Discerning the truth as a Christian in a Radical Feminist environment.

Hey there.

I hope you are doing alright. So the series I kick started yesterday begins today. And so, I shall hand over the blog to my guest, Margaret Noblin. God bless.

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A law student I have been mentoring asked me if I would answer some tough questions that were coming up with her friends, so I agreed to provide answers to the questions.

The advice below should help us as we discuss these things with non-believers.

“Live wisely among those who are not believers and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone” (Colossians 4:5-6).

Introduction and Disclaimer

To make sense out of complicated world-view topics, we first need to identify our starting point for the discussion. This starting point is influenced by our history, family role models, religious beliefs, educational influences, the media, and our peers. It requires an honest evaluation of the factors that influence us because they impact all our filters when discussing a topic. Are we willing to be open minded to being challenged about our current beliefs?

• First, if you are a Christian do you believe Jesus to be who He says He is as Lord? If not, is He a liar or a lunatic as C.S. Lewis puts it?
• Second, do you believe that the Bible is true and made up of mysteries, poetry, historical documentation, parables, allegories, and a variety of literary styles to explain God’s perspective?  If not, why have so many people read it as a guide for their lives and many atheists have said it is true.  (Case for Christ, Lee Stroebel)
• Third, do you believe in eternal life and God’s plan of restoration? Do you believe He created everything and is in control of everything? If not, do you believe you can control everything in your life? If so how? Do you understand faith in God and not in a result?
• Fourth, what is the purpose of your life as a Christian? If you believe it is to honor God in all your decisions, then you have a truth north compass for your life. If not, you may be in a state of confusion, conflict, chaos, or lacking confidence. Do you understand what it means to be a child of God, created in His image? Is this your main identity?
• Fifth, do you understand God’s character and able to measure your decisions based on what He would want you to do?  If not, why are you a Christian? Is it only a cultural label or the condition of the heart?

The fifth question is the part of being a Christian that leads to discernment in our decisions. Without knowing God’s perspective, we cannot make decisions that honor God. We say “yes” to God or “no” to God by our decisions, actions, and words.

Before answering the other questions, we need to know where we each stand on these issues. Do we have head knowledge as a Christian or is what we believe in our hearts or is it just a label we give ourselves? The answer requires honesty with our selves. When we do realize what we believe in our hearts as Christians, we have peace and hope because we know our life on earth is but a moment, and our eternal life is everything.

To give you a taste of my background, I am American, and from Texas. My grandmother told me as a child about the time when women in the U.S. first got the right to vote and she influenced me about the importance of voting. I had my first job at 16 years old working in a high-end department store in Dallas called Neiman-Marcus.  Stanley Marcus was the owner. Every Saturday morning, he would meet the entire staff for a pep talk. He was a fantastic manager and motivator in the fashion industry. As a young teenager it was my first experience working with professional men and women. It was in the late 60s. As I look back, I was trained well, given professional expectations, required to be accountable with money and expected to treat all my coworkers both men and women with respect. I never once felt discriminated against, like I was less than anyone else, even though I was young. My experience created a foundation for my own expectations of the workplace, both male and female colleagues and what professional behavior looked like.

During university, Women’s Liberation was becoming popular on campus with “Consciousness Raising Sessions” and professors wanting to influence our minds to become activists. At the time I was newly married, and my husband was supportive of my educational goals and career. We shared the household chores and worked. I continued to work part time while going to school in a retail department store.  I had some great friends and bosses who were respectful men. One evening I was invited to a meeting with a friend. She wanted me to understand that I was a victim and needed to stand up for myself.  It was important for me to listen to what other women in the “movement” were saying. I have always been open to learning new things but also evaluating things with my personal experience and the evidence.

As a Christian in later years and throughout my career in the corporate world I have to say I have been fortunate in my positions and interaction with my coworkers. Are there evil people out there? Yes. Are there standards of conduct which are inappropriate? Yes. Are there situations where things are not equal? Yes.  Are there reasons for all these things that can be complicated? Yes.

Does the Bible give us guidelines about how we are to live? Does it give us information about how the family is structured to work the best? Does it reveal how women in leadership are to lead and interact with men in the workplace? Does it show God’s perspective of how He values men and women equally even though He created them biologically different? Does it clarify the difference between a worldly view and a godly view of things? Does it provide truth and clarity about topics such as course talk, discrimination of tribes, noble character, honesty, evil, divisiveness, being a victim or a conqueror and things that are consequences of our decisions? In my opinion it does, if we are willing to open our minds to God’s character and perspective as it compares to that of the world.

As we go through the questions, my perspective will be one of truth with a Biblical foundation. I do not discount that there is much evil around the world and much exploitation of women. However, I believe that how we approach these issues will determine the positive outcome in our communities world-wide. Please bear in mind that my experiences in the U.S. are different culturally than Uganda in many ways. I find in all cultures there are un-Biblical things going on that cause pain, hostility, inequity, and unjust situations. Hopefully, we can examine the root cause of these things so we can look to respectful solutions as we impact one person at a time in our world through our examples as women. My filter consistently is empowering people to be all God created them to be. I believe each person is unique and significant to God whether they are male or female. I avoid the label of victim because I find it very unproductive and an opening for the enemy to manipulate, deceive and discourage. When we believe we are victims it impacts our actions, speech, and relationship with God.

Below are the questions I will be discussing one at a time:

1. Is there anything such as Biblical feminism? If yes, how do you reconcile the two belief systems? And if no, what’s the difference with secular feminism?
2. How does one (Christian & Feminist girl) reconcile the way minority women are portrayed in the Bible especially in Paul’s letters, with one’s feminist beliefs?
3. Is the Bible pro-feminism & anti patriarchy? Or there is no particular stand.
4. As a Christian feminist, how can my desire to see justice for sexually abused females, tally with the teachings on forgiveness and “casting the first stone”? Jesus said she was not condemned but He also said, “go and sin no more.” He did want the best for her and stated this to direct her on a more positive path.
5. When Paul says “submit to your husband” did that mean doing house chores and adhere to every command of your husband?
6. What did Paul mean in 1 Timothy 2:10-15 when he said, “women must keep quiet.”
7. What’s your take on pro-choice especially with sex workers who earn their living from the same?
8. What’s you take on marital rape? Do you think feminism has helped girls to advance in knowledge such as go to school and inherit property?
9. Why did Jesus have only male disciples? Why is he portrayed as a man?
10. Is there anything wrong with a woman being politically and economically dependent?
11. How would a Christian girl who believes in helping women to reach their full potential do so without affiliation with feminism?
12. What is your take on inter-sexuality and how can a Christian handle this?

Margaret Noblin, The Rock Outreach-US 501c3/The Rock Kingdom LTD-Uganda NGO

You can get her on email too for any inquiries at [email protected]