Becoming the Pastor's Wife: Challenging the Norms with Beth Allison Barr

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: [email protected] In this insightful episode of Faithful Politics, hosts Josh Burtram and Will Wright welcome back historian and best-selling author Beth Allison Barr. Known for her groundbreaking book, The Making of Biblical Womanhood, Dr. Barr delves into her newest work, Becoming the Pastor’s Wife: How Marriage Replaced Ordination as a Woman’s Path to Ministry. The discussion explores the historical evolution of women's roles in the church, the intertwining of patriarchy with church culture, and the societal shifts that led to the emergence of the pastor’s wife as a key figure in evangelical spaces. Drawing parallels to medieval history and the Reformation, Dr. Barr provides a compelling narrative about the sacrifices and challenges women have faced in ministry. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in gender, faith, and the shifting dynamics of power within religious institutions.Pre-Order Beth's book: https://bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/becoming-the-pastor-s-wife/414910Guest Bio: Dr. Beth Allison Barr is a distinguished historian and the James Vardeman and Dow Chair of History at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. With a PhD from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, she is an expert in medieval history, women’s history, and church history. Her writing has been featured in prominent outlets such as USA Today, The Washington Post, and Christianity Today. She is best known for her bestselling book, The Making of Biblical Womanhood: How the Subjugation of Women Became Gospel Truth. Dr. Barr’s latest book, Becoming the Pastor’s Wife: How Marriage Replaced Ordination as a Woman’s Path to Ministry, examines the historical shifts that reshaped women’s roles in ministry and their enduring impact on contemporary church culture. Support Sarah Stankorb’s work and preorder Damned If She Does: Why Women Quit Church and What It Means for the Future of Religion, Releases September 15, 2026.  Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9798889837091Website: https://www.sarahstankorb.com/Support the showKeep the conversation going.Want to learn more about Faithful Politics, suggest a future guest, or connect with us directly?Visit our website:faithfulpoliticspodcast.comBrowse our bookstore, featuring books from many of our guests:faithfulpoliticspodcast.com/bookstoreSupport the show and help us keep these conversations going:patreon.com/cw/FaithfulPoliticsSubscribe for behind-the-scenes content, reflections, and updates:faithfulpolitics.substack.comContact the hosts:Josh Burtram, Faithful Host: [email protected] Wright, Political Host: [email protected] Faithful Politics:Instagram: faithful_politicsFacebook: FaithfulPoliticsPodcast