Ellul also presents feminist ideas, notably suggesting that the centrality of Mary in Christianity contributed to the establishment of patriarchy by creating a distinction between "ordinary" women and the mother of Jesus.
[1] The same occurred with economic issues, particularly with the rise of capitalism, as well as with religious matters, as other religions influenced Christianity.
[1] Christians, he argues, are called to subvert society by engaging in critical reflection and action "against the powers of money, political authority, and even the religious domain itself".
[4] The work is heavily influenced by the philosophy of Kierkegaard,[5][6] whom Ellul quotes directly in a passage questioning the "massification" of Christian conversion in the 4th century.
[6] Ellul also advances feminist ideas, notably by asserting that the centrality of Mary in Christianity facilitated the establishment of patriarchy by creating a distinction between "ordinary" women and the mother of Jesus.