Is God A Feminist?
Feminism—that word you’re supposed to like, but aren’t sure exactly what it means, and fluctuate between feeling grateful for it, but also confused. To understand feminism, and its many nuances, we must first have a general idea of the history of the feminist movement.
Feminism, because it is so broad, has been defined in four different waves. Each wave had a different emphasis and outcome. Let’s look at some of the significant aspects of the four waves of feminism:
First wave: 1800’s-1940
The first wave spanned several decades, with the main focus being women’s suffrage, education rights, and abolition of gender double standards. American laws that left women at a disadvantage were protested; better working conditions for women were advocated for. It’s important to note that the first wave of feminism had many connections to the anti-slavery movements. Most feminists were staunchly advocating against slavery and for racial equality as well; however, many times women were not invited to participate in the anti-slavery conventions. The right to vote was finally granted to women through the nineteenth amendment in 1920. With the 20’s, prior to the World Wars, the “flapper” look became popular. In the span of a few decades, women had gone from the victorian dress and very conservative positions, to more modern dress and attitudes.
There were several significant figures in the first wave; Elizabeth Cady Stanton (1815-1902) was a main precursor in the shifting culture. She did much to organize women’s suffrage with speeches, conventions, and publications that advocated for the right to vote. She was the first woman to run for congress (but only received a few votes). She was also close friends with Susan B. Anthony, another pillar in the feminist movement. Without her influence, the path towards equal voting rights would have been much longer.
Despite her positive efforts in the feminist movement, Stanton considered religion and the Bible to be a hindrance to women’s rights. She was a main contributor to “The Woman’s Bible”, which was a sarcastic commentary on certain passages that talked about women. Stanton believed that these passages were from a less civilized age, and that the Bible was outdated and full of superstitions.
Margaret Sanger (1879-1966) was another significant feminist whose life and work affected both the first wave of feminism and the second wave. Sanger is most famous for founding Planned Parenthood. She opened the first women’s health and birth control clinic in America in 1916 and was arrested numerous times for it.
Her main focus was for birth control rights for women, and because of this was prosecuted in both American and Britain for her writing and also for distributing diaphragms, which was illegal. Sanger believed that women’s liberation could only happen if women do not have the risk of unwanted pregnancy. Unwanted and unplanned pregnancies, to Sanger, contributed to “world over-population” which lead to poverty, famine, and war. Her philosophy about birth control led her to make controversial statements, such as stating that births should be limited in families that could least afford to have children and at one point, even suggested that permits be obtained in order to have children.
In 1921, Sanger gave a speech titled “The Morality of Birth Control” where society was divided into three groups: Those who were educated and regulating the size of their families, those who were intelligent and desired to control the size of their families but may not have the tools to do so, and finally, the “irresponsible and reckless people”, who do not attempt to control the size of their families due to religion. She said, “There is no doubt in the minds of all thinking people that procreation of this group should be stopped”.
Despite Sanger’s questionable statements on eugenics, she was actually anti-abortion. At one point, fliers in her clinic stated, “Do not kill, do not take life, but prevent”. She died in 1966, a year after birth control was officially legalized in the United States. Interestingly, the comic book character “Wonder Woman” is said to have been inspired partly by Margaret Sanger.
The first wave of feminism, spanning many years, saw women receive the right to vote, turnover of laws that were unfair towards women or favorable towards men, and more educational opportunities for women. After the World Wars, the working woman became more mainstream and less taboo. Birth control gradually became an acceptable option in culture. As women received just freedoms, the seeds were also planted for sexual liberation and a pushback against traditional gender roles.
The second wave of feminism was from 1940-1980. This wave moved from focusing on objective freedoms to protest against discrimination and advocate for sexual liberation. As Planned Parenthood was officially established in 1942. Birth control became more readily available, and with it the idea of freedom to decide the terms on which a woman could have children.
Betty Friedan was perhaps the most influential voice in the second wave, authoring the bestselling book “The Feminine Mystique” in 1963. With Friedan’s psychology background, she used the book to express the discontent of the average American housewife. Chapter one says, “We can no longer ignore that voice within women that says: ‘I want something more than my husband and my children and my home.” According to Friedan, husbands, children, and home would not fulfill a woman; what would fulfill them was only education and meaningful work. Interestingly, Friedan was raised Jewish. Prior to her divorce, she and her first husband were reported to have been physically abusive to each other during fights.
The second wave saw increased college enrollment for females and women’s studies courses established. Feminists protested against objectification, sexual abuse, pornography, and male violence. Feminists like Phyllis Trible, who popularized a feminist interpretation of the Bible, and Gloria Steinem, a famous journalist, contributed their frustrations to the rising awareness. The second wave was also significant in that the lesbian rights group “Lavender Menace” turned the tide for feminist approval of lesbian rights (prior to this, many feminists saw it as a distraction from the women’s rights issues).
The third wave of feminism was between 1990-2010. Feminism during this time moved away from the objective “right to vote” and became more subjective. Intersectionality and feminism became a popular viewpoint. Minorities and disadvantages such as low-income people became part of the focus. Feminists sought to abolish any gender hierarchy and make female sexual freedom and expression socially acceptable.
The fourth wave of feminism began in 2010. This movement emphasizes the spirituality and individuality of women. Feminism in these years looks like continued support for “reproductive rights”, a rise in plus-size fashion acceptable and body inclusivity, transgender rights, and the sex-work acceptance. The “#MeToo movement, which took place over the internet, brought awareness to sexual abuse and discrimination that women felt from men in daily life.
We are living in this wave of feminism, which I believe will be a significant game changer in feminism moving forward. With the transgender ideology, feminists must make a choice. Some see the unfair advantages in transgender men competing in women’s sports as putting women at a disadvantage. Other feminists advocate for the inclusion of transgender men who consider themselves to be women. The feminist movement is at a crossroads, and the decisions made during this decade will surely influence women, both positively and negatively, in the years to come.
What are some of the ways that you see “fourth wave” feminism around you?
How should we think about feminism from a Biblical perspective?
Understanding Feminism
Feminism started out with right thinking, even based on Biblical principles. The Bible does say that Men and Women are equal, and the government should give both genders a voice and the same legal benefits. However, as the feminist movement grew and changed, it began to attack two crucial pillars of Biblical womanhood:
Biblical sexuality, replacing it with so-called sexual liberation
God’s design for the family, making a wife and mother’s role out as a bad thing
The radical feminist movement today is simply women recklessly seeking control and manipulation, even over things that God has never given into the control of humans. Does this sound familiar? This is exactly what the serpent tempted Eve with in the garden, and we must reject this search for “freedom” and “control”.
The problem with feminism is that it completely leaves God and the Bible out of the picture. Because of this, unfortunately, the very core issues of feminism will never be fixed. There will always be issues with gender inequality because of sin, just like there will always be racism, murder, abuse, etc. We live in a fallen world that will eventually be destroyed and replaced with a new earth after the Second Coming. This does not mean that we don’t stand up for what is right; it means that we do, but we know that these things exist because of sin and the Gospel is the only answer. Feminism does not fix the problem, it only makes it worse. Rachel Schultz wrote, “Christians who help women in hard places or celebrate the many noble and inspiring things women have accomplished might be tempted to identify as a “feminist.” But should that be called feminism? Let’s call it being a Christian. If you are (rightly!) sympathetic to the real problems women face, go ahead and love your female neighbor as yourself, but don’t allow all kinds of wrong thinking to sneak in the back door.” (The Gospel Coalition)
“But What About…?”
With the rise of feminism came the rise of feminist hermeneutics and interpretation of the Bible. Since Scripture’s design for women is different than what feminism values, they must come up with creative ways to interpret, or get around, Scripture. Careful Biblical hermeneutics looks for the plain (clear) meaning, taking into account a grammatical and historical interpretation, allowing for figures of speech (as used by the author), the surrounding context, and the author’s intention for the original audience.
Consider the following topics or phrases from Scripture:
Submission (in marriage)
“Keepers at home” Titus 2:3-5
“silent in the church” 1 Corinthians 14:33-35
“I do not allow a woman to exercise authority over a man” 1 Timothy 2:12
While some of these concepts may appear scary or unfair, studying the passage in its context allows us to see God’s unique design for women and men, while also showing his love and grace towards both genders.
The Patriarchy—Is it Biblical? What IS it?
We cannot discuss feminism without mentioning “the Patriarchy”. This broad term generally refers to a conservative movement where the following beliefs are adhered to:
Men (husbands/fathers) are the head of the home and ideally the workplace
Couples should have many children and shelter them from the world (i.e. homeschool, have conservative political values, etc.)
Wives and daughters should submit/respect the headship of the husband/father (i.e. unmarried adult daughters would live at home until married)
Higher education for women and girls (i.e. college) isn’t encouraged as they are to become wives/mothers
Fathers have influence or even control over who daughters should marry
A quick overview of the patriarchal movement shows several reasons for concern. Many of the ideas come from standards that aren’t biblical (for example, adult single daughters living at home under the authority of their fathers, or females pursuing higher education). Even more concerning would be an idolization of the role of husband/father as the head of the home: this could result in an abusive of authority and headship by fathers to unbiblically control their wives, daughters, or even sons.
However, while this movement does contain unbiblical ideas, we must also understand that this does not mean that someone who is conservative, has many children, or holds to the Biblical roles, is involved in the “patriarchy”. Feminists will often use this term to apply to any Christian man or father, even if he simply following the Bible and does not adhere to this specific movement. To radical feminists, any connection to a Christian lifestyle is to be hated, which is why this term is applied so broadly.
Yes, the Bible does give husbands headship and wives the role as helpers. Children are seen as a blessing. God gives parents options like homeschooling to disciple their families. Although the “patriarchal” idea of families can be grounds for unhealthy, controlling behavior, this doesn’t mean that every traditional Christian family unit is unhealthy or abusive. Like with all things, we must stick with the Bible to understand what a proper and healthy family dynamic should look like.
Practical takeaways
Review the following two scenarios. How would you respond?
Julie has been reading her Bible and claims that Galatians 3:28 teaches that there should be full gender equality in the church. She uses this text to show that marriage roles are now abolished. How do you respond?
Galatians 3:28 does teach unity among the diverse members of the body of Christ. But unity does not mean “same”.
All believers have an equal position and standing before God, as described in this verse. Not all believers serve in the same role.
This text cannot abolish marriage roles, because the marriage roles are described elsewhere in the New Testament.
We cannot make this verse mean something that it does not.
Julie has been posting sensual pictures on social media to promote body positivity. Her captions often have to do with freedom and liberation for women. You aren’t sure that she fully understands what she’s saying. Do you address it, and if so, how?
Realize that these types of conversations will go much better in person than online.
Rather than tell Julie where she is wrong, ask questions. What point are you trying to make with this post? Do you think it was accomplished? How might someone take this type of post? What makes you passionate about this topic? What do you think the Bible has to say about this topic?
