Divine Order, Divine Myth: The Necessity Of Gender Paradigms In The Study Of Protestant Fundamentalist Thought

Protestant Fundamentalism is a religious movement that has enjoyed a particular American resurgence over the last few decades. Among the most noteworthy and, perhaps, controversial aspects of this movement is its espousal of traditional, hierarchical gender roles (i.e., female submission to male leadership). This thesis will argue that Fundamentalism's very existence is closely connected to the way that the classifications "male" and "female" are understood, perpetuated, and justified, thereby fostering certain arrangements of power, order, and privilege. Using the Promise Keepers and other all-female groups like them as a modern case study, I argue that Fundamentalism's extraordinary ability to create and re-create mythic discourse ensures its very existence. Because gender is the primary vehicle through which much of this mythic discourse takes place, a study of Protestant Fundamentalism must, of necessity, acknowledge gender as the powerful social force that it is.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts in Religious Studies

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Religious Studies

Year

1999

Author dc:creator

• Smith, Leslie Elizabeth

Contributors dc:contributor

• Russell McCutcheon

• Religion

Statement dc:rights

• © Leslie Elizabeth Smith

Repository record dc:identifier

https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/1009

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:bearworks.missouristate.edu:theses-2010