There is so much confusion today regarding feminism. Is it good or bad or maybe somewhere in-between? What does it really mean? And where did it even come from? Does the Bible even deal with this issue? Feminism is simply the movement of women in history. God created women and defined what a godly woman looks like in His Word. In times of confusion, God will never leave us filled with doubts or confusion! As women, we do not need to be confused about our identity in the 21st century. Jesus defined us already in Proverbs 31:10-31. Today feminism has come to be known as "the doctrine advocating social, political, and all other rights of women equal to those of men." The feminist movement has become completely about "rights," rather than on how to be godly women. Take a look at this brief history of the Feminists' Rights Movement.
Women have overcome insurmountable odds throughout history. In 1920, the 19th Amendment to the United States' Constitution was passed by the influence of one Congressman's mother. Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Alice Paul were among leading women in the Women's Suffrage Movement. During World War II women played a huge role in the workforce which led to the Equal Rights Amendment. Sandra Day O'Conner became the first female Supreme Court Justice in 1981. Geraldine Ferraro was the first woman to win a party nomination for the vice presidency in 1984. Jeane Kirkpatrick was America’s first woman ambassador to the UN. Madeleine Albright was the first female Secretary of State under Bill Clinton. Condoleeza Rice was a tutor for George Bush and George W. Bush on Soviet diplomacy as well as the National Security Advisor for George W. Bush’s first presidential term and the Secretary of State during his second term. In the recent 2008 Presidential Election, Hillary Clinton was a democratic nominee for president and Sarah Palin was the republican nominee for vice president. Women have made monumental strides since the late 19th century to today. Women have overcome obstacles of oppression and male dominance and have virtually created equality between the sexes.
Does that last sentence seem a little abrasive? "Women have overcome obstacles of oppression and male dominance and have virtually created equality between the sexes." By being a feminist does it mean that women must dominate over men? It didn't originally mean that at all. In fact, that isn't God's plan for godly femininity. God didn't create us to dominate over each other, but to work in harmony together. Hebrews 10:24 says, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” Feminism can create a spirit or attitude of “competition” Biblical womanhood is not based on competition, but on cooperation – helping one another to be all that God wants us to be. According to Philippians 2:3-5, a godly woman should live to lift others up: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.” Feminism can be arrogant – I’m better than a man, I’m better than her. It advocates self-promotion by advancing at the expense of others. A lady following God has a Christ centered confidence that does not put others down in order to lift herself up. Godly womanhood is just the opposite. Because a lady is confident in God she can live to help others, knowing her value is not based on what a guy says, her career, grades, sports, etc. Galatians 6:1 says, “Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.” Girls can be mean. Feminism encourages women to reach their goals at the expense of others. When another girl is down, the temptation to kick her while she is down, or be glad another girl failed, is often seen in the movies and in culture’s view of feminism. A Godly lady is willing to help lift other ladies up after they have failed. (Others verses for study include Romans 12:10, Romans 15:7, Ephesians 4:2, Ephesians 4:32, and Hebrews 3:13.)
Up Next.....What is God's definition of a woman?
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