If religious patriarchy was true, the angel of the Lord would have spoken first to Manoah about the miraculous conception of Samson.

Instead, he spoke to Manoah’s wife—a woman—alone (Judges 13:2-24).

If religious patriarchy was true, the angel Gabriel would have spoken to Joseph first about the miraculous conception of our Lord.

Instead, he spoke to Mary—a woman—alone (Luke 1:26-38).

If religious patriarchy was true, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ would not have spoken to a Samaritan woman at Jacob’s Well, revealing to her that he was the Messiah.

He did speak to a woman—alone—and she bore witness to her community that the Messiah had come. Many believed because of her testimony (John 4:4-42).

If religious patriarchy was true, the Risen Savior would have first revealed himself to men, entrusting them with the good news of his victory over sin and death.

Instead, he spoke first to women—alone—entrusting them with the good news we call “the gospel.” When the women revealed this message to Jesus’ male disciples, the men did not believe (Luke 24:1-11).

In diagrams, blogs, podcasts and books, religious patriarchy claims that women must relate to God through the “spiritual covering” of men in the church and in the home. Without this covering of “masculine authority,” women—it is claimed—are in danger of being deceived.

Whom are we to believe?

Patriarchal men; or the angel of the Lord, the angel Gabriel and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ? Whose example should we follow?

I believe the disciples in the book of Acts spoke wisely when they told the religious leaders of their day, “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).