“Biblical” vs. Christlike

The Bible honestly records both God’s redemption plan and humanity’s brokenness. When we say “Biblical (recorded)”, we mean what was written down in scripture—including cultural practices, human sin, and distorted traditions that God never intended as His perfect design.

When we say “Christlike (revealed in Jesus)”, we mean the true standard God set for His people, revealed fully in the life, teachings, and example of Jesus Christ.

This contrast shows the difference between what was tolerated or practiced in biblical history and what Christ restored—God’s heart of equality, love, justice, and freedom for all humanity.

1. Marriage and Relationships

• Biblical (recorded):

  • Polygamy (Abraham, Jacob, David, Solomon).

  • Patriarchy and hierarchy where women were treated as property or second-class (e.g., concubines, daughters given in marriage without choice).

  • Levirate marriage (brother required to marry widow, Deuteronomy 25:5).

    
    

• Christlike (revealed in Jesus):

  • Monogamous, covenantal love—“the two shall become one flesh” (Matthew 19:4–6).

  • Equality and honor for women—Jesus spoke with the Samaritan woman (John 4) and she evangelized a whole city, affirmed Mary sitting at His feet as a disciple (Luke 10:39), and first appeared to women after resurrection (John 20:14–18) -  trusted to be the first to spread the good news.

  • Co-leadership – God’s original design before sin – male and female made in God’s image governing together. We submit to one another’s spiritual gifts, anointing, and strengths, not gender or biology.

  • Jesus never taught male only leadership or provision.

    
    

2. The Inferiority of Women: Pagan, Not God’s Design

• Biblical record (misinterpreted culturally):

  • After the Fall, patriarchy became common, and male dominance was recorded in law and custom (Genesis 3:16; Deuteronomy 21:10–14).

  • Cultural norms sometimes portrayed women as less capable, less authoritative, or less valuable.

    
    

• Christlike (revealed in Jesus):

  • God created men and women equally in His image (Genesis 1:26–27).

  • Jesus broke cultural barriers—healed, taught, and commissioned women as disciples and ministry leaders (Luke 8:1–3; John 20:17–18).

  • Paul affirmed equality in Christ: “There is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28).

  • Principle: Any teaching of female inferiority is pagan or cultural, not God-given.

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3. Violence and Power

• Biblical (recorded):

  • Wars of conquest (Joshua leading Israel into Canaan).

  • Human kingship (1 Samuel 8) leading to abuse of power.

  • Saul’s suicide (1 Samuel 31:4).

    
    

• Christlike (revealed in Jesus):

  • Nonviolence and enemy-love—“Love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).

  • Servant leadership—“The greatest among you will be your servant” (Matthew 23:11). Jesus’ servanthood had nothing to do with His carpentry, it was about setting the captives free not employment or provision. Nowhere can you find providing as the man’s role.

  • God had instilled judges not kings, it was the people who rejected God as King and wanted to follow the behavior of the world to instill their own king and kingdom.

  • Refusal of worldly power—Jesus rejected Satan’s offer of the kingdoms of the world (Matthew 4:8–10).

    
    

4. Sexual Morality

• Biblical (recorded):

  • Lot’s daughters sleeping with him (Genesis 19:30–38).

  • Concubines kept by men of power (Judges 19; 2 Samuel 5:13).

  • Temple prostitution in pagan settings (1 Kings 14:24).

    
    

• Christlike (revealed in Jesus):

  • Sexual faithfulness—Jesus raised the standard: “Whoever looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28).

  • Compassion for the broken—Jesus protected the woman caught in adultery, offering mercy and restoration (John 8:3–11).

    
    

5. Religion and Worship

• Biblical (recorded):

  • Animal sacrifices offered repeatedly for sins.

  • Temple elitism where Gentiles, women, and the poor were marginalized.

  • Legalism—Pharisees burdening people with rules and oppression (Matthew 23).

    
    

• Christlike (revealed in Jesus):

  • Final sacrifice once for all (Hebrews 10:10–14).

  • Worship in spirit and truth (John 4:23–24).

  • Freedom in Christ (Galatians 5:1)

    
    

6. Treatment of Others

• Biblical (recorded):

  • Slavery regulated in Old and New Testament times (Exodus 21, Ephesians 6:5).

  • Exclusion of outsiders in some laws (Deuteronomy 23:3).

  • Retribution-based justice (eye for an eye, Exodus 21:24).

    
    

• Christlike (revealed in Jesus):

  • Freedom and dignity for all people—“The Spirit of the Lord… has sent me to proclaim release to the captives” (Luke 4:18), which included women and wives.

  • Radical inclusion: Jesus healed Gentiles, dined with sinners, welcomed children, and included women as disciples and ministry leaders (Luke 8:1–3).

  • Humility: instructed believers to avoid selfish ambition and conceit and instead with humility consider others more important than themselves, focusing on the interest of others rather than own (Philippians 2:3)

    
    

✅ Conclusion:

The Bible faithfully records both humanity’s sin and God’s redemption plan, including cultural distortions like patriarchy, polygamy, and exclusion. But Jesus is the standard for Christlike living. Anything that oppresses, degrades, silence, or excludes—like female inferiority or hierarchical abuse—is human distortion, not God’s design. The cross is our example for redemption, love, and freedom.

Following Christ means restoring equality, love, justice, and inclusion, empowering women and all people to participate fully in discipleship, leadership, and ministry.

Please share so others may know the truth that sets free.

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In freedom and might,

Jeannette