Mary Pride Quote & The New Christian Feminism

 Here's a quote from the introduction of Mary Pride's book, The Way Home.  This is especially thought-provoking for me, as I'm just at odds with the way churches are run in America.  

          The sad truth is that the "traditional" role which feminists attacked in the fifties had already lost its scriptural fullness.  Christian women were staying home out of habit, not out of conviction.  Women had been robbed of their role, even though they were "in their place".  And they were robbed by the church.

          The Christian churches in this country had actually paved the way for feminism to succeed, even as preacher orated about the sanctity of motherhood!  Denominations endorsed family planning and "therapeutic abortion".  Church meetings were scheduled for every night of the week, giving out a clear message that family life was unimportant.  Ministry was considered more worthwhile than motherhood, as missionaries were expected to leave their children in boarding schools as a matter of course.  Church life centered on the church building, not the home.  Even in the church building, children were whisked out of sight into nursery, children's church, and their own Sunday School program. 

          At every turn Christian women found that their biological, economic, and social roles were considered worthless.  Men's ministry, men's money, men's building and programs - these were the areas that mattered.

          Today we are reaping the fruits.  Role obliteration is the coming thing in evangelical, and even fundamentalist, circles.  If women can't be women, by golly they will be men.  All because two or more generations have grown up and married without ever hearing that the Bible teaches a distinct role for women which is different from that of a man and just as important.         

          I've come across the organization Christians for Biblical Equality (CBE) a few times now.  Both times were connected to the marketplace of Christian writers.  This is scary to me.  CBE is nothing more than feminism dressed up with the word "Christian".  They despise Biblical roles for women, and work very hard at getting women into pastoral roles in churches. 

          Here's an article about the president, Mimi Haddad, where she claims that God can be refered to as "mother" as well as "father". For the best information on feminism, please read Mary Pride's book, "The Way Home".  She was once a staunch feminist and is very familiar with the core of their doctrine.  (Yes, I said doctrine.  Feminism, at its roots, is a religion.)  Her book is full of footnotes and references.  I am very seriously thinking of sending this book to every woman I know. 

         Why is this on my mind?  Well, we have a woman running for president.  If she wins she will bring great judgment on our country.  We will be in trouble.  Families and children will be targeted for destruction.  Though, she'll make it sound like she is protecting them.  Please pray fervently everyday that God will have mercy upon our sinful nation.  We deserve the judgment, there is no doubt of that.  Men have wimped out and stopped being the spiritual heads of home.  Women have become power-hungry and want to be just like men.  So they've neglected their homes and children in the name of career and even in the name of MINISTRY!!!!!  

       We DESERVE the judgment.  But God is a merciful God.  He has spared his children many times before.  Our prayers can bring mercy. 

10:25 PM - Oct. 1, 2007 - post comment

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I whole heartedly agree with what you have said here. and what Mary Pride said as well.

noahsmom - 9:21 AM - Oct. 2, 2007

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Great post!

That book changed my life. I didn't realize how much feminism was in my thinking until I read that book and it exposed the indoctrination I received through our schools and culture. I wish every mom could read that book. It really set me free. I can't imagine life without my six children, which would never have happened if I hadn't read that book. Great post!

momofsix - 2:51 PM - Oct. 2, 2007

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I agree 100%

Hi I just want to let you know that I agree with everything you have written in your blog. I haven't read Mary Prides book yet, I tried to find it at the library but they didn't have it, what a surprise hu. I was very happy to find your blog, it is so nice to read all that you have written, very inspiring! Thank you! I am a stay at home mom with two young boys that I homeschool in Washington State.

Anonymous - 2:03 PM - Oct. 5, 2007

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Untitled Comment

Preface - I have not read the book and know only what you have in your post about it.

First, a question: how do you define "Biblical roles for women?" I ask, because about the only thing that seems clear (although this is being debated, see #2 below) is that women are not to be pastor-teacher-elder-overseers. Pretty much everything else is left open for women in the church. In the family, men are instructed to be spiritual leaders, but that is a pretty fuzzy term and still leaves a lot of room open for women to do a lot of things.

Secondly, I think that organizations like CBE (again, don't know anything about them) are doing some good. For hundreds of years churches have failed to recognize the full equality of men and women and have failed to grant women the same basic value as men. This has lead to a marginalization of women in churches. If the present controversy (sparked and continued by organizations like CBE, I assume) can lead to the eradication of this mindset/the past set of abuses then I am all for an open discussion (note again, I don't necessarily agree with CBE, just saying they aren't necessarily all bad).

Finally, I will definitely disagree that if Hillary gets elected she will "bring great judgment on our country." (unless you are saying that other countries will judge us for having a woman president, which is possible, but I don't think God will) First, why would God be upset if we have a woman as president? He did not found our country, nor our form of government - we can choose whoever we want to be president and God doesn't care. "[His] kingdom is not of this world." Second, we are instructed to put our faith in God, not in "princes" (see Ps. 143:6). Our government and our chosen leaders will always fail us in some way, we just have to accept that. Finally, every leader sucks, and God is aware of that: "Is he not the One who says to kings, 'You are worthless,' and to nobles, 'You are wicked..." (Job 34:18). Even the best possible president we could have is still "worthless" and "wicked." God knows it. (All of this to say that God doesn't care who leads our nation. You are still free to disagree with Hillary on any issue she stands on [and I will be there arguing against her with you])

I will agree, however, that men have really wimped out. Which, I believe, is the problem more than women taking on too much of a role. The problem isn't that women are 'stepping it up' in a spiritual sense, but that women HAVE to because the men won't or don't. Men need to get a backbone again. Then women won't have to. Men should lead spiritually, but if they aren't leading a household, is it better for no one to lead the children or for the woman to step up and lead?

Just some ramblings at 2.30 AM because I drank too much coffee.

Love ya.
Glad to hear that Aunt Sissie got to have some fun with the boys.

The In-Law - 2:14 AM - Oct. 8, 2007

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