So I've had a number of conversations with people recently who are happy to self-define as both feminist and Christian. A number of those conversations centred around what a lonely place that is. Regularly vilified in the church and often ridiculed in feminist conversation we can end up a little lost and keeping parts of ourselves hidden in different contexts become a little despondent of ever being able to express who we truly are.
Then I've discovered twitter, what an amazing place! A pure joy to be able to meet like minded people and support and encourage each other.
So on International Women's Day I thought I'd set out my reasons for being a Christian feminist. I am not a Christian despite being a feminist, nor a feminist despite being a Christian.
I am a feminist BECAUSE I am a Christian.
I decided to become a Christian at age 16 the gospel message of salvation through Christ was presented to me and I realised I had a choice, almost as soon as I realised I had a choice I also realised that I was madly in love with this person Jesus, that all my searching to find out what justice and goodness meant where met in him, I decided that He was and is the way the truth and the life.
Then I had to decide what I made of the Bible. Long story short I came to appreciate its immense power to reveal God's character and love and to transform the world (I'm signed up to all the solas). I became convinced not only in the Bible's vision of justice but also that it's narrative of the purpose and role of women had been grossly mis-represented and that what it actually relayed should spur us to seek great equality for women. So I didn't decide to become a feminist its what I believe the bible teaches so its obedience to scripture that means I describe myself as feminist.
Jesus clearly believe women to be the social, economic and political equals of men (and their spiritual equals at that), he demonstrably believed the personal was political (on a cosmic scale), he believed in creative subversive protest (A blog for another time but turn the other check means something very very different to what we're told). He went around challenging hierarchical (hm, patriarchal) structures. He took his turn with the children, he challenged stereotypes, he taught in gender inclusive ways referencing the experiences of women as well as men and he definitely definately understood choice.
And just for the record I think Paul was a feminist too. Such a shame the whole church didn't follow suit, but today so so grateful for those awesome sisters and brothers who get it!
Ok so which side will the onslaught come from first?
If you like this you should also read: http://admiralcreedy.blogspot.com/2012/01/jesus-feminist.html
Then I've discovered twitter, what an amazing place! A pure joy to be able to meet like minded people and support and encourage each other.
So on International Women's Day I thought I'd set out my reasons for being a Christian feminist. I am not a Christian despite being a feminist, nor a feminist despite being a Christian.
I am a feminist BECAUSE I am a Christian.
I decided to become a Christian at age 16 the gospel message of salvation through Christ was presented to me and I realised I had a choice, almost as soon as I realised I had a choice I also realised that I was madly in love with this person Jesus, that all my searching to find out what justice and goodness meant where met in him, I decided that He was and is the way the truth and the life.
Then I had to decide what I made of the Bible. Long story short I came to appreciate its immense power to reveal God's character and love and to transform the world (I'm signed up to all the solas). I became convinced not only in the Bible's vision of justice but also that it's narrative of the purpose and role of women had been grossly mis-represented and that what it actually relayed should spur us to seek great equality for women. So I didn't decide to become a feminist its what I believe the bible teaches so its obedience to scripture that means I describe myself as feminist.
Jesus clearly believe women to be the social, economic and political equals of men (and their spiritual equals at that), he demonstrably believed the personal was political (on a cosmic scale), he believed in creative subversive protest (A blog for another time but turn the other check means something very very different to what we're told). He went around challenging hierarchical (hm, patriarchal) structures. He took his turn with the children, he challenged stereotypes, he taught in gender inclusive ways referencing the experiences of women as well as men and he definitely definately understood choice.
And just for the record I think Paul was a feminist too. Such a shame the whole church didn't follow suit, but today so so grateful for those awesome sisters and brothers who get it!
Ok so which side will the onslaught come from first?
If you like this you should also read: http://admiralcreedy.blogspot.com/2012/01/jesus-feminist.html
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