Feminism came first and then Christian feminism followed. It began simply as a way for women to be treated fairly with the same respect and dignity as a man. But as the ball of thought kept rolling down the hill, it gathered more and more ideals over many years. In some cases, it became women wanting revenge instead of just equality. The question is, what is God’s role in Christian feminism? And how do we, as followers of him, respond?
What Is Christian Feminism?
The rise of the feminist movement in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries began the process for all women to investigate how they were being treated. Christian women followed suit. In the mid-nineteenth century, women became aware that they were not being protected and cared for on a cultural level. Early feminists fought for basic rights, such as the right to vote, but they didn’t want to take over men’s roles. They simply wanted to be respected as humans. Then in the twentieth century, things shifted to the idea of there being no distinction between men and women and even went to the extreme of women not needing men at all. Today, it seems like people want all gender lines erased permanently.
It seems that Christian feminists seek a softer form of feminism. Christian feminism is a form of theology that seeks to advance the equality of men and women morally, socially, spiritually, and in leadership. They emphasize a woman’s value in life as well as the Christian church. Their important issues involve the recognition of spiritual and moral abilities between men and women. But they also delve into reproductive rights, gender-neutral pronouns in the Bible, and the ordination of women.
Throughout history, women have been treated wrongly – often like second-class citizens that do not have the same rights as men. It was sinful for men to do this. They acted out of their pride to hold themselves as more important. Then women rebelled against this wrong and went too far in the opposite direction. In their own pride, they sought to lift themselves over men by saying that women are not only equal but superior because they didn’t need men for anything.
The Christian feminist movement typically points to how women were treated within the church throughout history. Men have made mistakes in their treatment of women. But God never said that a woman was subservient.
How does the Bible portray women’s and men’s roles in life as well as Christianity?
What Does the Bible Reveal about God's View of Women and Feminism?
In Genesis 2:20, a woman was originally designed to be a helper to man, but this didn’t mean subservient. The same word is used when the Bible talks about God being a helper to humans. And God is definitely not subservient to man. Helping others is a great and honorable trait.
The Old Testament points to many great women that had access to God and served him mightily. Deborah was a judge and a prophet of God that heard God’s voice and shared his words with others. Hannah had just as much access to God as her husband, Elkanah, and her faith was used to bring the prophet, Samuel, into the world. Queen Esther used her influence to save her people. Zelophehad’s daughters in Numbers 27 fought and won the right to their father’s inheritance even though according to tradition women by themselves couldn’t get an inheritance. In Exodus 1, when the law of the land decreed that male babies should be killed after birth, two brave midwives refused to take part. It is okay to stand up for justice when laws are ungodly.
In the New Testament, Jesus treated women with respect. In John 8, a woman was caught in the very act of adultery and a group of people wanted to stone her. Jesus didn’t look at this woman with contempt. He looked down and then out toward her accusers to ask them if they were without sin. If they were, then they could throw the first stone. They all left without anyone taking on the challenge.
Jesus spoke respectfully to the Samaritan woman at the well even though Jews didn’t associate with Samaritans. Sinful humans made the mistake of shutting out a group of people, but Jesus talked to everyone. When a woman who was considered unclean because she had been bleeding for twelve years approached Jesus, he spoke to her tenderly with much care and respect.
In Luke 10, Jesus allowed the same access to his teachings to Mary and Martha as he did to their brother Lazarus. He didn’t speak to Lazarus with higher regard. In fact, he even rebuked Martha for not sitting in on his teachings. Jesus allowed women to follow him and learn from him throughout his ministry on earth. Women were even the first to see him as the risen Lord. And later, Priscilla taught Scripture alongside her husband (Acts 18).
Throughout history, women have used their giftings to serve God and people in a variety of ways. They serve their home and families. They serve in the workplace. Some assist and some are CEOs. Your role in life is an individual thing. It’s not based on gender stereotypes. Let us be like Tabitha in Acts 9; she was described as being full of good works and charitable deeds.
I don’t believe that the bible depicts women and men in any way except equal in value. They may sometimes carry out different roles, but they are both beloved by the God of justice. Men and women were meant to complement each other, not be the same.
Is it Biblical for a Christian to Be a Feminist?
You can believe, just like Jesus did, that women are indeed equal to men. You can do what you can to see that women are treated fairly in life. God does want us to work for justice on this earth. When we see instances of inequality, we should fight it. But it isn’t Christlike to be anti-male or anti-female. Sin and pride will never solve any problems. Harmony happens when people live in the way they were designed to live by a loving and caring God.
Sometimes there are inequities in the world because humans run the world. Mistakes happen and people are often treated wrongly. It’s never wrong to speak out against wrongdoings. Ultimately, the war between men and women is another tool used by Satan to divide people. Jesus came to divide as well, but his form of division is between believer and unbeliever. He doesn’t divide based on any other human characteristic.
For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:26-28
Ultimately, the source of our worldview on any issue should be God and his Word. God shows no partiality based on outer characteristics, but he is always concerned with the heart.
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Jennifer Heeren loves to write and wants to live in such a way that people are encouraged by her writing and her attitude. She loves to write devotional articles and stories that bring people hope and encouragement. Her cup is always at least half-full, even when circumstances aren’t ideal. She regularly contributes to Crosswalk. Her debut novel is available on Amazon. She lives near Atlanta, Georgia with her husband. Visit her at her website and/or on Facebook.