Gender equality, women's empowerment and women's rights have gained popularity in current socio-political movements and ideologies (see MDG #3 and SDG #5) that aim to define and establish political, economic, personal, and social equality of the sexes, i.e., feminism. As a philosophy in the worldly agenda, feminism has known different interpretations as it has evolved. Early feminists championed women's right to vote, and as the philosophy evolved, feminists went further to demand equal treatment between men and women. Modern feminists go further in calling for the removal of the use of male language for God, female submission in marriage, the ordination of women, and reproductive rights (including, but not limited to, the right to abortion-on-demand) and, even the blurring of gender lines. The most radical feminists actively seek to overthrow any vestige of male dominance in society, oppose the biblical roles of husbands and wives, and promote LGBT. They deny any differences between men and women, teaching that any perceived differences are due solely to social conditioning. In fact, feminism has a positive aspect in its originality (proposed a solution to the real problem of inequality in a sinful society by giving women the basic resources God intended for humanity), but as it evolves, its new themes may have different levels of biblical support.
First of all, we intend no offense in our wording. However, adding a philosophical descriptor to theology is automatically suspect because it implies that theology is interpreted with the deliberate intention of supporting an ideology; that ideology comes first. Rather, we must adjust our philosophy/ideologies to match God's words and not the other way around. In the case of feminism, the term is often misused to describe several different attempts to alter the Bible toward a favored conclusion. Please note again that feminism as a philosophy may have themes that have varying levels of biblical support and others that present major problems. Proponents of feminist theology can claim legitimate support for at least some of their ideas. The problem arises when what the Bible says is stretched, taken out of context, or even ignored in favor of a feminist interpretation.
Let’s examine a few claims from feminists. One potential claim and likely critical attack on the Bible by feminists is the concept of reproductive rights, an extremely misleading term. Taken literally, the claim that women have the right to choose whether or not to have children and with whom, becomes biblically valid. However, in practice the term is further used to defend the right to abortion-on-demand, divorce and remarriage and, to some extent, to promote premarital or extramarital sexual relations. In such cases the claim becomes patently unbiblical since, to support it, much of what the Bible says must be abandoned altogether. The Bible strictly opposes the killing of an unborn child (Exodus 21:22–25; Jeremiah 1:5; Psalm 139:13–16 ) and God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16), adultery and all kinds of fornication (1 Corinthians 5:1).
On another hand, some feminists claim that marital submission makes women inferior to men. However, the Bible exhorts Christians to “submit to one another” (Ephesians 5:21) and clearly speaks of equal value and the worth of all humans. It is, however, important to note that Scriptures don’t advocate for sameness, but indicate that men and women are spiritually equal (Galatians 3:28). Men and women are given different and complementary roles within the family (Ephesians 5:21-33) and the Church (1 Timothy 2:12). Believers receive different spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12). But the fact that different people have different roles or different gifts does not indicate inequality. Rather, it is a demonstration of God’s wisdom and creative power. In the feminist interpretation, if the command to submit to one another is taken to the absolute and if one person cannot be subordinate to another without being inferior, feminists would expect parents to submit to their children and affirm that Jesus is not God since He submitted to the Father! This is a blatantly a very dangerous interpretation!
Along the same lines, another feminists’ claim that concerns God's order in the Church is the ordination of women. The role of women in the church and in the home is clearly stated. The fact that it does not include headship (1 Timothy 2:12), in no way makes it inferior to that of men. This claim is blatantly based on rejecting biblical teachings as outdated or invalid rather than its interpretation. The Bible does not imply that men can never learn from or be guided by a woman, but it does indicate that titles such as “pastor” cannot be rightfully claimed by women.
Moreover, according to feminists, referring to God as “He,” “Him,” or “Father” degrades the status of women. However, the Bible does not present God as literally and biologically male. Nor does it indicate that women are morally or spiritually inferior. God's choice to refer to Himself using masculine words in no way implies that men are superior to women. The best interpretation is that the role of “Father” better describes God’s intended relationship with us, more so than the role of “Mother.” Changing God's words simply to satisfy a gender-neutral preference is a dangerous form of Bible editing.
Having evaluated some themes in the theology of feminism, we can boldly assert that feminism which seeks to reshape the Bible according to a political agenda or personal preference, is based on arrogance and is the opposite of the call to the born-again believer to be a servant.
It is very unfortunate that many women today have bought into the lie that feminism will empower and liberate them. However, mobilizing in favor of abortion, renouncing God-given roles, and working to dismantle the family unit will not bring power or freedom. Obedience to God’s Word is far more empowering and freeing (Psalm 119:45).
So how should a Christian view gender equality and feminism? Well, a believing woman who seeks to obey God and walk in peace and grace should remember that she has equal access to all spiritual blessings in Christ (Galatians 3:28) and therefore, not allow herself to be used as a pawn in the worldly agenda of the feminist movement. In the same way, a believing man must uphold the nuclear family as a biblical model of society, promote true Christian values, and (if married) honor and cherish his wife and assume responsibility for protecting and providing for his family. In many ways, no two people, regardless of gender, can be said to have fully equal opportunities and access to everything. Aspects of feminism that empower women can easily find support in God's Word. Rebellion against God and the arrogance that seeks to place our own "self" above the Word of God leads not only to the obvious consequences of damaged relationships between husbands and wives, destruction of the family and the loss of respect for human life, but above all traps humanity in a spiritual condemnation to hell.
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Further Resources
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