Comments on: The “Christian” Objectification of Women

By: christianepicurean

christianepicurean — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 16:48:32 +0000

Great thoughts Rachel. I have recently been struggling/wrestling with these questions myself. My wife is about to start her internship for her doctorate in clinical psychology, and I wanted her to find the best possible place–empowering her to go where she wants to be (and by the way, she received her top choice, Evanston, WY). But throughout the process I have questioned my manhood because of deeply ingrained beliefs from the Evangelical culture. Am I really being a man by following my wife? Is this what a man does? Or should I be making decisions? But along the way, God has reminded me through job possibilities and through the words of others, that I am not forgotten and that He is caring for me very specifically. The process is definitely making me trust that maybe marriage is not about specific roles, but about a mutual empowerment stance, where I seek to bring out the best in my wife, Claire, and she seeks to bring out the best in me.

By: Lola

Lola — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 15:08:25 +0000

New to your blog, but found this post via Facebook and I’m so glad I did! I just wanted to comment that maternal mortality is still shockingly high in the US (see: //www.amnestyusa.org/our-work/campaigns/demand-dignity/maternal-health-is-a-human-right/maternal-health-in-the-us).

I think the disparaging way feminism is often spoken about in the United States can sometimes distract from the reasons WHY we need empowered women in this country. There is still lots of change that needs to happen, and surely living a life in service to others (as Christ calls us) can have huge impact even within our own borders.

By: Tim

Tim — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 15:03:45 +0000

Are women the subjects of their own lives or objects who exist for teh purpose of other people’s lives? Outstanding question, Rachel. Just last night I was reading Carl Trueman on studying theology, and he pointed out that God is the subject of theology, not its object. Since women are made in the image of God, I figure women truly are designed – as you suggest – to be the subject of their lives.

Patriarchy? It’s only biblical in the sense of being descriptive as culturally relevant to those times. It’s not biblical in the sense of being normative for all times, any more than slavery is. Come to think about it, I can see a lot of parallels between patriarchy and slavery.

Nice job with this one today, Rachel.

Tim

P.S. If you get a chance, Nick just posted a guest piece I did on Bible literary imagery. Nothing earth-shatteringly insightful, but I hope it might get some thinking or a bit of discussion going: //theradicaljourney.com/2012/06/28/guest-post-how-to-make-a-memorable-point/

By: from two to one

from two to one — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 12:09:32 +0000

Thank you so much for this, Rachel. I am often nervous about asserting that there is a more direct connection than most people — especially Christians — would want to be between patriarchy and these abuses against women. I wrote about it today, actually: //bit.ly/MXD3W4. Thanks again for helping me to not feel so alone in these thoughts.

By: Judy

Judy — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 10:57:52 +0000

Some patriarchal teachings forget that women (not men) are listed as the primary supporters of Jesus’ ministry (Luke 8:3). I don’t believe this was mentioned by accident…