The word feminism is so annoying. With it comes a stigma, negativity, especially in the eyes of the Church. When people hear the word feminism, they think of bra-burning and Amazon like women who refuse to shave their legs or armpits. If you claim to be a feminist, people automatically assume you are that way. Even my darling groom-to-be who knows me so well and knows my view on gender gets nervous when I use the word. All the word feminism means when all the stigma of man-eating woman is stripped away is the equality of the sexes. What’s wrong with that? What is dangerous about that? Giving women the right to vote, the opportunity to pursue education and careers has proven to be no less dangerous than giving men those same opportunities.
I believe that God did not create women to be below and subservient to men, but that He created them to be different but equal. When God described Eve as Adam’s helper, He used the same word that is used numerous other times throughout the Bible that describes God as deliverer and strength. A leader in my college ministry made the connection that God made Eve to be the tangible representation of His strength to Adam. Eve as God’s strength. That does not sound like a sex that should be treated as less than man. Do not mistake me. I am not advocating that woman be treated as more than man just because I’ve redefined Eve as God’s strength to mankind. If this blog was about men, I would go into what man physically represents of God, but it’s not so let’s talk more about Eve and feminism. I’m advocating that there be a mutual respect between men and women, that they accept that they have been created different but equal in the eyes of God, and that they embrace those differences. I am advocating for a striving of equality between men and women a.k.a. feminism.
When we encourage young women and nurture that strength, it becomes a light in a dark world and inspires the men and women in their lives to do great things for God. But when we try to squash it as a society, that strength becomes destructive, resulting in rebellion and man-eating tendencies. If we as a Church embrace the call of feminism and treat women with the same respect as men, that strength just might be fostered and nurtured to create a whole new generation of God-fearing warrior princesses who could move mountains in Christ’s name.
Much love–Char
