Journal: Priscilla Papers
Volume: PP 16:3 (Summer 2002)
Article: What Is Biblical Equality? A Simple Definition Needs Further Discussion, Not Least Because Of Misunderstanding.
Author: Alan G. Padgett

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PP 16:3 (Summer 2002) p. 22

What Is Biblical Equality?
A Simple Definition Needs Further Discussion, Not Least Because Of Misunderstanding.

Alan G. Padgett

Alan Padgett is professor of Systematic Theology at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN. He is the author of God, Eternity, and the Nature of Time (Wipf & Stock, 2000) and editor of Reason and the Christian Religion (Oxford Univ. Press, 1994). He is a consulting theologian for Priscilla Papers .

Just what does Christians for Biblical Equality understand to be the scriptural teaching about the equality of humankind? Wishing to make available a more complete statement than that already available in CBE’s published materials on basic beliefs and values (see, for example, p. 23), Prof. Alan Padgett here provides a fuller description of these beliefs and understandings. In this article he reviews CBE’s beliefs and gives a comprehensive explanation of them. This article is also being made available in a brochure that can be passed along to others, as well as accessed at www.cbeinternational.org.

What is biblical equality? It is the belief that all people are equal before God and in Christ. All have equal responsibility to use their gifts and obey their calling to the glory of God. God freely calls believers to roles and ministries without regard to class, gender, or race. We believe this because the Bible and Jesus Christ teach it to us. That is biblical equality.

This simple statement needs further discussion, in no small part because of misunderstanding. Many people misunderstand the teaching of the Bible regarding issues of gender, race, and class. Others misunderstand the definition of equality and what that means for the way we live our lives. In this short essay, we hope to clarify the meaning of biblical equality in some degree, and we invite you to read and reflect further on this important topic.

The principle of biblical equality can be developed as three ideas:

1. Human equality. All people are equal before God, and are equal in church, home, and society.

2. Equal responsibility. Race, gender, and class are not barriers to Christ. Membership, ministry, and mission are open to all in his kingdom, based upon our personal vocation, moral and personal qualifications, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

3. Mutual submission. Christian love is the heart of life in the Spirit. Mutual submission is Christian love in action, treating each person with dignity.

Let us consider more fully each of these important biblical truths.

The Bible is the inspired Word, the revelation of God to the prophets and apostles within huma...

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