Christian Feminism

I was in a class recently where someone said "Christian feminism is an oxymoron."

This didn't sit well with me, so instead of confronting the person over Zoom with a hostile, half-formed argument, I just started writing.

Merriam-Webster defines feminism as "the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes." I see no problem with this definition. Men and women should be equal. After all, Genesis 1:27 says,

"So God created man

in his own image;

he created him in the image of God;

he created them male and female."

Men and women were both created in the image of God. For that reason, men and women are inherently equal and should be treated as such.

In addition to that, we are all equal in Christ. He died for the sins of ALL PEOPLE. Which obviously means he values all people. Galatians 3:27-29:

"For those of you who were baptized into Christ have been clothed with Christ. There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male and female; since you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, heirs according to the promise."

The Bible makes in clear that in the eyes of God, all people have equal value and worth.

Now pardon me for a second as I climb up on this soap box.

I think what most people consider "Christian feminism" to be would be more aligned with radical feminism in mainstream culture. The dictionary definition of feminism has been hijacked into a movement whose final goal is to overthrow the oppressive patriarchy. It's almost as if they aren't just calling for equality, but for the complete usurpation of men. I know that not everyone who calls themselves a feminist would agree with this; in fact, I think the majority would say that's going too far. However, the radical movement is more outspoken, and is therefore more closely identified with the formal feminist movement. By looking at this particular feminist movement, it can be very easy to see why some would say that "Christian feminism" is an oxymoron. It doesn't align with Christian values, such as the idea that both men and women are created in the image of God with equal value.

I want to look at Christian feminism more closely, and hopefully explain why I believe that Christian feminism should be a thing, but it needs to align with Scripture, not culture. (Disclaimer- I know that a lot of things following this are largely contested and that you may not agree with my interpretation of Scripture, and that's okay. This is not an essential doctrine for salvation, it just happens to be something I'm passionate about.)

DIFFERENT ROLES, EQUAL VALUE

It is fairly obvious that men and women are given different roles by God. I mean, just look at anatomy. Men and women cannot physically do the same things. But even beyond that, especially in the New Testament, God gives men and women different roles. In Ephesians 5, wives are to submit to their husbands and their husbands are supposed to love their wives as themselves (Ephesians 5:22-24).

Then there's the roles of men and women in the church. This is a very complicated issue that I could write a lot about (and I have), but the most important thing in my opinion is that men and women have different roles. Men are called to be the head of the church as Christ is the head of the body, and women are called to submit to their authority. I know how that sounds, and believe me, there's a part of me that wants to violently rebel against it. However, if men are leading in step with the Holy Spirit and as Christ led, submission shouldn't be a duty. It should be a natural response. I mean, as Christians we submit ourselves to the authority of God, so if a man is leading in a Godly manner as he should be, submission shouldn't be something to push against.

I know that the topic of women as pastors is where this gets the most controversial, and for that reason, I'm not going to spend a lot of time on it. To summarize my opinions based on what I've read in the Bible and the outside research I've done, I believe that men are to be the head of the church, but that women can and should teach the Word of God (For a great resource that talks more about this by walking through scripture, check out the "Verity" podcast by Phylicia Masonheimer. She's got a whole series on women's issues and this one in particular is fantastic.).

Women and men have different roles, but that doesn't mean that they aren't equal. Both are necessary for the furthering of the gospel.

BADA** WOMEN IN THE BIBLE

In my opinion, some of the greatest stories in the Bible revolve around women. I mean, you can keep your Wonder Woman and Black Widow. I'll take Jael with her tent peg or Deborah the judge any day. These were women who spoke truth to men and weren't afraid to get their hands dirty. Deborah stood up and led the Israelite army into battle when Barak, the army leader, was too chicken to do it alone. And Jael hammered a freaking tent peg into the head of Sisera, the commander of the opposing army. Then there's Ruth and Tamar and Rahab and Mary and Junia and Phoebe. The Bible is not short on women who submitted to God's authority and accomplished some pretty incredible things.

We also see shining examples of men and women working together in the New Testament. My personal favorite is Priscilla and Aquila in the book of Acts. Priscilla and Aquila were tentmakers in Corinth who hosted Paul when he was there. They even accompanied him on some of his journeys to other churches. But my favorite part of Priscilla and Aquila's story comes at the end of Acts 18:

"Now a Jew named Apollos, a native Alexandrian, an eloquent man who was competent in the use of the Scriptures, arrived in Ephesus. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately about Jesus, although he knew only John’s baptism. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. After Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained the way of God to him more accurately."

Acts 18:24-26

Priscilla and Aquila taught the Word of God. Both of them. Priscilla, the woman, and Aquila, the man. They both preached the gospel. Did I make it clear enough? No? Okay, I'll say it again. THEY BOTH PREACHED THE GOSPEL.

Sorry, I'm enjoying this soap box a little too much.

In Romans 16, Paul singles out Priscilla and Aquila again saying,

"Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them."

Romans 16:3-4

This couple worked and sacrificed together in order to carry out what was laid out by Jesus in Acts 1:8: to bring the gospel to the ends of the earth.

The point I'm trying to make is that men and women have different structural roles, but both are called to share the gospel, and this is clearly exemplified in the New Testament, as well as throughout the Bible

THE CHURCH TODAY

One of the biggest problems I have with this ongoing debate over the role of women in the church is that while we're so busy arguing over whether or not women should be preaching, we're missing out on opportunities to share the love and salvation from God with the world. On top of that, we're showcasing a religion that's supposed to be built on peace and unity, but we're tearing each other down instead of building each other up. It causes the outside world to not want any part of us because we look exactly like them. We're having the same arguments and debates they are, only we're claiming to do it in the name of God.

I think we can all agree that this is not how we reflect Jesus to the world around us.

As Christians, we are all called to the same Great Commission:

"Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Matthew 28:19-20

That's it. Right there.

No matter who we are or what background we come from or what we do for a living, we are all called to the same thing: To love God and make his name great. Broadly speaking, that's how we fulfill God's purpose for our lives.

So while mainstream culture is focused on men vs. women or patriarchy vs. matriarchy, we should not be joining the debate, but we should be focusing in on the job given to us by Jesus. Love God and love our neighbor as ourselves. That is the only way we are going to be able to be a light in the world.

Christian feminism as it is in the Bible is not something to be scared of. It isn't something that we should be reacting against out of fear of inviting in a radical agenda. We should be embracing equality while loving the world around us, whatever that looks like wherever we are. We cannot get sucked in by secondary debates only to harm the name of Jesus to the world. We should stand up for all people because all people are made in the image of God and therefore have inherent value.

"I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

John 13:34-35

Sidney Hauk

Christian Feminist