Does Christianity Teach Male Headship?

This is the book I just finished, compiled by Don Browning. It is a collection of essays written by experts on the matter. The book had various Biblical interpretations ranging from “the Bible does not teach male headship” to “the Bible defines specific gender roles for male headship.”

I am still putting together my own thoughts on the matter. Thus far, after reading the Bible on this topic, it seems as though many of the verses could be taken out of context. Paul was speaking to a specific culture in Ephesians. And it is not just Ephesians that reference this relationship. Each verse needs to be read within the surrounding text as well as the whole Bible understanding the point of the writing and to whom it was originally directed. We like to simply strip verses from the text and then apply them to our personal lives today. Although the Bible has truth for all ages, we need to read it in context before we pull application from it.

An approach the book speaks contrary to “male headship” is that of the “equal-regard marriage” as an approach to family relationships. I won’t force my opinion on you, but from what empirical evidence has shown me, this seems to be the dual servant-like position that the Bible speaks of. Think about the fact that so many Christian marriages fail. One possible reason for this might be that we are living by a standard that wasn’t meant to be played out in male headship. I try to play out “my role” (I’m mocking the idea of roles) as wife the same regardless of what either interpretation suggests. There is something to what Christ has called men not necessarily the exalted Christ figure, but to the servant that Christ played here on earth, in which he sacrificed his being for those he loved.

If you’re curious, it is actually my husband’s approach that has made me think. I am thankful that he values my thoughts, insight, leadership (yes, I said leadership), love, and respect. I also value all of those things about him. I enjoy being a partner in all ways of life with him. It is my goal to serve him above myself, and he puts me before himself. So, I guess the whole male headship thing is not an issue for us…but wrestling is! ☺