Is Patriarchy Actually Biblical? Medieval Historian Beth Allison Barr Responds

Unbelievable?

Premier Unbelievable?

Christianity, Religion & Spirituality

4.6 • 2.3K Ratings

🗓️ 2 December 2025

⏱️ 74 minutes

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Summary

Luke Martin sits down with medieval historian and pastor’s wife Prof Beth Allison Barr (Baylor University) to explore how her research on women in late medieval England reshaped her views on “biblical womanhood”. Beth shares her journey from committed complementarian to outspoken critic, the personal cost of her husband losing his church job over a woman teaching Sunday school, and the backlash that followed her bestselling book The Making of Biblical Womanhood. They discuss Junia, women leaders in the early church, patriarchy and the fall, how to read Ephesians 5, and whether Christian faith can embrace elements of feminism. Beth also unpacks her new book Becoming the Pastor’s Wife and offers a hopeful vision of men and women serving together as full image-bearers of God in the church. Beth Allison Barr (PhD, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill), a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, is James Vardaman Professor of History at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, where she specialises in medieval history, women's history, and church history. The Making of Biblical Womanhood: https://amzn.to/41E8fYr Becoming the Pastor's Wife: https://amzn.to/4mX8vtG Marginalia: https://substack.com/@bethallisonbarr • Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast: https://pod.link/267142101 • More shows, free eBook & newsletter: https://premierunbelievable.com • For live events: http://www.unbelievable.live • For online learning: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/training • Support us in the USA: http://www.premierinsight.org/unbelievableshow • Support us in the rest of the world: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/donate 👉 Support thought-provoking conversations and help keep the show going at www.premierunbelievable.com/geolink/donate💡 🎧 Never miss an episode! Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast a www.premier.plus/unbelievable 🎙️ 🔗 Get bonus content, updates, fascinating articles, and early access to new episodes - absolutely free! Join now at www.premierunbelievable.com 📢 Social Links: Twitter: https://twitter.com/unbelievablefe Facebook: / https://facebook.com/premierunbelievable Instagram: / https://instagram.com/premierunbelievable Tik Tok: / https://tiktok.com/@premier.unbelievable

Transcript

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0:00.0	My dad died when I was nine years old and it broke something in me.
0:05.0	I spent lots of times homeless, causing even bigger rifts in the family.
0:10.0	I was out of control.
0:12.0	Green Pastures is a Christian charity providing homes and support for people facing homelessness across the UK.
0:20.0	As soon as I walked in that place,
0:21.6	I knew there was something different about it.
0:23.6	Through Green Pastures,
0:25.6	Andy found a home,
0:26.6	freedom from addiction,
0:28.6	and a new beginning in faith.
0:30.6	It's the best thing I've ever done.
0:31.6	It released me from that 23 years of addiction
0:35.6	and now I'm senior support worker here at Green Pastures Derby.
0:39.8	Find out more at greenpastures.com.uk.
0:46.2	Before the rush takes over, start your Christmas journey with Premier's Advent Moments' interactive calendar.
0:53.8	Open each door and step into the unfolding story of Jesus,
0:58.1	with daily challenges rooted in kindness and a verse that brings you closer to Bethlehem.
1:03.3	You'll also receive short emails of encouragement to help you stay centered through Advent.
1:08.8	Sign up at premier.org.uk slash advent
1:12.6	2025, brought to you by Sat 7 UK.
1:16.6	Today I'm joined by medieval historian and pastor's wife, Professor Beth Allison Barr.
1:22.6	We dig into women's leadership across church history, the early church's female ministers,
	...

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