christian feminism

Recently an article has been going around by Dr. Stephen Kim about how a true Christian man wouldn't marry certain types of women. First of all, this article is downright offensive to just about any woman ever. In fact, the article, in short, states if you're a good Christian man you won't marry a woman if she is anyway sure of herself. Only marry a woman if the only two things she worships are God and yourself. How about no?

The part of this article I took the most offense to was the feminist section. Which is as follows: 

I don't know about you but this sounds a lot like "don't marry a woman if she has opinions or a sense of her own worth." The first error in this argument is how it is stated that "women and men have equal value in the eyes of God." True. But the author then follows it up by saying that your wife should not be "your equal in terms of authority" and that you should "look for a woman who agrees with you in this very vital God-ordained relational dynamic." Sorry fellas, but that is not me or any decent woman, to be honest. First of all, saying that men and women are equal in God's eyes and then saying that women are not equal to men from your own perspective is putting yourself above God. The author is saying that even though God's opinion is one way, his opinion is more correct. And worse, he is telling Christian men that they should trust his opinion over God's. But all hypocrisy and blasphemy aside, his argument is still damaging to the institution of marriage. Marriage isn't about making sure your wife agrees with you. There's this really cool thing called cooperation, in which you try to see each other's perspective and find a way to compromise and find agreement. I've never been married, but I'm pretty sure this will make everyone happier in the end. 

But, guess what Dr. Stephen Kim, there is definitely room within Christendom for the "Christian feminist." Let's take a look.

Christianity as a whole doesn't insinuate misogyny. Christ while He was on the earth paid special attention to the women in His life. He was actually quite advanced in His treatment of women for the time. He was kind and welcoming to them. For example, His interaction with the woman at the well was uncommon of the men of the time. Most men would have entirely ignored her presence, while Jesus sought a conversation with her. Another example is the adulterous woman. All of the men present were ready to stone her to death, but Christ was ready to forgive her and let her return to her life to sin no more. Christ also had very strong relationships with women in his life, including His mother and Mary Magdalene. Women are even at the center of several Christian pillars of belief.

First is the Creation. Women were created after men because Adam, by himself, could not have fulfilled God's plan. He need an "help meet." But just because women were created after Adam, or from his rib, or as an "help meet" does not mean that women are lesser than men. In fact, that's terrible reasoning. Adam was created after all of the animals; does this mean men are less than animals? According to some, maybe... but essentially, no. The order of creation is not significant in the terms of equality. Women were the final creation. Once women were created, it was finally enough to fulfill God's plan. But that doesn't make us any more or less, it just makes us essential.

Women also played a vital role in the fall. Eve gets a bad rep for her part in the fall of herself and Adam. Yet people forget how essential the fall was to our own lives. If Adam and Eve would never have fallen, they would still be living in a state of innocence in the Garden of Eden, meaning they would never have had children and started the earth's population. God gave them conflicting commandments. They weren't supposed to eat of the fruit of the tree, but they were also supposed to multiply and replenish the earth. By following one, they were unable to follow the other. Eating the fruit was essential to life and the Plan. Through this transgression, Eve was the mother of all living. Without her, and without women all over the world, human life would not be possible. 

The third pillar of Christianity women play a large role in is the Atonement. First, when Christ was upon the cross he showed that one of His last worldly cares was that His mother was taken care of. He called upon one of His disciples to care for her. Even in a time of utmost pain, Christ showed care for a woman. Second, the first person Christ appeared to after His resurrection was a woman. He appeared to Mary and she was called upon to bring the news to the apostles. Christ trusted a woman with this infinitely important news. She was necessary to make sure the apostles knew Christ had risen and believed in Him. Both before His death and after He was risen, women were there and were vital. 

Throughout gospel history, women have been entrusted with important roles. Without these women, the Plan of Salvation could not have been started or implemented. We are equal to men, whether or not we have the same roles. Equal doesn't mean the same. It just means equal.

So to all the Christian fellas out there, don't marry someone who views herself as less than you or someone who is only here to meet your needs. Marry a girl who knows who she is and knows her role in this life. Marry a girl who views herself as your equal and whom you view as equal to you. Work together towards the same goals, equally yoked and equally strong.