040 Why I'm NOT a Complementarian

Send us Fan Mail

We walk through the deeper reasons we can no longer hold complementarianism, focusing on Bible reading frameworks, power, and the new-covenant identity of believers. We explain why historical context, Genesis, Jesus’ teaching on authority, and adoption to sonship reshape how we think about women in ministry and leadership. 

• Defining complementarianism and egalitarianism in plain terms 
• Why our minds changed without re-litigating the “big three” passages 
• How hermeneutics and historical context steer interpretation 
• Reading Genesis 1 to 4 as unity and shared priestly calling 
• Why “helper” does not mean subservient assistant 
• What matriarchal authority in the Old Testament reveals about household power 
• How Greco-Roman culture influences New Testament household codes 
• Why Jesus’ “not so with you” challenges hierarchy systems 
• Adoption to sonship as legal status that impacts church life 
• Priesthood of all believers as a shared calling for men and women 
• Practical Q&A on gifts, parenting, church choices, and finding resources 

Resources mentioned:

• Substack
• Eve as first theologian and priestly representative:
  • Article: Transforming Eve’s Legacy
  • Podcast: Women in Context: Eve (Gen 2-4)
  • Article: Eve the first theologian
• Subscribe to my patreon for full explanations and lectures of the 7 Reasons Complementarians believe in Hierarchy pre-fall https://www.patreon.com/c/WeWhoThirst
• Instagramseries:
  • Does Adam being formed first mean he’s the boss?
  • Does woman as “helper” mean she’s subordinate?
  • Adam named Eve, so is he in charge?
  • Humanity is referred to as “man,” so therefore are men in charge?
  • Did Satan come to Eve first to undermine God’s creation order?
  • Does God speaking to Adam first after the fall mean that he (Adam) has primary responsibility?
  • Since Adam represents the human race, he’s responsible, not Eve?
• Matriarchal Authority Lecture: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OO-E36xt_2E

Support the show

...................
Follow We Who Thirst on Instagram, Threads, or YouTube! 

To join Jessica LM Jenkins' mailing list, or access the full research bibliography for this episode visit www.wewhothirst.com/links .

Thank you for supporting the Women of the Bible in Context podcast, your contributions make this ministry possible!