A Critical Look at Feminism: Is it Biblical?

The lyrics, which boldly declare, “I am woman, I am fearless, I am sexy, I’m divine, I’m unbeatable, I’m creative, Honey, you can get in line, I am feminine, I am masculine, I am anything I want” perfectly encapsulate the essence of modern feminism. 

The subject of feminism in today’s world is undeniably one that sparks intense discussions and fuels significant controversy. The feminist movement has without a doubt positioned itself as a force to be reckoned with. As a result, it is no surprise that it has deeply penetrated nearly every facet of life, even extending into Christian beliefs.

As a Christian woman, its widespread influence prompts me to question whether the Bible agrees with feminism. Can these two coexist harmoniously?

Well, I invite you to join me as we take a critical look at the movement that is feminism through Biblical lenses so that together we can know how to respond to the complex issues that feminism has for long sought to address.

What is Feminism?

Feminism, at its core, is a dynamic and multifaceted movement, making it challenging to pinpoint a single, comprehensive definition. Nevertheless, the following definition offers insight into its essence:

Feminism is a movement that advocates for women’s rights, equality, and empowerment. It acknowledges the existence of historical and systemic gender-based injustices and strives to eliminate barriers that have hindered women’s progress in areas such as education, employment, and social participation.

While feminism includes various perspectives and even approaches, its main goal is consistent: to build a world where everyone, regardless of gender, has equal opportunities, rights, and freedoms.

The Biblical Nature of Feminism

Throughout history and across different cultures, women have often found themselves marginalized, their voices silenced, and their rights trampled upon by the very men who were meant to protect and cherish them. 

Instead of being honored as equals in the eyes of God, they were relegated to second-class citizenship, regarded as little more than property, and discriminated against. Their voices were stifled, and the prospect of a meaningful future seemed like a distant mirage.

It is for this reason that Feminism emerged as a response to these glaring issues. By advocating for the rights and dignity of women, the feminist movement has been playing a pivotal role in confronting injustices committed against them.

As a result, feminism has been instrumental in challenging entrenched norms and practices that perpetuate gender-based discrimination and violence. Not to mention, championing causes such as equal access to education and employment opportunities for women. 

Moreover, feminism has been at the forefront of legislative and policy reforms, rallying governments to enact laws that protect women from heinous crimes such as rape, forced early marriages, female genital mutilation, gender-based violence, and human trafficking.

It is in this way that the feminist movement has brought about positive changes in issues of justice that align with God’s word. As such, I find that It’s important to recognize these achievements.

The Unbiblical Nature of Feminism

I wish I could say that it ends there with the feminist movement but it doesn’t. Unfortunately, much of what fuels the feminist ideology today stands in stark contrast to the teachings of the Bible.

And as much as it’s important to acknowledge the valid concerns that motivate this movement, it’s equally crucial for us to examine the following feminist ideologies and expose them for what they are: unbiblical.

1. Men and Women are Equal

You’ve probably read the title and wondered, “What could possibly be wrong with believing that?”

Let me clarify from the outset that I wholeheartedly endorse the equality of men and women. We all possess equal value and dignity before God because we are made in His image. And I believe that feminists would agree with me on this so far. However, they take it a little bit further.

To feminists, equality isn’t merely about being on an equal footing; it means absolute sameness. They argue that, with the exception of a few “minor” biological differences between males and females, we are essentially identical. 

As a result, according to them, women can only achieve true equality with men if they can freely interchange roles and lifestyles.

This viewpoint gained traction with second-wave feminists who believed that traditional gender roles, especially those related to homemaking and childbearing, limited women from fully participating in roles traditionally held by men. 

While first-wave feminists fought for women’s rights without aspiring to usurp men’s roles, their successors concluded that women were also oppressed because they were living in a male-dominated society. 

Second-wave feminists felt that men were having it better than women. Thus, women could only bridge the happiness and fulfillment gap by becoming equal to men in every aspect. The phrase “What a man can do, a woman can do” encapsulates this idea of sameness.

However, it’s crucial to recognize that while God created men and women with equal value and dignity, He also bestowed upon each unique functions and responsibilities. This is evident in Scripture, where distinct commands are given to husbands and wives based on their specific needs and roles. 

Biological differences also support this fact. For instance, women tend to be more relational, and oriented towards caring and prioritizing relationships, while men are often goal-oriented and competitive. The differences also go beyond skin deep; men are generally stronger than women, a reality that can’t simply be wished away.

Sadly, the acceptance of the illusion that men and women are the same has led women to reject the God-assigned roles of men as leaders, protectors, and providers, as well as fostering disdain for the designated roles of women as nurturers and helpers.

“Being a housewife is an illegitimate profession… The choice to serve and be protected and plan towards being a family maker is a choice that shouldn’t be. The heart of radical feminism is to change that.” ~ Vivian Gornick, Radical Second-wave Feminist

“I’ve yet to be on a campus where most women weren’t worrying about some aspect of combining marriage, children, and a career. I’ve yet to find one where many men were worrying about the same thing.” ~ Gloria Steinem (2017). “Passion, Politics, and Everyday Activism: Collected Essays: Moving Beyond Words; Outrageous Acts and Everyday Rebellions; and Revolution from Within”, p.887, Open Road Media

For a crash course on the four waves of feminism, you can read this.

2. Submission Equals Being a Doormat

You don’t need to look hard to realize that feminism opposes the idea of wives submitting to their husbands. Submission, in the eyes of feminists, is tantamount to being a slave, a doormat, and a servant.

To them, it perpetuates unequal power dynamics between a man and a woman. Thus, serving as a hindrance to the pursuit of equality (sameness). It is for this reason that the institution of marriage is met with disdain in this movement.

The biblical command for wives to submit to their husbands, found in Ephesians 5:22-24, is the source of this contention. The passage states, “Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. 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. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.”

Indeed, some of the concerns about the potential misuse of submission by feminists are merited. Unfortunately, some ungodly husbands have exploited this command to justify abusive behavior against their wives.

However, it’s crucial to understand that submission in this context does not imply inferiority or the idea of one person being a slave or a  “doormat” to the other. 

Ephesians 5:25-33 expands on this by emphasizing that husbands should love their wives as Christ loved the church, sacrificially. From this perspective, submission involves the husband yielding his authority to meet his wife’s needs.

The husband is supposed to provide, protect, and cherish his wife, while she supports and submits to his care and gentle leadership. Hence, a biblical understanding of submission proves that it’s not meant to endorse abusive behavior or strip one partner of their dignity and value.

Instead, it reinforces the fact that a marriage should be characterized by mutual self-sacrifice, respect, and love. Therefore, the command to submit, when understood in this context, should not sound like nails on a chalkboard to women. 

“Since marriage constitutes slavery for women, it is clear that the women’s movement must concentrate on attacking this institution. Freedom for women cannot be won without the abolition of marriage.” ~ Sheila Cronin, Radical Feminist

“We can’t destroy the inequities between men and women until we destroy marriage” ~ Robin Morgan. In 1970, Morgan described marriage as “a slavery-like practice” and said that marriage is the primary method for perpetuating the oppression of women.

3. Success Equals a Career

In the pursuit of equality with men, feminists have, to some extent, rejected feminine qualities that are necessary for building a healthy marriage and family. Instead, there has been an inclination to assign greater value to characteristics typically associated with men and professional employment.

This is not to say that women should not be gainfully employed. There is nothing wrong with a woman working to meet her needs or contribute to the household income. This is exemplified by the Proverbs 31 woman who is depicted as not only managing her household with skill and wisdom but also engaging in various part-time entrepreneurial pursuits.

However, the feminist push behind women excelling in their careers is fueled by the belief women must pursue the male version of what it means to be successful, to be happy and respectable. But this is simply not true.

If we go back to the Proverbs 31 woman we see that what sets her apart is not just her business acumen but her dedication to the well-being of her family and marriage.

She receives praise because of her excellent care for her husband, children, home, and community. Titus 2:3-5 also underscores this where older women are commanded to “teach young women what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.”

Unfortunately, the misconception that a woman’s worth is derived solely from a successful career has led many to devalue the significance of caring for a family. Homemaking skills have been undermined in favor of adopting traditionally masculine traits.

Consequently, many young women choose to delay marriage and having children, focusing instead on personal growth, financial independence, and building an empire. Having taken the feminist bait, they believe that this is what will make them attractive to their peers and the opposite sex.

Yet, this pursuit can lead to regret later on for several reasons. Firstly, women face biological limitations concerning the optimal time for childbirth, with safer and easier pregnancies typically occurring in their 20s and 30s rather than their 40s. 

Secondly, societal norms that downplay the importance of marriage and family while glorifying education and career achievements often leave women feeling conflicted and guilty for desiring a family of their own. Not to mention, many of them end up realizing that they desire to have a family when their years have significantly progressed making it more difficult to find a husband.

This is what happens when we deviate from God’s design for women. Feminism in this regard, comes up short in its promise that a woman’s quality of life will be improved by achieving the male version of success.

4. Women Don’t Need Men

The evolution of feminist perspectives has indeed taken various turns. Initially aimed at addressing the oppression of women, the movement shifted towards asserting equality with men. However, over time, a new perspective emerged among some feminists, asserting that women were not just equal but, in fact, superior to men.

This shift can be traced back to the feminist slogan “A woman without a man is like a fish without a bicycle,” implying that women don’t need men and can thrive independently.

The underlying message was clear: not only did women not need men, but they considered men inferior. They envisioned a utopian world where, if women were in charge, it would be free from greed, power struggles, wars, greed, and marked by peace.

This rejection of men has since taken a darker turn within the feminist movement. It has since morphed into hatred towards men. This hatred is manifested in various ways, such as dismissing simple gestures of chivalry, engaging in male-bashing as a social sport, and the use of catchphrases like “the future is female“. This shift in the narrative has led to women asserting their autonomy in a way that seems to diminish the contributions and value of men.

But this is yet another illusion. The streets, the bridges, the cars, the buildings, etc. that we use were primarily made by men. There is a high chance that our mechanics, plumbers, electricians, or even carpenters are men. Not to mention if there were no men we wouldn’t exist in the first place. I could go on and on but you get the gist.

Furthermore, this rejection has broader implications, especially from a theological standpoint. If women insist they don’t need men, then it raises the question of their relationship with God. After all, men are also created in God’s image, and God has ordained men as leaders in the church and the home. 

Moreover, Jesus Christ, our Saviour, is a man. So if feminists insist that they don’t need men, then where does the hope of their salvation lie? 

Consequently, this rejection of men has, in many ways, given rise to self-worship or goddess worship as an alternative to a masculine God.

“I feel that ‘man-hating’ is an honorable and viable political act, that the oppressed have a right to class-hatred against the class that is oppressing them.” ~ Robin Morgan, Second-wave feminist in “Lesbianism and Feminism: Synonyms or Contradictions?”, spring 1973, keynote address to West Coast Lesbian Feminist Conference, printed in Going Too Far: The Personal Chronicle of a Feminist, p 178.

“Let’s forget about the mythical Jesus and look for encouragement, solace, and inspiration from real women. Two thousand years of patriarchal rule under the shadow of the cross ought to be enough to turn women toward the feminist salvation of the world” ~From an article titled “Feminist Salvation.” by  Annie Laurie Gaylor in July/August 1988.

“If God is male, then male is God. The divine patriarch castrates women as long as he is allowed to live on in the human imagination.” ~ Second-wave feminist: Mary Daly (2015). “Beyond God the Father: Toward a Philosophy of Women’s Liberation”, p.40, Beacon Press

PLEASE NOTE: I know for some of you the feelings of hatred and anger towards men are not arbitrary. Perhaps you have been deeply hurt, caused insurmountable pain, or let down by the men you trusted in your life. I want to let you know that I sympathize with you. But allow me to submit to you that anger and hatred aren’t the answer. The answer is found in the transformative power of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. Christ bore the weight of our sins on the cross, providing a means for our redemption and reconciliation. Through Christ’s sacrifice, the Holy Spirit empowers us to extend forgiveness to those who have deeply wronged us. Thus, setting us free.

5. Sexual Liberation

The assertion that women are essentially the same as men, coupled with the idea that being a wife and mother equates to failure, not only influenced many women to delay or dismiss the concept of marriage in favor of careers, but also paved the way for the promotion of sexual empowerment.

Feminists boldly proclaimed that single women have sexual desires and should have equal sexual freedoms as men. They urged women to embrace their sexuality without shame, emphasizing that women should enjoy it without societal judgment or limits. They also asserted that women should have the right to pursue sexual pleasure for its own sake, separate from the confines of marriage and procreation.

Since engaging in sexual activity outside of marriage could lead to unplanned pregnancies, feminists were also instrumental in championing the creation of the pill and advocating for increased access to birth control.

Not only could the ability to control fertility, better position women to pursue education and career opportunities, they could also engage in sexual activity for enjoyment and intimacy without the fear of immediate and life-altering consequences. Hence, challenging the notion that sex should only be for procreation within the confines of marriage. Needless to say, this gave way to a celebration of singlehood and sexual exploration which still rings true today. 

However, the pursuit of sexual “liberation” has, in reality, brought increased levels of heartache to countless women. Furthermore, the illusion of “sexual equality” has resulted in widespread promiscuity, addictions, abortions, and the spread of venereal diseases. 

Note: It’s important to know that feminism today also challenges the fact that marriage can only be between a man and a woman. Now, to some of us, this may come as a shock but feminism has long been an ally in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights. In fact, fueled by hatred for men, in dating, some feminists view lesbianism as the only suitable choice when it comes to relationships. By challenging God’s design for marriage, feminism stands in opposition to God, His Word, and the Gospel (Gen 2:24; Matt 19:8).

“The women’s movement and gay and lesbian movements always come together, and our adversaries are always the same because the male supremacist, patriarchal, ultra-right-wing, religious fundamentalists, whatever you want to call it is devoted to saying that sex is only moral and okay when it is directed towards having children and occurs in patriarchal marriage, so the children are owned.” ~Gloria Steinem, Second Wave Feminist. Source: bigthink.com 

6. Abortion

Feminists argue that true freedom for women includes the right to decide whether to carry a pregnancy to term or to terminate it. This perspective is rooted in viewing a woman’s reproductive capacity as a weakness where unwanted pregnancies can be forced upon them.

But if you ask me, this is the result of buying the lie that women can pursue sexual intimacy outside of marriage without having to deal with the consequences. Nevertheless, most feminists view reproductive rights as being integral to achieving gender equality. 

Advocates of abortion within the movement argue that without control over reproductive decisions, women cannot fully participate in society on an equal footing with men. As such, access to abortion is viewed as a means to empower women and ensure that they have the same opportunities and rights as men.

But this goes against the Bible’s teaching about the sanctity of life as expressed in passages like Psalm 139:13-16 which shows God is intimately involved in the formation of a child in the womb. It says, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well”. Not to mention the act of abortion goes against the Bible’s commandment “Thou shalt not murder” (Exo 20:13).

Furthermore, the impact of abortion goes beyond getting rid of an unborn baby as many women experience devastating emotional, psychological, and spiritual trauma as a result. 

 “The most merciful thing that the large family does to one of its infant members is to kill it.”  From Chapter 5 of “The Wickedness of Creating Large Families.” (1920) by First Wave feminist, Margaret Sanger,  founder of Planned Parenthood, the biggest abortion institution in America

“If life is to survive on this planet, there must be a decontamination of the Earth. I think this will be accompanied by an evolutionary process that will result in a drastic reduction of the population of males.”~ Mary Daly, Second wave Feminist.

7. Women are Divine

Over time, feminism has also witnessed a shift in the perception of women’s differences from men. Rather than viewing these distinctions as weaknesses, feminists have come to see them as a source of pride and confidence by framing womanhood as a positive and empowering identity. 

Being a woman now seems to be regarded as a positive and empowering identity. To make it clear, there is nothing inherently wrong with taking pride in our womanhood. But feminism takes it to an extreme where womanhood is viewed as a perfect, amazing, divine, goddess-like gender in which women are incapable of doing anything wrong. 

Our only problem is being born into a male-dominated society. In essence, men are the sin that needs to be blotted out. According to this way of thinking, women have endured persistent victimization and oppression by men to such an extent that they shouldn’t be held responsible for their wrongdoing.

It’s from this line of thinking, that feminism suggests that the solution to the injustices committed against us by men is relying on ourselves to take care of ourselves, love ourselves, and worship ourselves.

Consequently, many women in this movement, turn to goddess worship as a means of self-affirmation and empowerment. A trend that has gained momentum on social media platforms where hashtags like #goddess, #divinefeminine, and #selflove are used to express and celebrate so-called female divine qualities.

However, embracing this unbiblical notion of femininity has consequences. It fosters self-absorption, egotism, and pride among women, which in turn leads to feelings of misery, loneliness, emptiness, and resentment. Moreover, it blinds women to their need for salvation, because why repent if you’re divine? 

“By the year 2000, we will, I hope, raise our children to believe in human potential, not God.” Gloria Steinem, Second Wave Feminist 

Related: Self Love: What Does the Bible Say About it?

The Problem Has Always Been Sin

While Feminists assert that the woes women have been facing for centuries are a result of the patriarchy (male-dominated society), the Bible tells us something different; the fall.

From a scriptural perspective, the tension between men and women began with the onset of sin.  Following the fall, God pronounced a curse upon humanity. This curse permeated into the fabric of marriage as seen in Genesis 3:16 where God tells Eve, “Your desire will be for your husband, yet he will rule over you.”

This initiated a dynamic where women often strive for control over their husbands, while men insensitively exercise authority over their wives.

This biblical passage not only sets the stage for ongoing marital conflicts but also hints at the broader tension between men and women. It highlights a scenario where women desire equality with men, while men oppress women. Much like we see today.

And while feminism emerged as a response to very legitimate injustices. it took a misguided path by failing to turn to God’s Word for guidance. 

By neglecting the wisdom of our Creator, feminism has evolved into its current form, emphasizing hatred toward men, blurring gender lines, promoting sexual liberation, and advocating for abortion, just to name a few.

When we lack faith in the Bible’s ability to provide sufficient guidance for our lives, we find ourselves in a situation akin to that which women within the feminist movement find themselves today: promoting sin. 

We Cannot Blame Men For Every Injustice

Because sin has played a pivotal role in shaping the brokenness we witness in our world today, it’s also crucial to recognize that as women, we can’t attribute every injustice or form of oppression solely to men. The truth is that women are just as capable of committing grievous sins as men are. 

The reality is that women are responsible for so much of the misery that other women endure as well. Therefore, it’s a lie that the world would be a perfect place if women were the ones in charge because yours and my biggest issue as women is that we are sinners. Therefore, we don’t get a pass for simply being women. 

As women, we must acknowledge that our primary issue is the same as men’s: we have all sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. As a result, we are wretched, depraved, and fundamentally corrupt. 

Therefore, the solution to the injustices we encounter isn’t found in denying male headship, harboring resentment towards men, prioritizing a career over marriage, engaging in promiscuity, advocating for abortion rights, promoting self-love, or embracing goddess worship. These responses are rooted in sin and only perpetuate further harm.

Furthermore, many of these proposed solutions turn women into perpetrators of harm and oppression themselves. Instead, we must seek a solution that addresses the root cause of our brokenness: our sinful nature.

So, What Is The Solution?

As we’ve seen the root of the struggles between men and women is traced back to the fall and the curse pronounced by God in Genesis 3. However, in Genesis 3:15 a hope for redemption is introduced. God promises a “seed” who would bring about the restoration and redemption of mankind.

The “seed” mentioned in Genesis 3:15 is the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who would ultimately triumph over sin and its effects. The Bible says that “while we were yet sinners Christ died for us” (Rom 5:8). 1 Peter 2:24 says, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.” Repenting and believing in Christ’s sacrificial death and resurrection is the solution to our sin problem.

The solution, therefore, for the atrocities committed against women, is not found in feminism. Neither is toxic masculinity the solution to the extremes of radical feminism. These only serve to exacerbate the battles of the sexes as we keep seeing. 

But here is the thing though, efforts to move away from feminism are ultimately futile if they aren’t grounded in God’s promised seed, Jesus Christ. Without Christ, feminism becomes the default response for women because of our sinful inclination.

It is only in Christ that we can be able to push back against the oppression of women and still love men as creatures created in God’s image just like us. It’s only in Christ that we can affirm God’s ordained hierarchy, without abusing its power.

Related: What is the Message of the Gospel?

God Addressed It First

I would also like to point out that God already addressed every issue for which feminism seeks solutions in His word.

As previously mentioned, Genesis 1:27 states, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” This underscores that women, as image bearers of God, possess inherent worth and value equal to that of men.

Therefore, there is no necessity to adopt feminism to advocate for this aspect of biblical doctrine. We do not need a modern movement to articulate these truths. The Bible and the Gospel already provide the foundation for advocating for women’s rights. So as Christians, our responsibility is to stand firm on its teachings.

In addition, as Christians, we find ourselves on the side that fights for the oppressed, marginalized, and abused by default. Psalm 103:6 says, “The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.”

Moreover, we also do not get to choose and pick sides. We fight for the rights of all because men and women are not inherently superior to one another; rather, all are one in Jesus. Galatians 3:38 put it this way “There is neither male nor female for you are all one in Christ Jesus”.

Final Thoughts

In the end, feminism attempts to give a secular solution to a problem that is primarily theological. As such, it’s an argument that exalts itself against the word of God (1 Cor 10:4).

While the abuse and discrimination against women are real, these are the symptoms of sin, not the patriarchy. For this reason, a great deal of the solutions it prescribes are not only wrong but also destructive.

As I’ve mentioned, the ultimate remedy for the sins of both men and women is found in Jesus Christ. And in Him, there is freedom.

As a Christian woman, I find solace in understanding that Christ has dealt with the problem of sin fully and finally. This knowledge helps me understand that I don’t have to be bitter, resentful, or covetous of the so-called patriarchy.

Neither do I have to suppress my natural inclination towards being a wife and mother by replacing them with some kind of boss-babe mentality that is ultimately unfulfilling.

And while traces of feminism occasionally resurface within me, I take comfort in turning to Christ. I am filled with hope, knowing that until I am called home, the God who granted me salvation through Christ will continue to shape me into the likeness of His Son.

If you happen to be reading this and have yet to believe in Christ’s sacrifice for you, I urge you not to harden your heart. Call upon His name and you shall be saved.

Resources used:

• Feminism by Sue Bohlin
• A Purpose Better than Feminism by Courtney Reissig
• Feminism’s Radical Agenda by John MacArthur
• Why Feminism and Christianity Can’t Mix by Kristen Clark
• Feminism and the Fall by Kristina Shiddell 
• Ten Lies of Feminism by Sue Bohlin
• Why Feminism Will Fail You by Allie Beth Stuckey

For further reading check out:

• Feminism’s Radical Agenda by John MacArthur
• Why Feminism Wants to Dismantle the Family (long) by Nikita Coulombe