Beyond Authority and Submission: Women and Men in Marriage, Church, and Society

Is it appropriate for a man to read a theological book written by a woman? Is a husband supposed to control his wife so she won’t dominate him? Is a wife’s chief purpose to help her husband achieve his goals? Should a woman earn a college degree, work outside the home, or be in a position of authority in a mixed workplace? Why are we asking these questions? Theologically conservative Christians want to embrace a biblical understanding of women and men, but the beliefs of Greeks, Romans, and Victorians have had undue influence on contemporary teaching. Damaging ideas and a narrow focus have created confusion for men and women alike. Rachel Green Miller believes that the dynamics of authority and submission are part of the biblical picture—but they aren’t the whole picture. As she examines and corrects conservative teaching on gender, she draws out equally important themes in Scripture that will strengthen our relationship as co-laborers in the kingdom of God.