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The Church’s Contribution to Domestic Violence: Submission, Headship, and Patriarchy

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Rape Culture, Gender Violence, and Religion

Part of the book series: Religion and Radicalism ((RERA))

Abstract

In this chapter, Daphne Marsden considers conservative Christian understandings of gender roles and relationships, and the way that these are rooted in biblically based teachings on male headship and female submission. Evaluating both complementarian and egalitarian understandings of Christian gender roles, she explores the use of certain biblical texts by evangelical Christians to validate patriarchal patterns of male hegemony, thereby justifying spousal violence and preventing abused women from seeking or receiving support. Interspersed throughout her discussion are the testimonies of Christian women impacted by gender violence, whose words illustrate first-hand some of the consequences that arise from conservative Christian teachings about gender roles. They also serve as a reminder that the lives of real people can be impacted significantly by theological and biblical debates around these teachings. Marsden’s chapter ends with some practical guidance on what churches can do to begin tackling spousal violence and the patriarchal ideologies that underpin it.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    All biblical references are from the New International Version, unless otherwise stated.

  2. 2.

    Interviewing was carried out in line with the ethics criteria for interviews of Laidlaw-Carey College, Auckland, especially in relation to respecting and ensuring confidentiality of the interviewees. In confirming their willingness to participate in the research, each woman signed a consent form that allowed me to use the interview material in related research and publications. In this material, the women’s names are pseudonyms to protect their anonymity. The thesis (Marsden 2013) is available online www.projectesther.co.nz.

  3. 3.

    The Danvers Statement, outlining Christian complementarian beliefs, was first published by the Council on Biblical Womanhood and Manhood. The full statement can be read in Grudem and Piper (1991, pp. 469–471).

  4. 4.

    For an earlier discussion of this debate, see Mickelsen and Mickelsen (1981).

  5. 5.

    Cervin’s article elicited a response from Grudem (1990), in which he reaffirmed his earlier stance.

  6. 6.

    For example, see Exod. 18:4; Deut. 33:7, 26, 29; Pss 20:2; 33:20; 121:1–2.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Project Esther Trust, Christchurch, New Zealand

    Daphne Marsden

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  1. Daphne Marsden
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Humanities, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

    Caroline Blyth

  2. Trinity Methodist Theological College, Auckland, New Zealand

    Emily Colgan

  3. Sheffield Institute of Interdisciplinary Biblical Studies, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom

    Katie B. Edwards

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Marsden, D. (2018). The Church’s Contribution to Domestic Violence: Submission, Headship, and Patriarchy. In: Blyth, C., Colgan, E., Edwards, K. (eds) Rape Culture, Gender Violence, and Religion. Religion and Radicalism. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-72685-4_5

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