Feminism is like any political party, there are extremes on both ends. The more sane and balanced feminists tend to gravitate towards the middle, understanding that there are multiple sides and valuable views on both sides. Instead of choosing either extreme however, they take what is good from both, working out their personal stances in accordance with their beliefs and values.
Ever since I decided that I was in fact a feminist, I've had some interesting responses from both Christians and non-Christians. I'm feeling a bit like Martin Luther today (German) and if I get a bit ranty, forgive me-I'm still working some things out.
To start, I believe whole-heartedly that a woman can be both a strong Christian and an ardent feminist. I don't mean the feminazis-no man hating and bra burning in my future-but women who understand that there has been a history of mistreating and undervaluing women and who want to move forward, not by blaming and hating men, but by self-evaluation and improvement (ie:better education, better jobs, roles in the home etc...).
Some people that I've spoken with have a real issue with this. I think they struggle with the male/female dynamic without attributing blame or responsibility to current behaviors. So here's what I think: Men and women will never be equals because God has made us different. Apples cannot be equal to oranges because they aren't comparable. However, God has given women strengths and giftings that make us equally as valuable as men and we should be treated as such. Feminism, moderate feminism, acknowledges that and also acknowledges the history of the devaluation of women by patriarchal societies and chooses to move beyond that pattern. It's slightly more involved than that, but that's the cliff notes version.
Here's where I'm running into some frustrations: My acknowledgment and interpretation of the past and my decisions now as a feminist do not, in any way, disqualify me from being a Christian. In fact, I see myself as a Christian first, feminist secondary. But as a feminist, I struggle with Christians (both men and women) who use scripture to, as I see it, devalue women. The problem that I see is that many base their entire view of women off of 1 Corinthians 14:34-women should be silent in the church. Now, I'll be honest, I'm still working out with Paul how I truly feel about that statement, and I may die never having made peace with it (Paul and I may have an animated conversation in heaven). However, if you broaden the scope and take a look at some other areas in the Bible, specifically the life of Jesus, you find that that single scripture, can in no way be the final say on feminism and Christianity.
John 11 is the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. Most people who speak on this chapter focus mainly on the miracle of Lazarus being raised from the dead, and rightfully so. However, what I find interesting as a feminist is the interaction between Martha and Jesus. Martha approaches Jesus and says "Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask."
When I read that, I see her reacting with emotion. "If only you had been here," is an accusatory statement. She was addressing a friend, someone she trusted and she accused Him of not being around when they needed Him. Instead of silencing her, telling her to submit to Him as a man, He understood her need and moved to meet it. I think it's also important to note that He didn't dismiss her emotion, He didn't validate it by telling her it was right to feel that way, but He didn't reject it either. He did the same with Mary, while he became angry and troubled, He didn't silence her or dismiss her reaction.
What I find troubling is seeing people dismiss the emotion without moving to meet the need from which the emotion stemmed. I'd also like to note that it is Martha and Mary's need He is meeting when He raised Lazarus. I could be wrong, but I don't think that Lazarus much cared wether he was alive or not This story is one of many in which I see Jesus valuing women. Others, like the woman at the well, Mary Magdalene, his mother, etc...are also examples.
This isn't just a woman's issue, if anyone in the church comes to us, as Christ's representatives on Earth, we should reach out to meet the need and not dismiss them. But since the story is about women, I think that it's a very compelling example of how Jesus felt about the value women have.
Again, this isn't conclusive; and it's obviously something that I'm still working through, but what I'm hoping to express is that the role of women in the church and as Christians, cannot and should not be limited to one scripture when there are so many notable women in the Bible: Abigail, Rehab, Ruth, Esther, Deborah and Jael to name a few.
I am and will continue to be a Christian feminist. I am and will continue to wrestle with how I feel about Women's roles in the church and then in the world. But I would like to challenge my friends to think about this with me and decide against the false assumption that a woman has to be either or. If Martha could be honest with Jesus, why can't women be honest with their male counterparts without fearing that their thoughts, emotions and opinions will be devalued or dismissed? And how, now with the freedom of an equalizing society, can women grow into the roles that, I believe, were always meant for them?
No comments:
Post a Comment