Episode 17: Why Headship Theology Is Dangerous for the Nations (And for Women)

Why is it that women are often more unleashed in overseas movement contexts than in Western churches? And what does that tell us about the theology we've accepted without examining?

In this episode, I'm wading into one of the most important — and most understudied and misunderstood — topics in global missions and the church: headship theology. I'll clearly define it, then address it honestly, from a perspective of my own learning. And yes, I'll make a case from the Bible for why I believes it needs to change.

In this episode:

✔️ The story of three widows in their 40s who started a movement in the Muslim world

✔️ The Sunday morning that gave me pause 

✔️ What headship theology actually means — authority, covering (and the final-decision doctrine often taught but isn't in Scripture)

✔️ Complementarian vs. egalitarian — both believe men and women are equal in value; the debate is about role

✔️ Why women are more unleashed in overseas movement contexts — and what that costs the nations when headship theology proponents stop them

✔️ Spiritual gifts have no gender label — and what that means for who gets to lead

✔️ What ezer and kephalē could actually mean — and why it matters

✔️ A quick honest look at 1 Timothy 2, 1 Corinthians 14, 1 Peter 3, and Ephesians 5

✔️ Why the submission passages are not a blank check — and why they've been dangerously misused in abusive situations

✔️ The curse argument — why building a theology on the fall instead of the garden doesn't make sense

✔️ The love and respect either/or framework — and why it doesn't hold up

✔️ What wives are really asking for when they say to their husbands, "I want you to be the spiritual leader"

✔️ A personal admission — my kids, my marriage, and the work I still have to do

✔️ The Reformation parallel — and why re-examining theology isn't the same as making it say whatever you want

✔️ The single women on the mission field point — and the inconsistency we need to name

Whew, this is a long one. A necessary one. Let me know your thoughts [email protected] 

Resources mentioned:

• From Genesis to Junia by Preston Sprinkle
• Theology of Women Academy with Dr. Cynthia Hester
• Neighbors and Nations Course
• Across the Street and Around the World book