Is it possible to be a Christian and a Feminist?

Question

The reaserch I have done seems to point to "No."
In the Bible, Eve is told that "...thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee." (Genesis 3.16)
Women in the Bible are even represented as being evil in the stories of Delilah, Potiphar's wife, Jezebel, and once again, Eve.
Ecclesiastes 7:26 states "And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.
Not to mention the story of Lilith, Adam's first wife, who was made from dust as he was, but who wouldn't submit to having her husband lord over her, and so fled Eden. That isn't in the Bible at all.

What do you think? Do you have to believe that women are inferior to men to be Christian?

And just so we're clear...

feminist

adj : of or relating to or advocating equal rights for women; "feminist critique" n : a supporter of feminism

fem·i·nism
n.

1. Belief in the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes.
2. The movement organized around this belief.

No, feminists do NOT believe that women are superior to men.

Answer 1

No, because the bible commands women to keep silent while in church and to keep their heads covered like muslim women.

"As in all the churches of the saints, the women should keep silence in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be subordinate, as even the law says. If there is anything they desire to know, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church. What! Did the word of God originate with you, or are you the only ones it has reached? If any one thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that what I am writing to you is a command of the Lord. If any one does not recognize this, he is not recognized" (1 Corinthians 14:33-38).

Answer 2

aahh The headship principal. I had extreme difficulty with this as well when I first began my study of the bible. I'm using the scripture found at 1 Corinthians 11:3 "3 But I want YOU to know that the head of every man is the Christ; in turn the head of a woman is the man; in turn the head of the Christ is God"
Okay to address your question.. one question at a time.. No you cannot be a feminist and a true christian. Yes some and I emphasize some women in the bible are evil. You gave a few good examples. But there were also evil men. Cain for example.
I will have to do some study to determine the meaning of the scripture you sited Ecclesiastes 7:26

Okay my answer to your last question. The definition of inferior is "A person lower in rank, status, or accomplishment than another" According to the Bible, women are inferior to men. Just as Jesus is inferior to God. If you think of any organization there is always an order or a ranking. Our government for example. President, Vice President, secretary and so on. Even in a job.. there is an owner, a manager and so on. So to me, it makes absolute sense that God would put a system of order into place. If misunderstood, it can seem oppressive and demeaning. But further study of the scriptures will show you that women are not in any way less valuable then men.
Proverbs 31:10-31 just one example.. happy studying

Answer 3

Technically, yes. However, you can be a homicidal maniac and still be a christian. I am an christian egalitarian, which means I believe that there is absolute equality between the sexes, while true feminism places women superior to men. The so-called sexist verses of the Bible are more of a historical reference and commentary. The principle behind the "men over women" verses that Paul wrote aren't about women submitting to men. They are examples of the principle of letting the Gospel be the only offense. Paul told Timothy not to let women pastor or teach congregations because if they did, the local cultures wouldn't take the church seriously. Now that we have a better understanding of equality, that example doesn't apply, but the principle behind it does. To effectivley present the Gospel to a culture, you must often adapt to that culture, like any good missionary does.

Answer 4

Man was created male and female. Both have signifigant roles in ruleing over creation. Woman was made from Adams side to be a suitable helper to him. Togeather they were to rule over the rest of creation and their most important task was to deal with the evil one and cast him where he is going to go...into the lake of fire. But Satan, knowing all this decieved Adams wife and got her to believe in a lie rather than the truth that she knew that was passed on to her from her husband. Once she had eatn from the tree that she wasn't suppose to Adam was faced with a problem. He knew the right thing to do. Turn to his Father for help but he didn't.(this was his sin, knowing the right thing to do and not doing it) But because he loved his wife and didn't want to see her left on her own to be destroyed by the evil one, He too ate of the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of goo and evil. So, because of the fall you see the fruit before you. Men lusting after men, and women doing the same. Perversions of all kinds, wars divisions over what is right and wrong about gods word. People pointing the finger all the time and say "Thats wrong! Save the wales, seals and the dolphins. No! Don't build here because it messes up the natural land scape. But these same people cannot live in peace and harmony with their fellow man and some of them live very corrupt and immoral lives. You ask if you can be one thing and be a christial at the same time? Well christianity has alot of blood on its hands from its murderous past and now people can be sodomites and become priests! This shows not only the degedation of the infernal institution but how the evil spitits that followed satan have filled up the house of christianity in full measure. But the day is coming...The last day, the very day when christianity will be destroyes and then all of the kingdoms of this present age will be destroyed and the next age, theage of peace on the earht will come in. In that day there will be no more of this madness you have today. Non of it and human beings will live normally. God never intended for men to live like this. We were to care for one another and take care of the planet then expand(but thats another story). I look forward to the end of this age when all wickedness and lawlessness is done away with and true justice comes to the earth.
Regards, Ammoconfidential

Answer 5

Don't forget that the bible is also the history of a nation. Although what is in it is true...it doesn't mean everything in it was pleasing to God. Yes, it's true that, for example in the OT, women were treated as chattel! And women who did evil things were written about...just as men who did evil things were written about.

However, Jesus lifted women up, giving them positions of great honor. Who did Jesus appear to, after He was resurrected? To His 12 disciples who were hiding in fear? No...to the woman who had come to anoint his body.

I don't think it's fair to pick the women out of the bible who were displeasing to God, and leave out those who were highly praised: Esther, Abigail, Sarah. And the most reviled of all...Judas...was a man.

The bible does teach that, yes, in a marriage relationship, women are to be subordinate to their husbands. Lots of people have odd ideas about this. They equate subordinate with inferior, not so. The new testament told men to love their wives as Christ loves the church. Jesus scolded men who divorced their wives for the slightest provocation.

Jesus Christ lifted women up, and to this day, He lifts them up. It's not a war between the sexes when both are in Christ; it is a perfect partnership, with Him as the tie that binds.

Answer 6

No, you can not be a Christian and a feminist. No, you do not have to believe woman inferior to be a Christian. Men are different than women, they should have different roles. But, you must get past the obedience part first.

Answer 7

Yes, being a Christian is simply a statement that you have faith that Jesus died for your sins and is Lord of you life. I don't think women are inferior to men at all. I think that God states, though, that since men are naturally stronger, men should be the head of the household.

Answer 8

Sure be salt in the body of Christ and ask piercing questions. None of us have all the truth.

There is a lot of caution and prejudice in churches about feminism because they have seen a lot of bad fruit come from the feminist movement. Like increased sexual activity and heartbreak, among others. But god can use a humble truth seeker like you in His kingdom. Just go slow and learn lots from others before you judge them, and hopefully you will reap the same treatment.

Answer 9

No, a Christian woman must ultimately submit - at least if she's married.

Ephesians 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.

Answer 10

here are more sources to articles and books on christiam feminism than anyone could need.

http://www.users.csbsju.edu/~eknuth/xpxx/

you might also check out:

A Feminist Ethic of Risk (Other Feminist Voices) (Paperback)
by Sharon D. Welch

and

The Wisdom of Daughters: Two Decades of the Voice of Christian Feminism (Paperback) by Kari Sandhaas, Reta Halteman Finger

Both are available at amazon.com and both are very much worth it.