Christian Maturity in the Light of Feminist Theory

SYNOPSIS PAPER

Christian Maturity in Light of Feminist Theory

Mary Stewart Van Leeuwn

Reprinted from Journal of Psychology and Theology, 1988, Vol. 16, No. 2, pp. 168-182

Jesse Eastes

Main Points/Thesis of the Article

Everybody holds a worldview. Worldviews are beliefs, and they tend to be non-negotiable. These beliefs attempt to answer questions about the nature and origin of the universe; the nature of humanity, differences in humans, and how such differences can be overcome. The goal of a worldview is to develop maturity. Of course every worldview defines maturity a differing way. The Judeo-Christian worldview is of course the most likely correct worldview; it has a concept of maturity that combines relatedness and transcendence.

Three camps make up feminist theory; Marxist feminism, liberal feminism, and of course radical feminism. The author asserts that each branch of feminism has a lesson to offer the Christian worldview, and analyzes each one in turn.

Marxist feminism teaches Old Testament truths (in a fashion) that some theologians would rather forget. These are the truths God gave the prophets regarding poverty. God has a special concern for the poor, and he doesn’t suffer well those who exploit them. Marxism defines this as class struggle, and secularizes it.

Liberal feminism confirms the common creational personhood of men and women, both created in the image of God.

Radical feminism shows that the brokenness of relationships between the sexes is far from trivial; it is a problem that requires persistence, and hard work. This is a work that will probably never be completed.

The author then, launches into a bible study that evaluates Genesis 3:16. The argument is that the original sin was punished in a specific fashion, and these punishments create the tensions, and conflicts that feminism seeks to resolve.

Research Base

The author draws on over fifty research articles. The basis for the paper is anthropological, and did not require study groups or scientific evaluation. Empirical evidence is not considered. This could be considered a legal or historical argument.

Application to Family Life Education

This article serves as a reminder of key facts that keep the church strong. For instance, Paul’s writing that “there is neither slave nor free, neither Jew nor Greek, neither male nor female, but all are one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal 3:28 NKJV) That man and woman were created as equals. Also during church revivals gender roles within the church practically disappear, which may be a sign of “true religion.”

Christian Critique

One of the strongest arguments throughout history for Judaic religion and Christianity are the feminist views within them. No one compliments Islam for its pro-woman stance on social issues; neither can the secular world be lauded for the feminist ideologies that prevail there.

In the Tanakh we see Deborah, one of the judges over Israel, we also see Ruth and Naomi taking particular importance in the biblical narrative, and it comes down on Esther to save the Jewish race. Even Rahab the harlot plays a critical role, not just for Joshua, but she actually becomes part of the lineage of Christ.

In Luke chapter 10 we see Martha and Mary; one works and the other sits at the master’s feet. In Acts chapter sixteen Lydia is the first European convert, because of her, historians tell us that much of Europe was saved. Also Ephesians chapter five denotes a symbiosis between husband and wife, the wife submits, but the husband gives his life. This echoes Genesis two and three. God clearly created man and woman as equals who do poorly without each other. This is apparent before and after the fall. The fact that each sex has strengths and weaknesses does not imply that we can use these differences against each other. I agree with the author on the above points.

Where I disagree is here; the rule of the man over the woman is not a result of the fall (GEN 3:16), rather it is a restoration to the original mandate. In Genesis 2:18 God says “I will make a help fit for him.” The order instituted by God before the fall was God – Man – Woman – Beast. The fall displays a reversal of the order; the snake tricks Eve, Eve convinces Adam, and Adam fails to obey God. Genesis 3:16 is a reiteration of the earlier mandate. This also appears to be root of pagan religion; the beast is worshipped, women serve as priests, men follow the women to perdition, and God gets really mad.

In the end “feminist problems” are not determined by Genesis but by the fall in general. Both men and women subvert God’s perfect will in their lives. In Romans chapter one “the pagan man” details the sins of men, and women, who both suffer the same judgment for denying the truth of God.

Van Leeuwen, Mary S. (1988) Christian Maturity in the Light of Feminist Theory. Journal of Psychology and Theology, Vol. 16, No. 2, pp. 168-182