Christian feminism

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Christian feminism is an aspect of feminist theology which seeks to advance and understand the equality of men and women morally, socially, spiritually, and in leadership from a Christian perspective. Christian feminists argue that contributions by women in that direction are necessary for a complete understanding of Christianity. While there is no standard set of beliefs among Christian feminists, most agree that God does not discriminate on the basis of biologically-determined characteristics such as sex. Their major issues are the ordination of women, male dominance in Christian marriage, and claims of spiritual deficiency and inferiority of the abilities of women to interpret and exposit scripture compared to men. They also are concerned with issues such as the balance of parenting between mothers and fathers and the overall treatment of women in the church.

Certain Christians who sympathize with women's issues are uncomfortable with the term feminism. One reason for this discomfort is the claim by some conservatives that Christian feminists are theological descendants of radical secular feminists such as Mary Daly and Betty Friedan. However, Christian feminists appeared on the scene much earlier than secular feminists (see "History" below). Increasingly, the term Christian egalitarianism is preferred by those advocating gender equality and equity among Christians.

Contents

History

The Greek philosopher Aristotle had taught that women are intrinsically inferior. Aristotle's discriminatory view was taken over the far more egalitarian views of Plato and Socrates by notable theologians such as Tertullian, Augustine, Chrysostom, and Thomas Aquinas.[1] Protestant reformers John Calvin and John Knox also believed that men were spiritually and morally superior to women. Others[clarify], such as Margaret Fell and Sojourner Truth, were women.

In the early 1800s some Christians began to teach that women are not innately inferior. Between 1808 and 1930, there appeared printed arguments in support of women's ministries. Thus emerged the first wave of Christian feminists. They advocated that the theology of gender and justice should be based on a whole-Bible approach rather than "proof texting" of isolated passages. Some notable first-wave Christian feminists include:

  • Fredrik Franson (1852–1908). Founded the Evangelical Alliance Mission.[2]
  • A. J. Gordon (1836–1895). The founder and first president of Gordon College.[3] "'Dr. A. J. Gordon stood by me steadily,' Frances Willard recalled."[4]
  • Katharine Bushnell (1856–1946). Medical doctor, scholar, missionary, activist.
  • Catherine Booth (1829–1890). Co-founder with her husband of the Salvation Army.
  • Frances Willard (1839–1898). Preached at D. L. Moody revivals. President of Women's Christian Temperance Union.

Other Definitions

Main article: Evangelical

Combining the standard definition of feminism with Evangelical thought here is an alternative definition: a discourse that involves various movements, theories and philosophies that are concerned with the issue of gender difference, which advocate equality for women, and campaign for women's rights and interests according to sound Biblical principles and the concept that the Bible is the infallible unadulterated word of God.

Issues

Part of a series on
Christianity and Gender

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Christian views about women
Christian Egalitarianism
Complementarianism
Women in the Bible
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Ordination of women
Roman Catholic Womenpriests
Christian feminism
Homosexuality and Christianity
Organizations

Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood
Christians for Biblical Equality
Evangelical and Ecumenical Women’s Caucus
Theologians and authors

Feminist:
Letha Dawson Scanzoni · Anne Eggebroten · Virginia Ramey Mollenkott
Egalitarian:
William J. Webb · Kenneth E. Hagin • Gordon Fee · Frank Stagg · Paul Jewett · Stanley Grenz · Roger Nicole
Complementarian:
Don Carson · John Frame · Wayne Grudem · Douglas Moo · Paige Patterson · John Piper · Vern Poythress
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Women in church leadership

Main article: Ordination of women

Feminism has affected many aspects of religion. In liberal branches of Protestant Christianity (and, notably, in some theologically conservative denominations, such as Assemblies of God[5]) women are ordained as clergy, and in Reform, Conservative and Reconstructionist Judaism, women are ordained as rabbis and cantors. Within these Christian and Jewish groups, women have gradually obtained more positions of power; their perspectives now have greater influence in developing new statements of belief.

The leadership of women in religious matters continues to be restricted by many denominations. The Roman Catholic church, and fundamentalist Protestant traditions such as the (American) Southern Baptist convention[6], and the American "non-denominational" movement (that includes the Church of Christ and megachurches)[7] generally exclude women from entering the priesthood and other clerical positions, limiting women to the roles of nuns or laypeople.[8]


Reproduction, sexuality and religion

See also: Christianity and abortion

In the United States, conservative religious groups are often at philosophical odds with feminist and liberal religious groups over abortion and the use of birth control.[9] These philosophical oppositions are manifest in courtroom and legislative battles, even making their way to the United States Supreme Court.[10] Scholars like sociologist Flann Campbell have argued that conservative religious denominations tend to restrict male and female sexuality[11][12] [13]by prohibiting or limiting birth control use[14], and condemning abortion as a sin likely punished by damnation to hell by God. [15][16] As a result of these religious claims, mainline Protestant denominations (e.g. the Episcopalian, Presbyterian, Methodist, United Church of Christ, Unitarian Universalist, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America traditions), as well as Jewish denominations and the group Catholics for a Free Choice have formed the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice.[17] The RCRC often works as a feminist organization and in conjunction with other American feminist organizations[18]


References

  1. ^ Clack, Beverley. Misogyny in the Western Philosophical Tradition: A Reader. Routledge, 1999. ISBN 0415921821.
  2. ^ http://www.wheaton.edu/bgc/archives/GUIDES/087.htm (1) July 10, 1888—Evangelistkurs. Franson's announcement of Evangelist Course in Oslo beginning July 10, 9 a.m. He recounts blessings received through those who have worked as Evangelists, especially in the inland districts, since last winter—and especially so through the women evangelists. (2) Spring 1892—Franson's announcement concerning the founding and work of "The Scandinavian-American Women's Alliance Mission to Dark Places." (3) April 1896—Profeterande Dottrar by Franson and [English] Prophesying Daughters by Franson—concerning women's' position in regard to evangelization.
  3. ^ http://www.gcts.edu/studentlife/ethos.php#women A.J. Gordon was a well-known advocate, in his day, of the preaching ministry of women.
  4. ^ http://www.historycooperative.org/journals/jga/3.3/blum.html Blum, Edward (Baylor University).Paul Has Been Forgotten: Women, Gender, and Revivalism during the Gilded Age.
  5. ^ "The Role of Women in Ministry" (PDF) 7. The General Council of the Assemblies of God (1990-08-14).
  6. ^ SBC Position Statements - Women in Ministry
  7. ^ Classifying Protestant Denominations
  8. ^ SpringerLink - Journal Article
  9. ^ Planned Parenthood
  10. ^ Religion News: Religious Opponents of Abortion Predict Supreme Court Shift
  11. ^ Birth Control and Christian Churches
  12. ^ Ordaining Women: Culture and Conflict in Religious Organizations
  13. ^ Birth Control and Christian Churches
  14. ^ Paul VI - Humanae Vitae
  15. ^ Southern Baptist Convention Resolutions on Abortion
  16. ^ Sin of Abortion and the Reasons Why
  17. ^ RCRC - Member Organizations
  18. ^ National Women's Law Center

See also

Further reading

  • Patricia M. Berliner, Ph.D., Touching Your Lifethread and Revaluing the Feminine Cloverdale Books (2007) ISBN 978-1-929569-20-5 [1]
  • Mimi Haddad, Ph.D., "Egalitarian Pioneers: Betty Friedan or Catherine Booth?" Priscilla Papers, Vol. 20, No. 4 (Autumn 2006)
  • Pamela Sue Anderson, A feminist philosophy of religion: the rationality and myths of religious belief (Oxford; Malden, Mass.: Blackwell, 1998)
  • Pamela Sue Anderson and Beverley Clack, eds., Feminist philosophy of religion: critical readings (London: Routledge, 2004)
  • John Temple Bristow, What Paul Really Said About Women: An Apostle's Liberating Views on Equality in Marriage, Leadership and Love (San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1988)

External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_feminism"

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