October 3rd, 2025
by Matt Davis
by Matt Davis
As we head into a few weeks of looking at the family dynamic in Ephesians 5, this article provides a helpful background to God's commands to wives (submission and respect) and husbands (cherishing and loving).
I've long held that conservatism that is not rooted in the gospel can turn into something rather ugly. This article points to the principle when it compares how churchgoing conservative Protestant men and nominal (in name only) conservative Protestant men treat their wives. The results might surprise you, especially when you consider the picture that all kinds of media paint of the church going conservative Protestant men.
Here's the money paragraph: The significance of this finding is staggering. As it turns out, the men with the most “antiquarian” views on gender and the family actually do the best job caring for their spouses. They’re by far the least likely to abuse their wives. And even though they do less household labor, they do a better job than secular and less religious men at appreciating their wives.
This is not to say that church going conservative Protestants do not or are not capable of spousal abuse. Law enforcement has a vital role to play in protecting women from this, and pastors should be willing to confront any man who is committing this grievous sin. A wife who is in danger should feel free to go to both for protection and relief.
But on the whole, this is an encouraging reinforcement of the biblical ideal. Read the entire article and then consider how men who actively go to church and practice Ephesians 5 make this possible.
I've long held that conservatism that is not rooted in the gospel can turn into something rather ugly. This article points to the principle when it compares how churchgoing conservative Protestant men and nominal (in name only) conservative Protestant men treat their wives. The results might surprise you, especially when you consider the picture that all kinds of media paint of the church going conservative Protestant men.
Here's the money paragraph: The significance of this finding is staggering. As it turns out, the men with the most “antiquarian” views on gender and the family actually do the best job caring for their spouses. They’re by far the least likely to abuse their wives. And even though they do less household labor, they do a better job than secular and less religious men at appreciating their wives.
This is not to say that church going conservative Protestants do not or are not capable of spousal abuse. Law enforcement has a vital role to play in protecting women from this, and pastors should be willing to confront any man who is committing this grievous sin. A wife who is in danger should feel free to go to both for protection and relief.
But on the whole, this is an encouraging reinforcement of the biblical ideal. Read the entire article and then consider how men who actively go to church and practice Ephesians 5 make this possible.
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