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Christianity in the Round: How Dutch women navigate and negotiate the traditional systems to envision a better Christian faith

van Egmond, Anne Sofie LU (2025) SIMZ21 20251
Graduate School
Abstract
This thesis focuses on the experiences of Christian women in the Netherlands regarding their religion, faith and daily lives – especially within the (envisioned) family. Through Bible study discussions and individual interviews, 11 women shared how they navigated the traditional systems at work within each of these spheres, how they negotiated their own understandings of each and how they would change and improve each of them were they to be given a voice and a chance. The main systems that my respondents had to deal with – either aligning with or
opposing – were wetticisme and complementarianism, two systems that maintained the
patriarchal order based on (male) domination and (female) subordination. The Christianity my respondents... (More)
This thesis focuses on the experiences of Christian women in the Netherlands regarding their religion, faith and daily lives – especially within the (envisioned) family. Through Bible study discussions and individual interviews, 11 women shared how they navigated the traditional systems at work within each of these spheres, how they negotiated their own understandings of each and how they would change and improve each of them were they to be given a voice and a chance. The main systems that my respondents had to deal with – either aligning with or
opposing – were wetticisme and complementarianism, two systems that maintained the
patriarchal order based on (male) domination and (female) subordination. The Christianity my respondents envisioned subverted these hierarchical systems in order to centre equality, partnership, sincerity, connection and God’s guidance in all spheres of life. This articulated theology was characterised by sincere belief and Bible understanding (Bielo, 2011), centred on equal and shared responsibility as described by Russell (1993) and structured according to Turner’s (1969) anti-structure and communitas. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
van Egmond, Anne Sofie LU
supervisor
organization
course
SIMZ21 20251
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Bible study, Christianity, Church in the Round, Church Tradition, Feminist Theology, Social Anthropology, Womanhood
language
English
id
9201968
date added to LUP
2025-06-25 14:27:13
date last changed
2025-06-25 14:27:13
@misc{9201968,
  abstract     = {{This thesis focuses on the experiences of Christian women in the Netherlands regarding their religion, faith and daily lives – especially within the (envisioned) family. Through Bible study discussions and individual interviews, 11 women shared how they navigated the traditional systems at work within each of these spheres, how they negotiated their own understandings of each and how they would change and improve each of them were they to be given a voice and a chance. The main systems that my respondents had to deal with – either aligning with or 
opposing – were wetticisme and complementarianism, two systems that maintained the 
patriarchal order based on (male) domination and (female) subordination. The Christianity my respondents envisioned subverted these hierarchical systems in order to centre equality, partnership, sincerity, connection and God’s guidance in all spheres of life. This articulated theology was characterised by sincere belief and Bible understanding (Bielo, 2011), centred on equal and shared responsibility as described by Russell (1993) and structured according to Turner’s (1969) anti-structure and communitas.}},
  author       = {{van Egmond, Anne Sofie}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Christianity in the Round: How Dutch women navigate and negotiate the traditional systems to envision a better Christian faith}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}