The LaHayes framed feminine surrender in marriage as theological necessity

Evidence

For the LaHayes, women’s subordination was theological, social, and sexual: “The very nature of the act of marriage involves feminine surrender.” In language that would resurface in countless subsequent books on evangelical masculinity, the LaHayes assured men that women desired their heroic masculine leadership, in the bedroom and beyond: “Lurking in the heart of every girl (even when she is grown up) is the image of prince charming on his white horse coming to wake up the beautiful princess with her first kiss of love.” — Kristin Kobes Du Mez, Jesus and John Wayne, 211

Categorization

• XREF: This ‘prince charming’ romanticization of male dominance is a through-line that later books on evangelical masculinity will echo — expects to see it resurface in later chapters.