writerrhiannon 's review for:

Quiverfull: Inside the Christian Patriarchy Movement by Kathryn Joyce

4.0

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I was first introduced to the concept of the Quiverfull movement about seven years ago in a feminist magazine, so when I stumbled upon Kathryn Joyce's 2009 book "Quiverfull (Inside the Christian Patriarchy Movement)" I was interested in learning more. Keeping an open mind with the expectation that there would be doctrine I don't believe in, I wanted to find out for myself what the movement was all about.

The first half of the book is packed full of the multiple schisms and branches of Christian religion. Not knowing my Protestant from my Episcopalian, I tried to follow along in explanation of their differing beliefs, but did become a bit confused as to how they define themselves. However, I know this is no fault of the author, but rather the fact that a full religious history would be quite an undertaking. Joyce merely ties together the fact that each of the branches she outlines embrace the belief of a submissive wife. Filled with proclamations from pastors and quotations from the Bible, it is easy to see why the female followers of these congregations accept their submission as their religious duty. Trying to stay open minded, my red flag was waving frantically, but I read on. Then Joyce proceeds to tell the harrowing story of Mark and Jennifer Epstein and pastor Doug Phillips' personal attack on their marriage, specifically Jennifer's refusal to fully submit to her violent husband. And now I am begin to get frustrated. So I gave myself a little pep talk "Ok, ok. I knew it was going to get me worked up, but keep trucking along because what I really want to know about is the mass production of humans."

To read my full review, go here: http://www.ivoryowlreviews.blogspot.com/2013/04/quiverfull-inside-christian-patriarchy.html