Feminism: Equality not Hierarchy, Godly not Ungodly

Some people are uncomfortable calling themselves a feminist. Perhaps it stems from their understanding of feminism. Do you see feminism as advocacy for equality and freedom, following Jesus, or do you see it as an enemy to Jesus? Do you see feminism as promoting godliness or ungodliness?

Test yourself: How do you see this image?

Rosie the Riveter Image: https://www.rawpixel.com/designs/rosie?page=1&path=1523&sort=curated

A. Woman aiming to have power over men, to rule over men. The woman is prepared to fight against men. The image challenges the traditional gender role of female submission. She is not following a man's aspirations and leadership.

B. Woman aiming to have power over herself, to have freedom to rule over her own life. The woman is prepared to fight for herself. The image shows a woman's strength, determination, and female empowerment. She is pursuing her own goals and aspirations.

C. Woman aiming to have the power to help the WW2 war effort by entering the workforce. The woman is prepared to fight for the nation. The image shows women as capable and strong workers. She is pursuing the nation's goals.

Your (unscientific) Results:

A: You have a patriarchal hierarchical world view and likely oppose feminism.

B: You have an egalitarian world view and may or may not see feminism related to equality

C: You have a historically accurate view without gender stereotypes

What is Feminism?

The Oxford dictionary defines feminism as the advocacy of women's rights on the basis of the equality of the sexes. It is about women having the same rights and freedoms as men.

Why oppose feminism?

In some cases, the opposition comes from the patriarchy in religion. Here are a few reasons why Christians may oppose feminism:

• Feminism is ungodly; God's design is for women to be submissive, and a wife must be secondary to a husband.

• Feminism encourages a dislike or hatred of men.

• Feminism aims to establish a female hierarchy where women rule over men.

• Feminism oppresses men or shows a prejudice against men.

• Feminism exaggerates the disadvantages suffered by women; women are not a minority.

Why not be a feminist?

• Feminism is godly; God's design is for women and men to be fruitful in unity and partners in having dominion over the earth; "God blessed them [granting the man and woman certain authority] and said to them both, “Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth, and subjugate it [putting it under your power]; and rule over (dominate) the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and every living thing that moves upon the earth.” (Genesis 1:28). After the Fall, man desired to usurp God's place and become a ruler. "Your desire will be for your husband, yet he will rule over you (Genesis 3:16b). Feminism encourages a woman to see herself as equal, rejecting one-way submission in favour of mutual partnership, yielding to one another in love. "Submit to each other out of respect for Christ" (Ephesians 5:21, following the example of Roman wives who submit to their husbands.

• Feminists do not hate men; they hate male hierarchical power structures

• Feminists aim to eliminate all hierarchies, so that no gender rules over another gender, but God rules over all. Men and women are interdependent on one another as equals. "For just as woman came from man, so man is now born of woman. But all things come from God" (1 Corinthians 11:12)

• Feminists do not support opposition to those in weaker positions; feminism opposes all prejudice against any person based on sex or gender. Prejudice implies inequality. Losing a privilege and becoming equal to others is not oppression. Uplifting the lowly to an equal place is not hurting or hating others. Jesus uplifted the lowly.

• While some women are not oppressed, females do face disadvantages in our society, culture, and religion. Jesus overturned these inequities.

Conclusion:

Why Not? Button for 1975 International Women's Year

Don't be afraid of the word feminism. Feminism is about equality, and equality is a central message of the Bible. Christian feminists see that the Bible says God does not show preference or favouritism, and does not discriminate on the basis of biologically determined characteristics such as sex and race. God created all humans as equals, and God looks at the heart, not at outward appearance. Jesus feminists base their view of equal rights for women and men on the words and example of Jesus. In Christ, there is no more male and female. Women and men in Christ are equal heirs, receiving the rights of sons in God's family.

---

Elaine Ricker Kelly Author is empowering women with historical fiction about women in the Bible and early church and Christian blogs about women in leadership, church history and doctrine. Her books include:

• Forgotten Followers from Broken to Bold, Book 1, A Novel (2022)

• The Sword: A Fun Way to Engage in Healthy Debate on What the Bible Says About a Woman's Role (2023)

• Because She Was Called from Broken to Bold, Book 2, A Novel of the Early Church (2024)

• Walk with Mara on Her Healing Journey: 21 Steps to Emotional Resilience (2024)

• Finding Her Voice from Broken to Bold, Book 3, A Novel of the Earliest Female Apostles (coming October 2025)