Affectionate Patriarchs

This interview with sociologist W. Bradford Wilcox at the University of Virginia might be of interest to those of my readers who are exploring feminist perspectives on evangelical Christianity. According to this sociologist’s findings, evangelical men are more committed to their marriages and families and less likely to engage in domestic abuse than any other demographic group.
Interviewer Doug LeBlanc asks Wilcox about the future of families in the evangelical world. And Wilcox sees three challenges to the continued strength of family life among evangelicals: high divorce rates, falling birthrates and insularity. Key quote:

Since the 1960s, birthrates have been falling among Christians. Too many Christians now think marriage is primarily about the emotional union between the spouses. This is wrong. Marriage is supposed to be a fruitful spiritual, emotional, and physical union between spouses that enlarges the kingdom of God in large part through the bearing and rearing of children. Married Christians should recall the first commandment God gave to his people: “Be fruitful and multiply.” Christians ought to recognize that children are a gift from God and act accordingly.
Thanks to Jeremy Frank of Letters from Babylon for the link and Doug LeBlanc of getreligion for the interview.

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