The Headship of Men and the Abuse of Women: Are They Related In Any Way?

“In this book, Kevin Giles shows how biblical texts on male headship have often been misinterpreted and used to perpetrate the abuse of women by Christians globally and especially in the developing nations. . . . I highly recommend this book for use all over the world.”

—Diphus Chemorion, Associate Professor and Dean of Faculty of Theology, St. Paul’s University, Limuru, Kenya



“Those of us who have worked long in this field know how difficult it is to bring the evidence to a wider Christian public. Yet it has to be done. Here it is done with care, biblical acumen, and compassion. I hope the book will become a seminary text, for the next generation of pastors, lay leaders, and counselors who must be given the biblical tools to help to turn the tide.”

—Elaine Storkey, Newnham College, Cambridge University, author of Scars Across Humanity: Understanding and Overcoming Violence Against Women



“Pastor and theologian Kevin Giles reveals how belief in the unbiblical doctrine of male headship often leads to physical and sexual abuse in the church and the home. . . . Every Christian in a position of influence or leadership should read this book before the next physical or sexual abuse scandal rocks your denomination like it did mine.”

—Wade Burleson, Pastor, Southern Baptist Convention, USA, author of Fraudulent Authority



“This small book is packed full of critical information, important truths, needed challenges, and helpful correctives as it relates to how concerned Christians should think about the topic of domestic abuse. It is a must-have for clergy and seminary students.”

—Nancy Nason-Clark, Professor Emerita, Department of Sociology, University of New Brunswick



“A nation, church, and family can be measured by its treatment of women. Despite gains made worldwide, women still encounter tragic levels of abuse even in Christian communities. With a long history of advancing the biblical basis for women’s equal leadership, Kevin Giles turns his incisive mind to the #MeToo and #ChurchToo crisis. Given that more than 80 percent of the world follow a faith tradition—most of which support male-authority, Giles critiques those with the greatest influence—male religious leaders. Those who speak for God require the greatest accountability. It is to them that this book is addressed. It is to all of us, that this book informs.”

—Mimi Haddad, President, CBE International



“I warmly commend this book. I invited Kevin and Lynley Giles to Kenya and Uganda in 2018 to speak at conferences for clergy and their wives on marriage in a context where domestic abuse and violence is common, and sadly all too often in clergy homes. From the Scriptures, and from their over fifty years of marriage they ministered powerfully to those present. What they said and how they related to each other as equal partners in their marriage opened up possibilities hitherto not envisaged by so many clergy couples. What was so amazing was the number of men who recognized that their selfishness and determination to have their own way had resulted in a very unhappy marriage and it was they who needed to change for marital love to flourish. In his discussion of the abuse of women in the developing world, Kevin recounts this story.”

—Patti Ricotta, President and Co-Founder, Life Together International



“I commend Kevin Giles for producing a well-researched and thoughtful book on how Christian churches need to recognize domestic and family violence and respond and refer appropriately. The history of discrimination against women in the churches has created generations of women and girls who have come to believe that they are beneath and inferior to men and as a consequence have accepted their marginalization and abuse in one way or another. Kevin Giles forcefully argues that church leaders today must take responsibility for this diminishment of women that all too often has allowed, if not encouraged, domestic and family violence. The persuasive interpretation of the Bible Dr. Giles gives promotes a liberating understanding of the position of women and girls and provides a charter for gender equity and the recognition of the potential of women as faith-community leaders. I very much hope that his book generates honest and open debate on domestic and family violence in our churches that results in church leaders openly opposing ideas that can result in the abuse of women.”

—Annabel Taylor, Research Professor of Gendered Violence, Queensland Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research