Episode 253: The 93% Myth: That Stat That Says Fathers Are More Important Than Mothers Is Made Up!

Bare Marriage

Ever heard the stat from “a recent study” that found that, when a husband comes to Christ first, in 93% of cases the wife and kids follow, but when the wife comes to Christ first, it’s only 17%? That stat is EVERYWHERE, quoted by the head of the SBC; heads of seminaries; heads of counseling organizations. The problem? No one ever cites the original source. So today Beth Allison Barr and Miranda Zapor Cruz, both academics looking into gender relations in church, join me to try to track down the source. And spoiler alert: People seem to have made this up about 30 years ago—and they keep quoting it! We look at why this matters, and what happens when churches assume this stat is true.

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THINGS MENTIONED:

• Miranda Zapor Cruz’ article for MissioAlliance: The Myth of the 93%
• Julie Roys’ podcast talking with Amanda Cunningham
• Tim Clinton Clip
• Danny Akin citing the “stat”
• Josh Howerton clip (around 20:15)
• J.D. Greear clip
• The Baptist Press article
• The Orthodox Barbie clip
• The Christ Church of the Valley handbook with the “stat”
• Matt Chandler saying he preaches to men: (around 36-37 minutes)

ABOUT MIRANDA ZAPOR CRUZ:

• Find Miranda Zapor Cruz on Facebook
• Order her book Faithful Politics

ABOUT BETH ALLISON BARR:

• Find Beth Allison Barr on Threads
• Pre-order Becoming the Pastor’s Wife
• Our podcast on The Making of Biblical Womanhood

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