In part one, I covered the history of feminism.

In part two, I addressed common ways feminism presents itself within the church.

Now, I want to start addressing solutions and preventions.

Do not let feminism establish the terms of debate.

One of the first steps to mitigating this issue is to not let feminism establish the terms of debate. Feminism begin with the presupposition that the Bible (God) teaches the control and oppression of women. Since that is false, that should not be the standpoint from which you debate.

The following are several key areas that demonstrate the Bible's elevation of women:

1. In the Protections of Laws and Commandments

In Exodus, the ten commandments were given in a time in the world when women were harshly mistreated. And the commandments never say, “Thou shalt not do this or that, unless it’s to a woman, then it's ok.” No. Breaking one of these laws still resulted in violation whether committed against male or female. Mothers were to be honored by their children just like fathers. Murdering a woman was just as against the law as murdering a man. Stealing or bearing false witness didn’t have an exception clause excluding women from these protections. The Law's very existence was unprecedented. The Ten Commandments provided laws that protected women just the same as men in a world that did not previously care much about women. God also implemented specific laws to protect widows and single women and to give them inheritances (Exodus 22:22; Deuteronomy 27:19; Joshua 17:3–4).

2. In Old Testament Stories

God inspired writers (who were male) to elevate women like Miriam, Deborah, Ruth, Hannah, Abigail, the Shunnamite woman, and Esther. In the book of Proverbs, wisdom is personified as a woman to which the young men should listen. If you are a man that grew up in church, these women were held up as examples to you of strength, courage, faith, prayer, loyalty, hospitality, self-sacrifice, and wisdom in the same way that Bible men were held up. God wanted them in there. (Exodus 1-2; Judges 4-5; Ruth 2:11-12; 1 Samuel 1:5-8; 1 Samuel 25; 2 Kings 4).

3. In New Testament Stories

In the New Testament, Mary Magdalene, Joseph's wife Mary, Mary of Bethany, Elizabeth, Martha, the woman at the well, Tabitha, Lydia, Priscilla, Phoebe were all written about (by men) in order to preserve for posterity the deeds of these women and the roles they played in the early church. What's more is that they're at times portrayed in a better light than the men! Again, all written by the men these women at times outshined. (Mark 15:47; John 20:1; Matthew 28:8; Luke 2:37- 38; Acts 1:14; Acts 16:14; Acts 18:18-26; Philippians 4:3).

4. In Changing the Societal Paradigms

To give you an idea of the culture in the days when the New Testament was written, one first century Rabbi, Eli’ezer said, “Whoever teaches his daughter Torah is considered as if he taught her foolishness.” Another Rabbi taught “Let the words of Torah rather be destroyed by fire than imparted to a woman.”

These extreme views were not taught to these men by God. Rather they were harmful interpretations that humans contrived. Then when Jesus entered this world He challenged many of these customs that put women below men. He elevated women in His ministry in ways that were unheard of for the day. Jesus placed much value on women. In a day when one's genealogy was used as His qualifications, Jesus’ genealogy highlighted five women including Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and of course Mary. A common practice was to hide the women and unliked ancestors in one’s pedigree. But the Lord's genealogy hid nothing. 

5. In Relationships of Protection and Provision

The passages explaining that wives are to submit to husbands, reverence husbands, and so on, are often misrepresented by feminists (Ephesians 5:22; Colossians 3:18). If submitting implies inferiority, they why was Jesus willing to submit to God the Father when He was not inferior but rather exalted (John 8:29)? Why are feminists willing to submit to a male employer but they don't consider that to imply inferiority? Often feminists ignore passages of the Bible that teach men to love their wives, respectfully care for them, honor them, learn about them to meet their specific needs, and teach their children to praise their mothers (Ephesians 5:21, 5:25-31; 1 Peter 3:7; Proverbs 31:28). Feminism is thus an attack on the Bible because they cherry pick its statements and hold a double-standard in which biblical roles are made to look oppressive and other positions are not.

All of this gives just a small glimpse into how the Bible has lifted women up. And there is so much more. Jesus never told a negative story about women. The first miracle was done at the request of a woman ( John 2:1-11). The first news of the incarnation went to a woman (Luke 1:35). The first Samaritan convert was a woman (John 4:39-42). The first person Jesus clearly told that He was the Messiah was a woman (John 4:26). Women were commissioned by Jesus to tell the news of the resurrection to the disciples. In Luke 10:38, Mary sat at Jesus' feet, and heard His word. This was a position commonly only given to men and yet she was welcomed there. Jesus even commended her for doing so. And I could go on. The notion that Bible promotes the oppression of women is simply and utterly false. 

Do not let feminism set the terms of the debate. This is the first solution.

Next time, we will look at the next solution which is to make certain every Christian woman knows that feminism is lying to them... about pretty much everything in practical life. I'll expose these lies for you in part four.