FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT

Feminism, according to google, at its core, desires to have equal outcomes of the sexes in the social, economic and political realms. As feminism has progressed and changed into something that desires to make men and women completely interchangeable; it has attempted to destroy Gods good design for men and women. The normal gender roles have been labeled as sexist, bigoted, and must be thrown out to achieve “equality.” The very characteristics that God designed men and women to have and be used to glorify Himself in this world are not only considered antiquated, but also hateful. However this is nothing new. MacArthur explains in his commentary of Titus 2, “The ideas of radical feminism were an integral part of ancient Babylonian and Assyrian mythology as well as of Greek Gnosticism which flourished throughout the Roman Empire during NT times and posed a constant danger to the early church. Modern feminism is neither new nor progressive; it is age old and regressive.” As Christian woman we need to understand why our culture thinks this way and unashamedly embrace the role of biblical womanhood.

Our culture seems to associate whoever has the most authority with the ultimate power and, therefore, ultimate value. Consequently, everything they do on a cultural or political level is to attempt to usurp authority in every arena of life. The reason for this can be found in the story of the fall. The curse that God gives to the woman in the garden is, “your desire should be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.” MacArthur explains, “because of sin the man and woman will face struggles in their own relationship. Sin has turned the harmonious system of God-ordained roles into distasteful struggles of self-will.” God designed the roles for men and women perfectly. However, sin acts as the agent that distorts the harmony of our view of these roles. Consequently men and women, apart from God’s help, fight over dominance, authority, and to have their own way.

With all that being said, to understand authority more deeply we should look to the one who had the greatest authority, namely Jesus. Jesus had ultimate authority and yet came as a servant (Philippians 2). John Piper points out, “This point is often missed by evangelical feminists. They conclude that a difference in function necessarily involves a difference in essence; i.e., if men are in authority over women, then women must be inferior. The relationship between Christ and the Father shows us that this reasoning is flawed. One can possess a different function and still be equal in essence and worth. Women are equal to men in essence and in being; there is no ontological distinction, and yet they have a different function or role in the church and home. Such differences do not logically imply inequality or inferiority, just as Christ’s subjection to the Father does not imply His inferiority.” Although I think the term “evangelical feminists” is an oxymoron, Piper makes an important and true point. Authority does not equate to value. All of us are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26, 27) and therefore are valuable for that reason and that reason alone. The amount of authority or power you or I have is irrelevant. 

Everything God designed is perfect and good (Genesis 1:31). Titus 2 lays out the roles and expectations for every person in the church. Specifically younger women are to, “love their husbands and children, be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands.” We can honor Christ by submitting to what God says in His word about the roles for men and women and their function in the church and home. MacArthur explains of Eve in the garden, “As soon as Eve did not completely, wholeheartedly, and unreservedly trust the Word of God as absolutely true and the source of her highest joy, greatest good, deepest satisfaction, broadest pleasure and most consonant fulfillment- at that moment the sin of mistrust corrupted her heart.” We need to trust that God knows best and that His Word is perfect (Psalm 18:30). Whether a person is single, married, kids or no kids we can all honor Christ by submitting to Him, trusting that His word is true, and believing in it that we find our greatest joy. No matter what stage of life you are in, we are all commanded to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present time while we await of the appearing of our Lord (Titus 2:12). May He help us in this endeavor.

Rachel is a wife and mother of four young children. She has a love for listening to expository preaching, theology, and doctrine. She desires to make Christ known through her marriage, parenting, and in every word and deed.