Exploring Christian Lutheran theological framings that shape men’s perpetration of domestic violence through pastor perspectives

Abstract

This article explores how theological beliefs and practices within Christian Lutheran contexts shape men’s perpetration of domestic violence. Drawing on interviews and surveys with male pastors and one man who identified as a perpetrator, the study investigates how scripture and religious teachings influence attitudes and responses to violence. The research identifies gendered theological narratives, including biblical texts like Ephesians, as central to constructions of male authority, submission, and spiritual hierarchy. Pastors reported difficulty in identifying non-physical forms of abuse, and tension between divine teachings and cultural gender norms. Findings reveal how theology can both reinforce and challenge violence-supportive attitudes, highlighting the need for feminist, theological, and sociological approaches to address domestic violence in religious settings.