said the servant is not as great as the one in authority who is being served, therefore the subordinate wife cannot be equal to her husband.

Since complementarian authority/subordination teaching does require wives to yield to their husbands, but does not require husbands to yield to their wives, they do indeed teach a superior/inferior relationship.

If complementarians are right, and husband authority/wife subordination is equality, then we must conclude Jesus is a liar.


Waneta Dawn is the author of "Behind the Hedge, A novel" See www.wanetadawn.com A Mennonite woman fights to save her family yet keep her faith.