What is egalitarianism or an egalitarian?

I’m not going to win a popularity contest with this, but I’m not called to tickle itchy ears (2 Timothy 4:1-5). Christians must tell the truth in love, and love with the truth, because love warns.

Sadly, today a majority of professing Christians and pastors have lowered the standard or threshold of what defines egalitarianism. They’ve changed the definition and their simpleton sheep don’t even realize it. 

First, let’s examine the correct definition of egalitarianism and then an incorrect definition (belief).

The correct definition of egalitarianism

The following is my summarized definition.

Egalitarianism is the unbiblical belief that male and female are equal. They wrongfully believe that all people are entitled to equal rights and opportunities. They wrongfully believe that all people are equal politically and socially. They also sinfully believe men and women share an equality of interchangeable roles in church, the home, the workplace, and/or society.¹

Egalitarianism and feminism are synonymous. A female egalitarian is a feminist, and a feminist is an egalitarian. They are two of the same. A man, or perhaps better said, a male proponent of egalitarianism is an egalitarian and a pro-feminist.

An incorrect definition of egalitarianism

This is where most evangelicalism is today. They don’t think they’re egalitarian, but they are. There are various levels of egalitarianism. But as I’ve said before a little egalitarianism egalitarians the whole lump.

I heard an egalitarian pastor here in Tennessee tell their church many times from the pulpit “Women are equal to men ².” Or “Our wives are equal to their husbands.” Sometimes he would even call on women to read the authoritative Scriptures in the sanctuary. But then away from the pulpit, and when only men were around, he would say, “But they have different roles.” That’s complementarianism and must be rejected along with egalitarianism.

However, though that level (or view) of egalitarianism might object to putting a woman behind the pulpit to preach a sermon on the Lord’s Day. They would sinfully put a woman behind the pulpit for other reasons or duties. Or, they would give women a microphone (a voice) in other portions of the building we call the church or in other ministries. By the way, in unbiblical ministries that you won’t find in the Scriptures.

Though that level of egalitarianism would rightfully object to a woman holding the office title of deacon, elder, or pastor. They compromise or wink and nod by wrongfully giving them other titles that are not found in the Scriptures.

All ministries in the local church should be led by Elders or Elder qualified men, not women. But the many churches I’ve visited in Tennessee are commonly relinquishing roles held by men over to women. They sinfully compromise and negotiate with egalitarians (feminists) redefining the definition, or the threshold of what an egalitarian is, or is not.

That’s another reason to not have these unbiblical gender-segregated men’s and women’s ministries (Which I’m formally guilty of). Moreover, these unbiblical women’s ministries aren’t led by men, instead, the women are leading themselves. After all, feminism teaches “we don’t need men.” And today’s unbiblical woman’s conference, I mean woman’s liberation movement is growing. Whereas egalitarian women (feminists) are manning (pun intended) the pulpit, microphone, or podcast.

It is good for men or women to enjoy each other’s fellowship and discipleship at each other’s homes or restaurants etcetera. But when the local church corporately segregates and creates “ministries” that are contra scriptura, that is wrong. 

The Scriptures are clear women are not to teach, lead, or demonstrate authority over men, or the church.

“In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.” – 1 Timothy 2:9-12

“Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.” – 1 Corinthians 14:34-35

And women in the church shouldn’t be leading themselves. Nowhere in the Scriptures will you see churches giving women positions or titles like administrator, Bible teacher, director, leader, speaker, etcetera.

Lastly, any pastors or men who negotiate with or capitulate to egalitarianism or feminism in the least bit are egalitarian pro-feminist beta males themselves. They are more consistent with the first Adam than the last Adam. Egalitarians, feminists, and pro-feminists will disagree, but my position is Biblical.

Update 11/14/25: I made a video of this article. If the below embedded video player does not work, click here.

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1. My definition of egalitarianism was gleaned from various Bible dictionaries and encyclopedias, as well as secular dictionaries i.e. The Britannica, Cambridge, Collins Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Oxford, Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Therefore, even those from the world would agree with me on what an egalitarian is. ↩︎
2. Albeit the secular courts and EEOC may say we’re equal, that’s not Biblical. Though men are not better than women, and yes, we are created equal in God’s image, we are unequally different. Including but not limited to. Different in anthropology, biology, genetics, neurobiology, sexuality, physiology, and sociologically. But more importantly, we are different Theologically. To say otherwise is a bisexual anthropology and goes against God’s Divine order of creation. Gender confusion belongs out in the world, not in the church. ↩︎