Hidden Desires: Women and Submission in Fiction Literature

Host Jerry Eicher of Anabaptist Theological Perspectives examines the cultural and theological tensions between contemporary feminism and traditional Christian teachings about gender, marriage, and sexual desire. Drawing on Genesis 3, pastoral counseling, and popular Christian and secular voices, the episode probes why many women are drawn to narratives of domination in fiction and how that intersects with real-life marital dynamics. Eicher engages with the work of Michael Foster (and his references to Joomi Kim and Hilary Lane), discusses titles such as Redeeming Love and Fifty Shades of Grey, and reads a testimony from Autumn Christian about longing for committed, authoritative love. Key points include the difference between abuse and biblical authority, the pastoral implications for church leadership and marriage counseling, and questions about male leadership, female desire, and cultural influence. Listeners can expect theological reflection, cultural critique, and practical conversation for pastors, couples, and readers interested in how sexuality, power, and faith interact in contemporary Christian life.