Greg Anderson

What has to be remembered about most of the stuff that comes out of the CBMW site is that it is just re-packaged goods from John Winthrop’s Puritan theocracy in 17th century Massachusetts. Gone are the whipping post, the ducking stool, and the stocks; but the basic doctrine of male federal headship is still intact.

Even though Lepine tries to couch it in kinder and gentler 21st century terminology, the doctrine of absolute patriarchy is still the framework of his writings. Here’s a quote from John Winthrop’s speech to the Massachusetts General Court in 1645 on natural and civil liberty:

“Such is the liberty of the church under the authority of Christ, her king and husband; his yoke is so easy and sweet to her as a bride’s ornaments; and if through frowardness or wantonness, etc., she shake it off, at any time, she is at no rest in her spirit, until she take it up again; and whether her lord smiles upon her, and embraceth her in his arms, or whether he frowns, or rebukes, or smites her, she apprehends the sweetness of his love in all, and is refreshed, supported, and instructed by every such dispensation of his authority over her.”

Not much has changed in the 300 and some years from Puritan Massachusetts and CBMW. A husband is still priest, prophet, king, and federal head in authority over his wife. WAIT!!! they now concede that it’s no longer ok to “slap the little woman around”…