Feminism and Christianity : concord or conflict? : an honors thesis (HONRS 499)

Abstract

This thesis explores possible routes toward reconciliation between feminists and Christians in our society. The strategies of evangelical feminists are examined and utilized to make seemingly sexist Biblical passages more understandable and less derogatory toward women, approaching the issues of male authority and the acceptable role of women in the early church through contextual and linguistic analysis. The view of traditionalist Christians is further explained and compared to that of evangelical feminists with the ultimate goal of reconfiguring the arguments between these two ideologies and creating a mutual understanding that has the potential to benefit women both socially and spiritually.