Baptist views on feminism

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leothelioness

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I'm just curious what my fellow Baptists think about feminism. I'm not talking about the radical feminism of the 60's and 70's, but traditional feminism.

I was raised very conservative Southern Baptist, but I've realised as of late that I'm a bit of a feminist. A lot of the old time Baptists believe that the woman's place is in the home and actually encourage women to stay barefoot and pregnant. I do not agree with this. I also do not take to well to the idea of "submitting" to my husband. I think we should be equal and show equal respect to each other.

Those are a couple of things right off that I can think of, but I just wanted to get everyone else's opinions on this as well. Feel free to include Scripture if you like.
 

edie19

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here's the deal

first, there's nothing that says submission = being a doormat, neither does it equate with being barefoot & pregnant

that said, if a husband loves his wife as Jesus the Christ loves the church submission isn't an issue!!!

most, if not all, Christian men I know depend on their wives, both desire and respect their opinion and input and consider them equal partners in their marriages - again, most if not all would even say that their wives are the "strength" in their homes

I especially want to emphasize - the two most conservative, God fearing men I know (my father and my pastor) treat women with more respect than anyone else I know - they don't make demeaning comments about women, they don't disparage their wives or other women they are acquainted with, they don't make off color jokes about or to women. They (my dad & my pastor) are this way because they love the Lord.
 
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I was raised very conservative Southern Baptist, but I've realised as of late that I'm a bit of a feminist. A lot of the old time Baptists believe that the woman's place is in the home and actually encourage women to stay barefoot and pregnant.

The highest calling a woman can have is to be a mother and a homemaker.

I also do not take to well to the idea of "submitting" to my husband. I think we should be equal and show equal respect to each other.

The Biblical teaching of submission has nothing to do with equality.
 
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As a teenage guy, I make my share of sexist jokes. (Not to be taken seriously, I promise! :p) I HIGHLY respect women and yes, they deserve equal treatment. Heh, I like what was said earlier: If the man loves his wife as he loves Jesus, there really is no problem.


It's funny that this comes up, actually. I recently split with a girl I had been with for six months a week after I accepted Christ because she was so dominant and I knew that it was not a godly relationship. After a discussion, she said, "So, it basically all boils down to Jesus, doesn't it?"


Yes. Yes, it does.
 
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Phileoeklogos

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I'm just curious what my fellow Baptists think about feminism. I'm not talking about the radical feminism of the 60's and 70's, but traditional feminism.

I was raised very conservative Southern Baptist, but I've realised as of late that I'm a bit of a feminist. A lot of the old time Baptists believe that the woman's place is in the home and actually encourage women to stay barefoot and pregnant. I do not agree with this. I also do not take to well to the idea of "submitting" to my husband. I think we should be equal and show equal respect to each other.

Those are a couple of things right off that I can think of, but I just wanted to get everyone else's opinions on this as well. Feel free to include Scripture if you like.




Regardless of what Baptist believe, or any abuse that may have been committed by some, shouldn't the greater question for you be, what does the Bible teach on the role of women in marriage and the church?

You say you are a "bit of a feminist" and the thought of submitting to a husband is not something you care for, OK, What if what you desire is in conflict with what the Bible teaches? What will you allow to shape you and whose image will you be conformed to?
 
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leothelioness

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The highest calling a woman can have is to be a mother and a homemaker.
I agree, but that isn't something that we should be relegated to without a choice otherwise. Some women don't want to have children. Some women like myself are not very domestic. So where does that leave us?


The Biblical teaching of submission has nothing to do with equality.
So are you saying that women are subordinate to their husbands? Are we mere property to them? In what ways do you believe women are not equal?
 
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leothelioness

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You say you are a "bit of a feminist" and the thought of submitting to a husband is not something you care for, OK, What if what you desire is in conflict with what the Bible teaches? What will you allow to shape you and whose image will you be conformed to?
Don't get me wrong, I don't mean that the woman should be able to boss the husband around. What I do mean is I would like to be able to have a say in things. I would like to be able to make decisions alongside my husband. The only thing I would not mind the man having complete say in is finances, as I've never been good with them.

Maybe a better question to ask is what is the Biblical definition of submission? What does that entail?
 
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Phileoeklogos

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Maybe a better question to ask is what is the Biblical definition of submission? What does that entail?




I was just going to say, "Ask your Husband", but how about this instead, You and your husband take a Bible and some time, and find out what the Bible teaches about what the role of the man is, the role of the woman is, and how they are supposed to live together in marriage, that will most likely answer all your questions and challenge you and your husband to live and love in a marriage that pleases God.
 
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Ave Maria

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Women should submit to their husbands.

Ephesians 5:22 KJV Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

Colossians 3:18 KJV Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.

The husband is the head of the household just as Christ is the head of man.

Ephesians 5:23 KJV 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.

Men and women are equal in God's eyes.

Galatians 3:28 KJV There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

That is what I think about feminism. :thumbsup:
 
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leothelioness

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I was just going to say, "Ask your Husband", but how about this instead, You and your husband take a Bible and some time, and find out what the Bible teaches about what the role of the man is, the role of the woman is, and how they are supposed to live together in marriage, that will most likely answer all your questions and challenge you and your husband to live and love in a marriage that pleases God.
So, I'm guessing you don't have an answer then. lol

BTW, I'm not married.
 
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Phileoeklogos

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So, I'm guessing you don't have an answer then. lol

BTW, I'm not married.


Oh I believe I know the answer, but would encourage you to find it for yourself.


BTW, since your not married and I wouldn't want you to wind a lonely old maid, I have a son about your age that I'd be willing to FED EX to your location at no charge to you. Do you cook? Because he has a serious food habit.
 
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leothelioness

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BTW, since your not married and I wouldn't want you to wind a lonely old maid, I have a son about your age that I'd be willing to FED EX to your location at no charge to you. Do you cook? Because he has a serious food habit.
LOL, yes I cook. But, what makes you think I'd end up an old maid?
 
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StreetPreacher82

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I'm just curious what my fellow Baptists think about feminism. I'm not talking about the radical feminism of the 60's and 70's, but traditional feminism.

I was raised very conservative Southern Baptist, but I've realised as of late that I'm a bit of a feminist. A lot of the old time Baptists believe that the woman's place is in the home and actually encourage women to stay barefoot and pregnant. I do not agree with this. I also do not take to well to the idea of "submitting" to my husband. I think we should be equal and show equal respect to each other.

Those are a couple of things right off that I can think of, but I just wanted to get everyone else's opinions on this as well. Feel free to include Scripture if you like.

Okay, here is my take...

I'm a weird combo... I call myself a Fundie-Conservo-Mod. I have developed my faith through all three and have found myself to be an interesting mix...

Now, my wife and I are equal partners. We work together as a team. There is no lacking of equality in our home. From our own studies, my wife has decided to give me the tie breaker as the head of the household. Honestly, its not something that happens often and I definitely do not take advantage of what I see a privilege.

We tend to forget that the same verses that mention women's 'biblical submission to men' also states that men are to treat their wives of high accord. Sadly, I feel some folks either miss or ignore that part altogether!
 
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jesusboughtme

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I was taught and am still treated as though being a woman is an insignificant bad thing. I never quite understood it. Thankfully I have a few friends in my life who treat me as equals and are helping me to understand that I don't need to be a feminist, but I do need to love myself for who God made me.
 
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Kilrathi827

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Okay, here is my take...

I'm a weird combo... I call myself a Fundie-Conservo-Mod. I have developed my faith through all three and have found myself to be an interesting mix...

Now, my wife and I are equal partners. We work together as a team. There is no lacking of equality in our home. From our own studies, my wife has decided to give me the tie breaker as the head of the household. Honestly, its not something that happens often and I definitely do not take advantage of what I see a privilege.

We tend to forget that the same verses that mention women's 'biblical submission to men' also states that men are to treat their wives of high accord. Sadly, I feel some folks either miss or ignore that part altogether!

I agree with you on this. A husband and his wife should be equal partners in a marriage. The wife's input should be listened to, valued by, and sought after by the husband. This is especially true on anything that involves the children, since by the nature of things she will probably know whats going on there more than he will. God made men and women differently, so that input will often help a guy to see things from a different perspective.

Biblical submission isn't about a wife letting a husband walk all over her. I believe it refers to the position of the husband as the decision maker for the family, and of the head of household. As a partner, a man's wife is an extremely valuable resource to him...this is why God himself said that a man should cling to his wife, and become as one being. All the roles of the family are a nature of give and take.
 
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Savedsis

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Woman was made from the rib of man, she was not created from his head to top him, Nor from his feet to be stepped on, She was made from his die to be close to him, near his heart to be loved by him..
I do think women are to be submissive to their husbands..
"Now this is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; She shall be called woman Because she was taken out of Man." Genesis 2:23,24.
Man-Adam being first formed,( 1 Tim 2:13) then Woman- Eve was made of the man and for the man (1 Cor. 11:8). Being last of creation, man was the best and most excellent of all, with this an honor was placed upon woman (for she was made after Adam and out of Adam) as the glory of man..This placement in creation for the woman also gives her reason for humility, modesty, silence, submissiveness and reverence, which wives owe their husbands..
Man is the head, she is the crown, a crown to her husband, the crown of visible creation..Here is the beauty of of what God did to and for Adam..Taking Adam's rib to create the woman, God presents the woman to Adam, he receives her and then they are joined together-again!
God's gifts to us should be received with a humble thankful acknowledgement of His wisdom in suiting them to us and His favor in bestowing them on us..If we graciously rest in God, God will graciously work all things for good (Romans 8:28,29).
 
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edie19

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Okay, here is my take...

I'm a weird combo... I call myself a Fundie-Conservo-Mod. I have developed my faith through all three and have found myself to be an interesting mix...

Now, my wife and I are equal partners. We work together as a team. There is no lacking of equality in our home. From our own studies, my wife has decided to give me the tie breaker as the head of the household. Honestly, its not something that happens often and I definitely do not take advantage of what I see a privilege.

We tend to forget that the same verses that mention women's 'biblical submission to men' also states that men are to treat their wives of high accord. Sadly, I feel some folks either miss or ignore that part altogether!

I agree with you on this. A husband and his wife should be equal partners in a marriage. The wife's input should be listened to, valued by, and sought after by the husband. This is especially true on anything that involves the children, since by the nature of things she will probably know whats going on there more than he will. God made men and women differently, so that input will often help a guy to see things from a different perspective.

Biblical submission isn't about a wife letting a husband walk all over her. I believe it refers to the position of the husband as the decision maker for the family, and of the head of household. As a partner, a man's wife is an extremely valuable resource to him...this is why God himself said that a man should cling to his wife, and become as one being. All the roles of the family are a nature of give and take.


glad to see such wisdom in such young men
 
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Phileoeklogos

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LOL, yes I cook. But, what makes you think I'd end up an old maid?



Your 20 and not married yet! Your parents must be getting nervous.


Nah, just kidding with you, one of my many character defects. I didn't get married until I was 25, all my sisters, friends and most of my cousins were all married before I was, so you know what I heard at every wedding I attended.


As you read the posts of brothers and sisters on this thread you see that a woman submitting to her husband means that she recognizes and respects his leadership, a position that is God ordained, it doesn't mean a woman is inferior or to be treated as a slave or any such thing, it's not about who does the dishes or who mows the lawn, it is something that will look a bit different in every home but follow the same principle.

Both the husband and the wife have responsibilities to one another and neither one got the easy part, some may say, Thats unfair, the man gets to be the leader, well who made us what we are. Any husband and wife that will do their best to learn and practice their God given responsibilities in marriage may hit a bump in the road now and then but for the most part they will find that they are living a blessed life that the world will never find.
 
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