Feminism

Feminism and Christianity

Compliments or Enemies?Jess Hinkle

September 24, 2014

What is “Feminism”?

• “The belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities” (Webster)

• Emphasizes equality, does not uphold the idea that one gender is better than the other

What Equality Looks Like

• Equal pay in the workplace• Everyone’s job is equally important• Skill vs. gender• Same requirements for positions• Bodies treated and respected equally• Respect for all people• Equal representation in media• Includes issues of race

Media Portrayal

• Man haters• Bra burners• Paganism• Sexually promiscuous• Argumentative

What Does the Bible Say?

• We need to remember the real definition of feminism when looking at women in the Bible

• Seen in the Old and New Testaments

• Women can be leaders

• Prophets, judges, soldiers, mothers, etc.

Jesus and Women• Healing the bleeding

woman (Mark 5, Luke 8, Matthew 9)

• Talking with the Samaritan woman at the well(John 4)

• Forgiveness of the adulterous woman(John 7)

Feminism and the Modern Church• Realize that feminism does not mean ignoring

the differences in genders – Does not negate male headship of the family

• Bible sometimes used to oppress women in the home and church

• Some churches seeing a change in policies• Leadership can be demonstrated in different

ways• Celebrate differences rather than emphasize

limitations