My name is Aili Acone-Chavez, and I am a feminist.
This statement may shock you or cause you to judge me, but what is feminism? Many of you probably think of women's riots in the 70’s consisting of women abandoning their families, burning bras, chopping off their beautiful long locks of hair, or maybe androgyny or general “dikey-ness;” or maybe you just think of equal pay between the sexes.
Merriam Webster defines “Feminism” as, “the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities,” and “the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes” (http://www.merriam-webster.com).
How do these values relate to Biblical womanhood?
God does in fact give detailed instructions on the female role in the Scriptures. Despite the way that today’s society has warped what feminism ought to signify, I believe that true biblical feminism is displayed in the Scriptures and lovingly endorsed by God Himself. I will be clarifying this topic by presenting three major points: the female role explained in the Old Testament, how Jesus taught equality in the New Testament, and discussing feminism within the church and our culture.
Proverbs 31 gives an account of a “worthy woman.” Proverbs states:
“She considers a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard” (v. 16)
“She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies belts to the tradesmen” (v. 24)
“Her children rise up and bless her; her husband also and he praises her...” (v. 28)
“…And gives food to her household, and portions to her maidens” (15)
“Give her the product of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates” (31)
This is a woman who shows economic, political, and social equality. She works diligently for her wages, and supplies necessities for her family. She fulfills her duties as a wife by respecting her husband and caring for her family and servants. While the “Proverbs 31 Woman” sets various lofty goals, she is a model as to how women ought to act. While it is un-Biblical for a wife to be the main provider or "head" of her family, God represents how a woman can “economically” provide from a Biblical standpoint. In the culture of Bible times, women were oftentimes looked down upon socially. However, in the New Testament, Jesus proves that women are of vital importance.
Dorothy Sayers states in her book Are Women Human? Astute and Witty Essays on the Role of Women in Society, “Perhaps it is no wonder that the women were first at the Cradle and last at the Cross. The had never known a man like this Man—there never has been such another. A prophet and teacher who never nagged at them, never flattered or coaxed or patronized; who never made arch jokes about them…who rebuked without querulousness and praised without condescension; who took their questions and arguments seriously; who never mapped out their sphere for them, never urged them to be feminine or jeered at them for being female; who had no axe to grind and no uneasy male dignity to defend; who took them as he found them and was completely unself-conscious.”
Sayer closes her thoughts by saying that Jesus validated women’s nature. Women were looked down upon because they were viewed as property. "The one without sin can cast the first stone" (John 8:7). In just one statement, Jesus says that women ought to be held in higher regards. Through Biblical feminism, the belief that men and women ought to have equal rights is solidified in the Bible.
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28, NASB). Through the freedom of Christ, we are united. This legacy Jesus left behind has continued to current times.
I believe the modern era has skewed what feminism ought to be. While people have done an awful job of maintaining Jesus’ guidelines, Biblical feminism still exists. Kenneth Gangel states in his article "Biblical Feminism and Church Leadership" that Biblical feminism has penetrated evangelicalism, as evidenced by more and more women being ordained as ministers in Protestant churches (55).
This is important to discuss, as feminism is becoming a phenomenon.
Feminism is popping up everywhere.
Celebrities are claiming feminism; your best friends, relatives, girlfriends, or wives have probably wanted to become one, or have talked to you about this movement. The mission statement for a popular organization HeforShe states:
“The HeForShe Commitment. Gender equality is not only a women’s issue, it is a human rights issue that requires my participation.”
I agree with their statement, but I believe that feminism ought to come from the right place: God. Esther Fuchs states in her article "Biblical Feminisms: Knowledge, Theory and Politics in the Study of Women in the Hebrew Bible" that the Bible ought to be the starting research point for feminism:
“Those who emphasize the ‘biblical’ term and see a complementary relationship with feminism, while those who emphasize ‘feminism’ often see an oppositional relationship between these terms” (213).
This is significant, because feminism ought to be pursued by holding God’s will for women in higher esteem. As men and women, we ought to view women's rights as God does and follow in His example.
In this article, I have discussed the woman’s role described in the Old Testament, what Jesus taught and how the New Testament viewed equality, and exploring feminism in the modern era.
Biblical feminism is important to me because it is a way of living and, contrary to popular belief, it is justified within a Biblical context.
Citations:
Merriam-Webster.com. (http://merriam-webster.com/dictionary/feminism, 2015), definition of Feminism.
New American Standard Bible. (Anaheim: Foundations Publications Inc., 1998), Proverbs 31:16, 24, 28, 15, 31, John 8:7, Galatians 3:28.
Sayers, Dorothy. Are Women Human? Astute and Witty Essays on the Role of Women in Society. (Grand Rapids, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1971).
Gangel, Kenneth. Biblical Feminism and Church Leadership. 55.
HeForShe. (http://www.heforshe.org, 2014), Mission Statement.
Fuchs, Esther. Biblical Feminisms: Knowledge, Theory and Politics in the Study of Women in the Hebrew Bible. 213.
