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The Radical Equality of Christ’s Teachings: Exploring Hierarchy, Wealth, and Original Sin

In Christian theology, original sin traditionally refers to Adam and Eve's disobedience in the Garden of Eden, a transgression that severed humanity’s relationship with God. This doctrine has often been interpreted as humanity's fallen state, one that results in sin, suffering, and death. However, by examining the nature of that fall and connecting it with Christ's message in the New Testament, we can explore an alternative interpretation—one that suggests that the root of sin is not simply disobedience, but the introduction of hierarchical thinking: the belief that some people are superior while others are inferior. This interpretation sheds light on key passages in the New Testament, particularly Christ’s teachings about wealth and power, and invites us to reconsider the epistles of Paul, Peter, and John in this context.

Original Sin and the Tree of Knowledge: A Hierarchical Fall

In the Genesis story, Adam and Eve eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, and as a result, they become aware of their nakedness. While traditional interpretations focus on disobedience and the resulting shame, it’s worth considering what that shame represents. Why did Adam and Eve suddenly feel the need to cover themselves? One possibility is that they became aware of hierarchical differences—real or imagined—between themselves and others. In their state of innocence, Adam and Eve existed in harmony, without any sense of superiority or inferiority. But after eating the forbidden fruit, they were introduced to a way of thinking that divides and categorizes people, leading to shame and division. In this view, the "knowledge of good and evil" is not merely about morality but about perceiving and creating distinctions between people, thus fracturing the unity of God’s creation.

Christ’s Teachings: Dismantling Hierarchies

Christ’s ministry repeatedly calls into question the social, political, and religious hierarchies of His time. His rebuke of the Pharisees and scribes, His teachings on wealth, and His interactions with individuals from all walks of life suggest that He was deeply concerned with the ways in which human societies create and perpetuate inequalities. One of the most striking examples of this is His statement, “It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:24). Traditionally, this passage is interpreted as a warning against the dangers of wealth, but if we understand wealth as more than just money—as a symbol of hierarchical power—this teaching takes on new significance.

Wealth, especially in the context of Roman society, was not just about money; it was about status, influence, and power over others. A rich man was not only someone with material resources but someone who held a position of authority in the complex social hierarchy of the time. Christ’s critique of wealth, then, can be seen as a critique of the hierarchical thinking that positions some people as superior to others based on their wealth and social standing. When He tells the rich man to “sell everything you have and give to the poor,” Christ is not merely advocating charity but calling the man to abandon the system that grants him power over others.

Wealth and Power in the Roman World

To fully appreciate Christ’s radical message, we must understand the societal context in which He was teaching. The Roman world was structured around a rigid hierarchy, with the emperor at the top, followed by senators, equestrians, and common citizens, and below them, slaves. This stratified society was deeply ingrained, and even meritocratic positions, like those held by centurions or civil servants, were tied to one’s place within the hierarchy. Wealth played a significant role in maintaining this structure, as it conferred not only material comfort but also social capital and influence.

Wealthy individuals were often allied with the government, using their resources to secure political favor, protect their interests, and exert influence over others. This is not unlike how wealth functions in today’s society, where the rich often hold disproportionate influence over political systems and media institutions. In this context, Christ’s call to the rich man to “give up everything” is not simply a call to generosity but a challenge to the entire social order. Christ is asking him to step outside the system of power and privilege that wealth affords him and to embrace the humility and equality of the Kingdom of God.

Hierarchy and Original Sin: A Psychological Interpretation

The connection between wealth, power, and sin becomes clearer when we revisit the idea of original sin as the introduction of hierarchical thinking. When Adam and Eve covered themselves, it was an act of shame—an acknowledgment that they saw themselves as vulnerable or inferior. The awareness of nakedness symbolizes the birth of comparison, of seeing oneself in relation to others and feeling either superior or inferior. This psychological shift is the root of all sin, as it creates the conditions for envy, pride, greed, and oppression.

In this view, Christ’s mission is to undo this original sin by restoring equality and humility. His teachings constantly undermine social hierarchies. “The greatest among you shall be your servant” (Matthew 23:11) is a direct inversion of worldly values. Christ elevates the lowly and calls the high to humble themselves. His kingdom is not one where power is hoarded but shared; not where some are superior and others inferior, but where all are equal before God.

Paul, Peter, and John: Did They Understand Christ’s Message?

With this understanding of Christ’s teachings, we can turn to the epistles of Paul, Peter, and John and ask whether they grasped the radical nature of Christ’s message about hierarchy and equality.

Paul: Champion of Equality or Accommodator of Hierarchy?

Paul’s letters contain some of the most profound statements of equality in the New Testament. In Galatians 3:28, he declares, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” This passage is often seen as a revolutionary statement that transcends the divisions of race, class, and gender, aligning with Christ’s call to equality. Moreover, Paul’s metaphor of the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12) emphasizes the interdependence of all believers, where no part is superior to another.

However, Paul also seems to accept the hierarchical structures of his time. In his letters to the Ephesians and Colossians, he advises slaves to obey their masters. In Romans 13, he calls for submission to governing authorities, arguing that they are instituted by God. These passages suggest that Paul was pragmatic about the social realities of his day, seeking to promote peace and order within the church while not directly challenging the Roman Empire’s power structures.

Peter: Balancing Humility with Submission to Authority

Peter’s letters also reflect a tension between Christ’s call for equality and the reality of Roman power. In 1 Peter 2:13-17, he advises submission to authority, including the emperor. However, Peter emphasizes humility and servanthood within the Christian community, urging believers to “clothe yourselves with humility toward one another” (1 Peter 5:5). While he accepts the need for Christians to live peacefully under Roman rule, Peter also encourages an internal ethic of equality and service, consistent with Christ’s teachings.

John: The Gospel of Love and Rejection of Worldly Power

John’s writings most clearly resonate with the theme of equality. His emphasis on love, unity, and the rejection of worldly values aligns with the idea that Christ’s message is about dismantling hierarchies. In 1 John 4:7-21, he repeatedly stresses that God is love and that anyone who lives in love lives in God. This call to love one another as equals transcends social and economic distinctions. John also contrasts the values of the world with those of God’s kingdom, warning against the love of worldly power and wealth (1 John 2:15-17).

Conclusion: Christ’s Radical Call for Equality

Christ’s teachings challenge the hierarchical thinking that has dominated human society since the fall. His message is one of radical equality, where the last are first, the greatest are servants, and all are one in Him. While Paul, Peter, and John each reflect aspects of this message, their writings also show the difficulty of living out this radical vision within the constraints of a hierarchical world.

As modern Christians, we are invited to revisit these teachings with fresh eyes and consider how the divisions of wealth, power, and status continue to shape our world today. Christ’s call to the rich man is a call to all of us—to renounce the systems that elevate some and oppress others, and to embrace a kingdom where all are equal before God.

In this way, Christ’s message of salvation is not only about personal redemption but also about the transformation of society—a society free from the original sin of hierarchical thinking, where we no longer see ourselves as superior or inferior to one another but as beloved children of God, equally made in His image.