(OPINION) In a recent sermon delivered at Trinity Fellowship in Amarillo, Texas, Pastor Jimmy Evans made headlines by claiming that Jesus, the Son of God, was “wrong” on two occasions, with His mother, Mary, being right.
This provocative statement, discussed in a podcast episode of The Roys Report hosted by Julie Roys with guest Lance Ford, has sparked significant debate within Christian communities due to its theological implications and its connection to Evans’ broader teachings on submission and authority.
This article explores the context of Evans’ claims, the theological concerns raised, and the broader implications for evangelical teachings on leadership and submission.
Jimmy Evans, a well-known pastor and founder of XO Marriage, has long emphasized the importance of submission to authority in his teachings.
In the sermon in question, Evans argued that those in authority—whether spiritual leaders or, in this case, Jesus’ mother—often possess divine insight that subordinates must follow.
To illustrate this, he cited two biblical events: Jesus staying behind at the temple at age 12 (Luke 2:41-52) and the wedding at Cana where Jesus turned water into wine at Mary’s prompting (John 2:1-11).
Evans’ sermon was not delivered in isolation. His views on submission have been controversial before, notably in a widely publicized meeting at Daystar TV, where he supported president Joni Lamb’s authority over her son, Jonathan Lamb, claiming Joni was “the voice of God” to him.
This incident, which garnered over 700,000 views on YouTube, highlighted Evans’ tendency to elevate human authority to near-divine status, a theme that reappears in his recent sermon
The claim that Jesus, who is affirmed in orthodox Christian doctrine as sinless and divine, could be “wrong” is a significant departure from traditional theology.
Julie Roys, in her podcast, emphasized that this assertion “flies in the face of established orthodox Christian doctrine,” which holds that Jesus, as the sinless Son of God, could not err in a moral or spiritual sense.
Lance Ford, an author and church planter, joined Roys to unpack the theological errors in Evans’ sermon, describing it as a “masterclass on ignoring Jesus” and a continuation of a “false doctrine of covering and submission.”
Evans’ interpretation of the temple incident and the wedding at Cana raises several concerns:
The Temple Incident (Luke 2:41-52): In this passage, 12-year-old Jesus stays behind in Jerusalem to discuss matters with religious teachers, causing His parents to search for Him anxiously.
Evans suggests that Jesus was “wrong” for not informing Mary and that His submission to her afterward proves her authority over Him. However, the text does not indicate that Jesus sinned or erred.
Instead, it highlights His divine identity and purpose, as He states, “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49). His subsequent obedience to His parents reflects His humility, not a correction of wrongdoing.
The Wedding at Cana (John 2:1-11): Evans claims that Jesus was reluctant to perform the miracle of turning water into wine and that Mary’s insistence revealed her superior knowledge of His calling.
Yet, Jesus’ response, “My hour has not yet come” (John 2:4), does not imply He was wrong but rather that He was operating according to a divine timetable. His decision to perform the miracle demonstrates His compassion and authority, not submission to Mary’s directive.
By framing these events as instances where Jesus was “wrong,” Evans risks undermining the doctrine of Christ’s sinlessness and divinity, which are foundational to Christian theology.
Evans’ sermon is part of a broader teaching that elevates submission to human authority to an extreme degree.
He argues that “sometimes God will tell an authority something He won’t tell you,” suggesting that leaders possess unique divine insight that subordinates must obey unquestioningly.
This perspective aligns with the “covering” doctrine, which has roots in the 1960s and 1970s charismatic communities and the teachings of figures like Watchman Nee.
According to this doctrine, individuals must remain under the “covering” of a spiritual authority, and questioning that authority equates to rebellion against God.
Critics, including Roys and Ford, argue that this teaching distorts biblical leadership and opens the door to spiritual abuse.
Ford points out that Jesus’ model of leadership was one of servanthood, not domination (Mark 10:42-45).
The New Testament emphasizes mutual submission among believers (Ephesians 5:21) and warns against leaders who “lord it over” others (1 Peter 5:3).
Evans’ emphasis on unilateral submission, particularly when coupled with claims of divine authority for leaders, risks creating environments where power is abused and dissent is silenced.
Evans’ sermon cannot be fully understood without considering his involvement with Daystar TV and Joni Lamb.
In 2023, a recorded meeting revealed Evans and Lamb pressuring Jonathan and Suzy Lamb to submit to Joni’s authority, even to the point of endorsing her controversial marriage to Doug Weiss.
During this meeting, Evans repeatedly called Joni “the voice of God” to her son, a claim that many, including Roys, labeled as heretical.
The meeting, which was secretly recorded and later released by The Roys Report, exposed what critics describe as spiritual abuse—using scripture and authority to manipulate and control others.
The parallels between the Daystar incident and Evans’ recent sermon are striking.
In both cases, he employs scripture to argue that submission to human authority is paramount, even when that authority’s decisions are questionable.
This pattern has led to accusations that Evans is promoting a “heretical submission doctrine” that prioritizes power dynamics over biblical truth.
