I’ve been fascinated for a while about the concept of Christian Feminism.
It feels like an oxymoron to me.
Feminism has no roots in Christianity. It’s like being a Christian humanist or Christian Buddhist.
While the waves of feminism from the first of the 20th century to now have changed, the core notion that “we must do it ourselves” is feminism’s life blood.
Nothing in the feminist philosophy is birthed from humbling before the mighty hand of God. Who will exalt “you” in due time.
But I cannot deny secular feminism has fought huge injustices against women. When the Church should have been leading!
Gains such as property rights, voting rights, equal pay for equal work, protection against abuse, advances in education and in birth control have revolutionized the lives of women.
Matters modern women take for granted.
But we’ve also lost in the ebb an flow of feminism.
One, the current wave of feminism of mostly focused on abortion and sexual freedom.
We’ve also lost the value and power of monogamous marriage. Jezebel.com reports “For the first time in American history, more than half of new mothers under the age of 30 are unmarried.”
They question the value of marriage at all. In his book, “The Book That Made Your World…” Vishal Mangalwadi writes that monogamy in marriage was one of the greatest empowering tools for women and for Western Civilization.
As we leave marriage, we see more children at risk, more women in poverty and more women seeking shelter from abuse.
But I digress…
Modern feminism is not about empowering women but taking down men.
When the media was hyping the Nigerian “Bring Back Our Girls” campaign, I went over to NOW’s (National Organization for Women) web site hoping to find some word on how they planned to help, speak out, organize.
But the top stories were abortion and some wailing over the glass ceiling. The message hasn’t changed in 30 years.
Since I’ve been aware of modern feminism, the cry seems to have been “we want to be men!” all the while berating “we don’t need men.”
So it’s curious to me that Christian women embrace feminism. This kind of angry, we-don’t-need-men, we can do it on our own, we’re as good as men mantra.
In the past few years I’ve read articles by Christian feminist railing against the Church is it’s largely patriarchal leadership. Fists hammering any pulpit given to them, they demand move aside and “let them preach.” Or lead.
While I am for women to be all they can be and I despise religions or governments that oppress women, I don’t see demanding respect or leadership, or the right to “do what I want” as any Jesus methodology.
Jesus loved women. He honored women. But never once did He tell them to rail against the leadership of men or demand change in order to do what He’d called them to do.
Neither does Paul, who I believe also honored and loved women. He recognized God given authority and structure of men and women. He warns us of spiritual forces in heavenly places taking aim at us. We need to be in the right rank and file to wage spiritual warfare.
In John 12, Mary of Bethany rushes in to worship Jesus while He’s at Simon the Leper’s, a Pharisee, table. She ignores the men in the room, rebuffs the protocol, and breaks an expensive bottle of perfume over her Lord, weeping and worshipping.
The men grumble and complain, judge her. But Jesus defends her!
“Leave her alone!”
What do you want to bet Mary was justified?
See, women, we’re looking to the world’s systems, even the Church political system to justify us. But only Jesus can and will do that with purity.
If the Lord has called a women to preach or lead in the church, truly called her, won’t He make a way? I just can’t see a women standing before the Lord one day and hearing, “Well, I wanted you to preach but the men wouldn’t let you. So sorry.”
I’m sure there are many cases where we have missed His call, and yes, perhaps others have hindered us, but really, I think as we yield our hearts to Him, He will make a way.
I know that’s been my testimony.
Ladies, let’s not let our fears, our experience, our feelings judge our brethren. Or even judge what the Lord might be doing in heaven and the earth in regards to our place in His kingdom.
Look, we can barely do Jesus right let alone watering it all down with worldly philosophies.
Colossians 2:8 says, “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.”
We are called to so much more! Feminism is a worldly philosophy.
We are called to Matthew 5-7. The Sermon on the Mount Lifestyle. If we all, men and women, spent more time living as Jesus preached that day, who knows what power and effective change we’d wield.
Matthew 11:12 Jesus says, “From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force.”
You know our most violent tools? Prayer. Fasting. Knowing and living the Word. Worshipping at His feet like Mary.
If you feel some injustice has been perpetrated against you, pray. Be humble, meek, walk in humility.
If some patriarchal system is keeping you from God’s calling, seek Him. Is He really calling you? Is He directing you to a new place, toward a new season.
At the end of it all, ITS ABOUT HIM!!
Christianity is not a world philosophy, a cultural way of life, it’s about knowing and being in love with a person. The God-Man, Jesus the Christ.
Our greatest commandments are to love the Lord our God with all of our heart, mind, soul and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. John 15.
How are we doing? Is pounding the pulpit with feminist rhetoric accomplishing those things in our hearts?
I’m asking the questions. I’m certain I’m don’t find feminism and Christianity cohesive. But I’m trying to understand why my Christian sisters are grasping on to this philosophy.
Hear me: I’m for women to be all they can be!
But our posturing must be from Matthew 5, John 12, John 15.
In the midst of seeking Him, our hearts and minds are refined, renewed, our desires purified by His love.
Who knows how much the praying women, mothers and wives, sisters and friends exacted from generations past that we are enjoying now!
Are we doing the same for the women following us?
Are we clearing the path with our prayers or just pounding our fist demanding we be given something?
Since we have more single moms than ever. More women in abuse shelters than ever. I don’t think more feminist strides are necessary to end the trend.
More holiness, seeking Him, being on our knees before Him, worshipping, pouring out our hearts, praying must pave the path for our daughters coming after us.
I hate for them to pick up the scepter I’ve laid down because I wanted “men” to recognize me.
King Saul lost his kingdom, lost his mind, because he cared more what men thought than the Lord.
David, however, with all of his trials and mistakes, has the Kingdom forever through Jesus. A man after God’s heart, scripture tells us.
Why? Because he sought God and not men. He cared more for God’s opinion.
Women, arise to this place. Be who God has designed us to be: lovers of Jesus, true worshippers. Let Him handle the rest.
Song of Solomon 2:15: “Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that are ruining the vineyards, While our vineyards are in blossom.”
The foxes are spoiling the bloom when we let our hearts grow bitter and angry at men, or the current Church leadership. Or leave the tenants of the faith to embrace worldly philosophies.
And we will find we’ve not built up anything for our daughters but in fact ruined the vineyard of our hearts and theirs as well.
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Comments 6
Thank you so much for posting this! I wish every Christian woman could read this! It seems so many sisters are losing sight of how special they really are. God has given us the ability to share in his greatest power, that of giving life. Yet, feminism today degrades women who choose to stay home and raise their children. They cheapen life by declaring arrogantly that it’s “my body,” my life is more important than the unborn baby which most likely was conceived through their own poor choices. They put themselves in the place of God by choosing whether a child lives or dies. They degrade men by cheapening their role as father and their desire to provide and protect their family. They shamelessly proclaim that they can do without men all the while coveting their power. I believe todays so called Christian feminist is not interested in the church at all or it’s teachings, they want power. Isn’t that what Lucifer wanted? He wanted God’s power for himself without acknowledging God’s will. He could not answer Thy will be done, it was all about him. Thanks again for your insight!
Author
Thanks for commenting Ann.
This issue has been a life-long struggle for me. About 6 months ago I asked my husband, “Does God hate women?” And that question came after years of struggling while having the inability to define that question, that struggle. A couple of months later I was reading a book with some girlfiends, and we learned while reading this book that Proverbs 31 may not actually be a list of impossible rules, but something Jewish men use to bless and thank their wives. While we discussed that chapter together, I could sense that was something significant was happening. And I watched as women who have grown up in the church released a lot of unrealistic expectations and disappointment with themselves. We are in our thirties, have children of our own, and have grown up with the idea that women are 2nd class, less than. I mean, I had to actually ask my husband if God hates women. Because even though I didn’t want to voice it, that questions was always at the back of my mind.
I don’t know which authors you are talking about, but if Sarah Bessey’s “Jesus Feminist” is one of them, then I would like to tell you the rest of my story. I sat in a Starbucks, read the first chapter of her book, and started crying, in public!! For the time in 30+ years, I drove home with a new idea in my mind! Wow, Jesus actually LOVED women, all on his own. I mean, he DOESN’T think less of me by virtue of my gender. WOW!!
I do not get the sense at all that she suggests intertwining Christianity and Modern Feminism. In fact, she had to distance herself from modern feminism in the book. I have NO inclination to support abortion, I think it’s terrible for women and the babies. I have NO inclination to support single-motherhood and I mourn the loss of healthy family structures. But, as a church, we need to recognize that our discussion and treatment of women has cost us, it has hurt a lot of women over the years, and the discussion around it needs to change.
Well, thanks for listening to me rant!
Author
Kelly, thanks for sharing your story. I’m thrilled you’ve come to a revelation and deeper understanding of God’s love for you and all women!
It grieves me you and your friends grew up thinking you were second class citizens.
I’ve not read Jesus Feminist yet, but downloaded it.
My only really objection is the word feminist. We don’t need the world’s philosophies and terminology to highlight what’s wrong in the church.
The word feminist implies ideas and philosophies that are not congruent with the church.
However, I agree wholeheartedly more can be done in the Faith to elevate women — not just that they are wives and moms — but called of God for His kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven!
Blessings to you!!
Rachel
I agree with this post–especially this part: “If some patriarchal system is keeping you from God’s calling, seek Him. Is He really calling you? Is He directing you to a new place, toward a new season.”
If Christ wants something to happen, He will make it so. Like you, I’m thankful for the women who paved the way for us to be heard in our culture today, but the angry nature of many secular feminists is disturbing.
Julie Coleman’s book, Unexpected Love, is a great read about Jesus’ interactions with women. He definitely was not wimpy nor abusive towards them.
http://juliecoleman.org/books/unexpectedlove/
Author
Melodie, thank you! I’ll check out Julie’s book.