WAS JESUS A FEMINIST?
Key Facts
About six-in-ten U.S. women today say “feminist” describes them very (19%) or somewhat (42%) well. [1]
A majority of Americans (64%) say feminism is empowering and 42% see it as inclusive. At the same time, 45% say it is polarizing and 30% say it’s outdated. [2]
Key Scriptures
Genesis 1:27 “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”
Galatians 3:28 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Judges 4:4 “Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time.”
Genesis 2:18 “Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.’”
1 Corinthians 11:3 “But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.”
Luke 8:1-3 “Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means.”
Application
The term “feminism” can bring about strong feelings of distaste for many Christians, but others claim that Jesus was a feminist Himself. Jesus’s life, including his interactions with women, should be a model for Christians. As Christians try to emulate Christ, we can look at His treatment of women. Was Jesus really a feminist?
Defining Feminism
Although feminism can simply be defined as the belief that women and men should have equal rights and opportunities, this is not a holistic definition for many feminist groups. As others have noted, feminism is a range of movements with different ideals and purposes. Their ideals are often expanded to include ideas such as transgender womens’ rights, systemic misogyny, and beliefs about toxic masculinity. Their goals can range from changing social norms to punishing those who stand against the political, economic, and social advancement of women. Some of the more radical forms that have permeated culture are separatist feminism, transfeminism, and sex-positive feminism. These forms of feminism can influence the way that people understand the term and make Christians less likely to identify as “feminists.”
How Jesus Interacted with Women
Jesus’s interactions with women not only help to answer the question “Was Jesus a feminist?” but they also set an example for Christians. The gospels record Jesus interacting with many women, and we cannot discuss each recorded interaction here. However, by looking at a few passages, we can gain insight into Jesus’s attitude towards women.
Luke 8:1-3 reveals that women traveled with Jesus and the disciples as well as financially supported His ministry. This demonstrates that all people with a heart to serve God were able to use their gifts, skills, and possessions to serve God.
Mark 5:25-34 and John 4:1-42 show two examples of how Jesus treated women with inherent dignity, even those who were devalued in society. In Mark 5, a woman touched Jesus’s cloak hoping to be healed from her bleeding illness. Jesus treated the unclean woman with respect, even praising her for her faith. In this time period, the woman would have been considered perpetually unclean. The combination of the woman being female and her “unclean” status resulted in her becoming a second-class citizen or worse. Jesus makes it clear through his healing and interaction with her that he values her and her role in the kingdom as a faithful servant. This model for interacting with women who were not accepted by the culture is also shown by Jesus’s interactions with the Samaritan woman in John 4. Jews did not associate with Samaritans, and it would have been unheard of for a Jewish man to associate with a Samaritan woman, but Jesus turns these social norms on their head and approaches the woman anyway. He teaches her about the kingdom of heaven and tells her that He is the Messiah. After their interaction, the woman shares her testimony and many Samaritans were saved. Jesus shows that women, even those who society doesn't look highly upon, can have a significant place in the kingdom of heaven as a righteous servant and faithful evangelist.
Matthew 5:27-29 broaches the topic of adultery in an unexpected way. He goes further than the Old Testament by highlighting the sinful state of the human heart. In the Old Testament, it is written that you shall not commit adultery, but now Jesus says that if you look at a woman lustfully you have committed adultery with her in your heart. This puts the responsibility for purity, honor, and morality on both men and women. This shows that Jesus had an understanding of women that was uncommon at the time. He revealed that women are not objects, but people to be honored in not only our actions but also in our thoughts.
Jesus’s dealings with women were often seen as unconventional and sometimes violated cultural norms, but this never kept him from displaying the biblical truths about women in a practical way. Jesus shows that he believed in the value and dignity of women by treating them with biblical respect and decency despite people’s criticisms.
What Biblical Feminism is
Based on what the Bible says about women and how Jesus treated them, we can gain an understanding of what feminism grounded in Scripture can look like.
At the heart of it, biblical feminism values women in principle and in practice. Even when the culture treats women as though they are of less value than men, Christians should stand up against it (Prov. 31:8-9). Biblical feminism has a heart to hear the dangers or disadvantages that people may face and work against them (Isa. 1:17).
Biblical feminism recognizes both the equality and uniqueness of women (Gen. 1:27; Ge. 2:18). Women are created with equal value, and Jesus treats them with equal respect and dignity. However, this does not mean that they can or should be able to do everything a man can do. Although men can do some things that women cannot or should not do and women can do things that men cannot or should not do, this in no way undermines their equality. Men and women were created with unique gifts, skills, and attributes. The God-given differences between men and women can be used to complement one another rather than be a source of competition (Mark 10:6-8).
Biblical feminism does not rebel against God-given hierarchies and authorities (1 Pet. 5:5; Eph. 5:22). In all of our interactions, both men and women are called to be servants of one another (Gal. 5:13). If our desire in seeking feminism is to gain power or to buck against authority, this is the wrong attitude to have. Service to one another for the sake of the gospel is a foundational Christian attitude that both men and women should exhibit.
Biblical feminism recognizes that although social change is important, it is not a Christian’s primary goal. Jesus’s ministry was not primarily to effect change here on earth, but to bring eternal life (John 3:16). Christians should emulate this focus by being kingdom-minded in their understanding of women rather than having a sole focus on women’s earthly rights in this world (Matt. 6:33).
Conclusion
It is clear that Jesus believed women have inherent value by virtue of being created in God’s image and that He has given them a place to be faithful servants in the kingdom of heaven. The term “feminism” can bring about strong feelings and some may feel that the word has connotations which misrepresent their position. It is for this reason that some Christians may choose to avoid giving themselves the label of feminist. Others may find it okay or even helpful to identify with the term feminist. Such variation with labels is okay as long as Christians align their beliefs about women and actions towards women with biblical truth and communicate these truths clearly. Jesus set an example for how we should interact with women by showing them respect, valuing their opinions, and giving them important roles in his life and the church.