# Federal headship

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**Federal headship**, also known as **spiritual headship** or simply **headship** refers to a concept taught in [Christian theology](/source/Christian_theology), with respect to God, Jesus, man, and woman, that deals with the collective representativeness of a certain figure or race.

## In Christianity

In [Christianity](/source/Christianity), this concept has been used to explain the concepts of the [covenants](/source/Covenant_(biblical)) found in the [Bible](/source/Bible). In particular, it has been applied to passages such as [Romans](/source/Epistle_to_the_Romans) [5:12-21](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans+5:12-21), explaining the relation of all humanity with [Adam](/source/Adam), as well as the relation of redeemed humanity with [Jesus Christ](/source/Jesus_Christ), who is called the [last Adam](/source/Last_Adam). According to this understanding, as humanity's federal head Adam brought the entire human race into sin, misery, and death due to his disobedience.[1] Christ, in his [perfect obedience](/source/Active_obedience_of_Christ) to [God the Father](/source/God_the_Father), earned [eternal life](/source/Eternal_life_(Christianity)) and blessedness for all his people.[2]

The concept of headship can be found in the writings of the [Church Fathers](/source/Church_Fathers), including [Irenaeus](/source/Irenaeus)' *Against Heresies* and [Augustine](/source/Augustine_of_Hippo)'s *[City of God](/source/City_of_God_(book))*. The full theological articulation came in the time of the [Protestant Reformation](/source/Protestant_Reformation), and this doctrine is held by many Protestant churches, particularly in conservative [Reformed](/source/Continental_Reformed_Protestantism) and [Presbyterian](/source/Presbyterianism) churches, as well as those of [Conservative Anabaptism](/source/Conservative_Anabaptism).[3][4]

## See also

- [Covenant Theology](/source/Covenant_Theology)
- [Calvinism](/source/Calvinism)
- [Imputed Righteousness](/source/Imputed_Righteousness)
- [Original sin](/source/Original_sin)
- [Christian views on sin](/source/Christian_views_on_sin)
- [Head covering for Christian women](/source/Head_covering_for_Christian_women)

## References

1. Sproul, R.C., [Adam's Fall and Mine](http://www.the-highway.com/fall_Sproul.html)

1. Piper, J., [Adam, Christ and Justification, part 2](http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Sermons/ByDate/2000/22_Adam_Christ_and_Justification_Part_2/),

1. Enns, Peter. *The Evolution of Adam: What the Bible Does and Doesn't Say about Human Origins.* Ada, MI: Brazos Press, 2012.

1. Ruth, Merle (2022). [*The Significance of the Christian Woman's Veiling*](https://www.anabaptistresources.org/en/resources/details/986/the-significance-of-the-christian-womans-veil). [Harrisonburg](/source/Harrisonburg,_Virginia): Christian Light Publications. p. 17.

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