FEMINISM: WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT GENDER EQUALITY?

 

Feminism is a range of socio-political movements and ideologies that aim to define and establish the political, economic, personal and social equality of the sexes. It is the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities. It also entails organized activity in support of women's rights and interests.

Recently, feminism has actually done some good for women (the girl child). It has helped them stand against domestic abuse and rape, and it has established laws that have helped the girl child to become more relevant in the world, in Africa, Asia, France, Sweden, Italy, to mention but a few. Nevertheless, there are some areas of feminism that have being a problem in the society today. We are going to address those areas using scriptures to back up our point of view.

Let's begin with the main focus of feminism which is “equality among the sexes”; what is termed “Gender Equality”. There is nothing like gender equality in the Bible. The man and the woman are not the same and can never be equal. Going through scriptures there is nowhere God said the man and the woman are equal. You may say "what about what God said in Genesis 2:24?” “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” Here, God is talking about the peculiarity of the marriage union. They become a joint force after marriage. Remember Jesus called us joint heirs with Him; does that make us equal with Him? The answer is a fearful NO.

The man and the woman are not equal; both have their different roles to play in the home and the society at large. The man is the head of the home and the woman is to be subject to him as the bible clearly recorded in Eph. 5:22-25; “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;”

Sarah called her husband “Lord” and if we call ourselves seeds of Abraham we should act like our mother, Sarah (I Pet. 3:6). The woman must submit to and reverence her husband if peace is to reign in the home. She is not allowed to rub shoulders with the man because it can never yield any good result. There can’t be two masters in a home. Peter summed it up in I Peter 3:1-6; “Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; while they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear….For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands.” The character and conversation of the wife determines the atmosphere of the home. The unbelieving husband can be won to Christ by the humble behavior of the wife.

Another doctrine that feminists preach is that marriage is not a priority. They say marriage should not be what a lady aspires. The bible rightly said in Hebrews 13:4 that "marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled..." Something that is an honour can rightly be said to be a reward. So marriage is God's reward to His children. If you remain virtuous and pure, God will reward you with the perfect man or woman. So dear young ladies, do not allow anyone deceive you into believing marriage is not an achievement. It is! If it wasn't, God would have left Adam alone in the Garden of Eden. The mindset of feminism can only make women have disgust for men which can delay them from getting married at the right time. What can we say about a group of women (feminist) who believe that as a woman, you can abort your baby if you feel that baby will be used by the man to hold you down? Abortion in itself is a very grievous offence before God not to talk of when it is done within the four walls of the marriage institution. How pathetic! 

Another thing feminism has done is, it has instilled pride in so called Christian sisters. The spirit of feminism has imputed pride in many anointed sisters. They can hardly submit to their husbands because they feel whatever spiritual height the man can attain, they can too, which unfortunately is true. They carry this terrible, arrogant, disrespectful attitude because of this mindset. The things they have achieved in their career, spiritually, mentally and otherwise, make them so proud of themselves and they begin to look down on their husbands. Look at the wives of our  Christian fathers of faith namely Pastor W.F Kumuyi, Pastor Adeboye, Pastor Enenche, Pastor Suleiman, to mention but a few. These women are anointed but they are still submissive. They know their place and keep it. We must understand that women are helpers and the men are the head. Like it or not, that is how God made it.

In conclusion, looking at the Proverbs 31 woman, she was characterised by hardwork, honour and strength. She wasn’t said to have considered herself equal with her husband. She was useful to herself, her household and the society. Submissiveness doesn't not signifies weakness; it is indeed a virtue of strength. Feminists need to understand that when they submit to the order of the Creator and follow the divine plan, then is their strength portrayed. This doesn’t accrue to be littleness or low self esteem amongst the female gender, but courage and strength mingled with reference for the male gender. Also, this doesn’t award outright superiority and transcendence to the male gender. It is not for them to usurp authority over the female, but to “…dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.” 1 Peter 3:7

Thank you!