Date of Award

1998

Publication Type

Master Thesis

Degree Name

M.A.

Department

Religious Studies

Keywords

Religion, General.

Supervisor

Muldoon, Maureen,

Rights

info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess

Abstract

This thesis explores the extent to which this egalitarian philosophy of ministry and leadership was operative in the concrete life of the Salvation Army in Britain between the 1870s and 1930. This work argues that Salvationists, including the Booths themselves, held Victorian and evangelical assumptions about gender and authority which were at odds with any widespread implementation of sexual equality within the movement. While women and men occasionally shared a preaching ministry, most Army tasks were assigned on the basis of gender rather than equality. Men assumed administrative and decision-making roles whereas women undertook responsibilities consistent with sacrificial service. Furthermore, the denomination's acceptance of the biblical concept of male headship led to women's subordinate status in the domestic and public life of the organization. In the end, these cultural and theological beliefs were largely responsible for the Salvation Army's failure to realize meaningful equality between the sexes. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)Dept. of Religious Studies. Paper copy at Leddy Library: Theses & Major Papers - Basement, West Bldg. / Call Number: Thesis1998 .E27. Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 39-02, page: 0366. Adviser: Maureen Muldoon. Thesis (M.A.)--University of Windsor (Canada), 1998.

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