Background
Patriarchy—literally, “the rule of the father,” from the Greek patriarkhēs—is any systemic structure in which men or the eldest male hold the power, particularly over women, typically within a household but also in broader society. It has been with us since the time of Adam and Eve.
Scripture is clear that the man is head of his family. His wife is to obey him and the children should obey their parents.
Man is called to love his wife as Christ loves the Church. She will submit to his God-given authority.
Patriarchy Elucidated
The following points should be considered in a biblical patriarchal system:
- God reveals Himself as masculine, not feminine.
- God ordained distinct gender roles for man and woman as part of the created order.
- A husband and father is the head of his household, a family leader, provider, and protector.
- Male leadership in the home carries over into the church: only men are permitted to hold ruling positions in the church. A God-honoring society will likewise prefer male leadership in civil and other spheres.
- Since the woman was created as a helper to her husband, as the bearer of children, and as a “keeper at home”, the God-ordained and proper sphere of dominion for a wife is the household and that which is connected with the home.
- God’s command to “be fruitful and multiply” still applies to married couples.
- Christian parents must provide their children with a thoroughly Christian education, one that teaches the Bible and the biblical view of God and the world.
- Both sons and daughters are under the command of their father as long as they are under his roof or as long as they are the recipients of his provision and protection.
- Women should not vote.
- Higher education is not important for women.
- Unmarried adult women are subject to their fathers’ authority.
- Women should not have careers outside the home.
- Women should not serve in the military.
- Women should not serve in the government.
- Women should never attempt to correct or argue with their husbands.
- Women should not attend higher education (colleges and universities).
Hierarchy Is Baked into Creation
Adam’s headship in marriage was established by God before the Fall, and was not a result of sin.
- Eve was created as Adam’s helper
- Eve was created after Adam and is therefore secondary to him
- Eve was “taken from the man” and is therefore secondary to him
- Adam named Eve, making her subordinate to him.
I fully affirm The Danvers Statement. It covers biblical manhood and womanhood. You can read it at the link below.
Conclusion
Scripture makes it perfectly clear that a patriarchal system is the best. It has been the norm for thousands of years. Only with the rise of feminism in the 1960s did we see opposition to this system. The resulting immorality and destruction of the family were directly tied to feminist thought and activism.
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