Feminism

Sue Bohlin Probe Ministries

History of Feminism

Womans Role: The Problem Without a Name

Betty Friedan, The Feminine Mystique: Housewives are unfulfilled and less than human ("The Housewife Blahs"). The problem's name is patriarchy (male-dominated society).

History of Feminism

The Verdict: Biology Equals Destiny

Women are oppressed because they bear and raise children; men's physical strength and genitalia are weapons of power. Women's differences = weakness. So overcome difference to be just like men.

History of Feminism

Consciousness Raising: The Personal Becomes Political

Sharing bitterness and anger in CR groups surfaced the belief that men were responsible for women's discontent. Women's differences = a source of pride and confidence.

History of Feminism
Expose the malecentered nature of society's beliefs and mores, and replace them with the female perspective. One's own (female) experience is the only legitimate source of truth and value.

Womens Studies

History of Feminism
The prehistoric "Golden Age" of women-ruled civilization is lost; we must create a matriarchy to replace patriarchy. Women are not just equal to men, they're better than men.

The First Sex: Women as Superior

History of Feminism
Judeo-Christian God too patriarchal; reject him and replace him with the Goddess. Goddess worship = self-worship.

Changing of the Gods

The History of Feminism

Feminism says, The problem is patriarchy (male-dominated society). The problem is actually the sin of people within a God-ordained hierarchy. We must not confuse the abuses of the structure with the structure itself.

Feminism and the Church

The Magna Carta for Christian feminists is Gal. 3:28: In Christ there is no male or female. Therefore, if women are created in Gods image just as men are, then they are equal to men and just as capable to exercise authority. However, the context of this verse is not equal rights, but that all believers have the same position of humility at the foot of the Cross.

Feminism and the Church

Church-women Blahs De-differentiation of male/female roles Equal rights for women: biblical feminism Obliterate sex roles:
Role of women in the church Role of women in marriage

Feminism and the Church

Egalitarians
Emphasis on equality Hierarchy produces inequality Different means unequal Equality means no role distinctions All positions in marriage and the church are open to both men and women

Feminism and the Church

Egalitarians
Women should be ordained occupy office of elder exercise authority over others in church No differences in marriage roles: mutual submission in marriage

Feminism and the Church

The Bible teaches the equality in VALUE of men and women, as well as role differentiation. When biblical feminists encounter passages with which they disagree, they label them inauthentic or simply wrong.

Feminism and the Church

Egalitarians are reacting against a real problem in the church:
Men: authoritarian, domineering, proud, and abusive of power Women: passive, insecure, not fulfilling their part in the Body of Christ, not using spiritual gifts Stereotypes of where to serve and what behavior is expected/allowed

Feminism and the Church

This problem is due to an abuse and distortion of the hierarchy God designed, but is not intrinsic in the hierarchy (or authority structure) itself. Feminists reject the structure along with the abuse of the structure.

Feminism and the Church Complementarians

Also called traditionalists Hierarchy and authority in marriage and the church reflects that of the Trinity Equality in the Trinity: equality in the Body of Christ
We are all made in the image of God Jesus paid the same price for us all

Feminism and the Church Complementarians

Women are gifted for service with certain restrictions: male leadership
Not occupying office of elder Not teaching men in the church

Husbands: called to servant leadership Wives: called to submit to husbands as to the Lord The myth of mutual submission

Feminism and the Church Inclusive Language

Feminists rejected the language of the Bible as malebiased. Male language:
excluded women reinforced male supremacy relegated women to the position of other

Feminists made God over in their own image Inclusive language changes the image of God into a feminine God.

Feminism and the Church Whats Wrong with Inclusive Language

God is not male, but He relates to us as masculine. Switching God from the masculine to the feminine sexualizes God. Renaming God to she/he depersonalizes Him. It attacks Gods character. It denies the relationship of the Trinity. It obscures humanitys relationship to God.

Feminism and the Church

Many Christians view feminism as an ideology that merely promotes the genuine dignity and worth of women. If this were true, feminism would definitely be compatible with Christianity, for the Bible does teach that women and men are of equal value in Gods sight, co-created as bearers of Gods image.

Feminism and the Church

But the philosophy of feminism adds a subtle, almost indiscernible twist to the basic Biblical truth of womens worth. Feminism asserts that womens worth is of such a nature that it gives her the right to discern, judge and govern that truth herself.

Feminism and the Church

It infuses women with the idea that Gods teaching about the role of women must line up with their own perception and definition of equality and/or liberation.
Mary Kassian, The Feminist Gospel

Feminism on Campus
Womens Studies Courses

Stress womens lit, religions (Goddess, Sophia) Male bashing: lots of anger at men by angry teachers Emphasis on womens suffering Wiccans
Hierarchical (intrinsically evil) Teaches womens subjugation Submit to suffering Christ is insufficient as a role model for women The language of the Bible is patriarchal, must be dismissed and changed

Christianity portrayed as an abusive religion

Feminism on Campus
Dating relationships Heterosexual dating
All men are potential rapists Probability of rape

Lesbianism is considered the only acceptable expression for feminists in some circles.

The Problematic Legacy of Feminism

Confused women Relational confusion Abortion Feminization of American schools Disrespect for males and masculinity has shaped schools Sexual morality Hurting families Women in the workplace Equity feminists/Gender feminists Two main groups in feminism today

Problems in the Feminist Movement

To despise the glory of masculinity is to reject the very image of God. To despise the treasure of femininity is to reject the glory of man. The problem of feminism: a rejection of what God has called good

Feminism

At the heart of feminism lies

REBELLION