True Or False? Christianity Is Misogynistic.

Christianity gets a lot of criticism for its teachings, moral standards, leaders, and well, existing. Some of the criticism is warranted, but sometimes it’s based completely on lies. Today we’ll look at a lie that is as tiresome as it is pervasive. Christianity is misogynistic.

What Is Misogyny?

Misogyny is used to describe attitudes and behaviors that degrade, insult, or abuse women solely based on sex. Therefore, taking it a step further, a misogynist is a person who hates, mistreats, and/or looks down on women because they are women. Often, misogyny is brought up while discussing one of the greatest sins in churches, and really, in America. The Patriarchy.

Patriarchy is defined as a system of society or government in which men hold the power and women are largely excluded from it. By that definition, huge portions of society are patriarchal. Various churches, businesses, entire fields of study… If you notice, though, the definition assumes women are excluded from these areas of life which gives off an impression of purposefully leaving them out. As I often remind my children, words matter, and this definition implies malicious intent.

When you pull all these terms and their assumptions together, you get a picture of men gathering with plans to form institutions meant to harm and degrade women while engineering establishments to function with one major goal in mind. Keep those women folk out! It’s a bit Disney villain to me, and it assumes the worst about men. It also sounds suspiciously like a heavy dose of feminism. Women look at Bible-believing churches and say, “There’s nothing here for me.” Why? Because they can’t be in charge of it. They don’t get to be the main event and call the shots. They don’t seem to understand that something isn’t inherently misogynistic just because men are in charge.

Serious Accusation, But…

Calling Christianity misogynistic is an enormous accusation against the Church and Jesus Christ. Not to mention what it says about the men we love and even ourselves. Imagine what Christianity would actually be like if it were, in fact, misogynistic. Terrible, right? Well, that’s what many unbelievers think, and more and more churches have adopted this accusation as reality. In response, they’re putting women in leadership positions (some of which are reserved for men), having women (like Jen Wilkin) speak to and train pastors on how to make women feel more included, and going as far as to reject any biblical teaching that separates men and women in their roles and responsibilities.

Inspect Ourselves

Before we throw up our arms in disgust, though, we need to be willing to be honest with ourselves about the Church. There is misogyny in the Church. Even if news of misogyny didn’t reach my ears, I’d still be certain of it. Why? Because no matter how hard we try or how willing we are to follow Christ, we’re still sinners. Misogyny is everywhere to some extent just as there are racists, criminals, and adulterers in all corners of society, as well.

Let’s also be wise enough to understand that there are people who use the Bible to further their sinful agendas. Some men will, under the cover of the Bible, use male headship and cherry-picked verses (especially from Paul) to bully and hurt their wives. It’s not true Christianity, but friends, don’t count on the world to know the difference. Sadly, you can’t count on everyone in the Church to discern the difference either because far too many believers employ little to no discernment about “spiritual” teachings. They simply accept what they are told.

We can see examples of misogyny and the weaponization of the Bible in two documentaries that came out in 2023. One was Shiny, Happy, People: Duggar Family Secrets, and the other was entitled Let Us Prey: A Ministry of Scandals. Both outlined spiritual and physical abuse toward women under the guise of sound doctrine. Not only did horrible things happen, but now the whole world knows and has applied those sins to Christianity as whole rather than to the monsters who committed mental, spiritual, and physical abuse to innocent victims.

Where Christians Stand

We have pastors and teachers flocking to both sides of the issue while many of us remain tethered to God’s Word. On one side, you have men like Doug Wilson, pastor of Christ Church in Moscow, Idaho, who spends an inordinate amount of time teaching about keeping women in their place and referring to them in crude terms and, sometimes, even by their body parts. On the flip side, we have men like Matt Chandler, pastor of The Village Church in Flower Mound, Texas (outside of Dallas) who promotes Jen Wilkin and Beth Moore as speakers/preachers and examples of female leadership in the church. He also has several female deacons.

So, we have misogynists on one side and knee-jerk reactions to misogyny on the other side that is removing the roles of men in women in the Church. And here we are…stuck in the middle.

The Bogus Reasons Christianity Is Misogynistic

So, is Christianity misogynistic? No. I’m just going to tell you that up front. However, we should examine the common “reasons” people give for why they think Christianity is misogynistic.

1. Christianity is misogynistic because the Bible was written by men.

Humanly speaking, we know that around forty men wrote the Bible over a span of approximately 1,500 years. From the world’s perspective, those men wrote their opinions and their biases into Scripture. Most people see it as an untrustworthy book. This is even true in many progressive churches that teach it was written for a particular time and place, but a great deal of it can be altered or left behind now.

Believers should understand that the world, yet again, has it all wrong. Forty men wrote the Bible, but God is the Author.

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”

2 Timothy 3:16

“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”

2 Peter 1:20-21

“For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.”

1 Thessalonians 2:13

2. Christianity is misogynistic because God’s thinking is conveniently similar to that of men.

O.K. Here’s the thought. Feminists read the Bible and/or hear a church teaching, and then they assume anything they don’t like must have been made by men because it lines up so well with what men would want.

For instance, men would want women to follow their lead. Men would want God to be a Father rather than a mother. Men would want women to be keepers of the home while they get to go out and work. Well, that’s what the critics would say.

On the other hand, using any amount of critical thinking should make us rethink this conclusion. For example, why would men create such strict rules regarding physical intimacy? I mean, is that what the flesh really wants? Why not have as many wives as you want…and girlfriends? Would men create a faith that makes an acceptable divorce so limited in scope?

Not to mention, men probably wouldn’t create a religion in which they were meant to provide for their families and bear responsibility for the spiritual well-being of their wives and children. Those are heavy burdens to carry. If men tried to make up a religion over the course of 1,500 years through forty men in order to give themselves the best-case scenario, then they did a pretty crummy job making it serve their desires.

3. Christianity is misogynistic because of submission.

Oh, boy, submission. Critics of the faith view submission as a method to demean women and showcase their inferiority.

“Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.”

Ephesians 5:22-24

Are these verses describing subjugation? Is this servitude? Just read the next verse to find out.

“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;”

Ephesians 5:25

How much does Christ love the Church? He laid His life down for it despite having been nothing but perfect. That’s a tall order for a husband. It certainly doesn’t leave room for subjugating his wife and treating her like property. As if that wasn’t enough of a challenge to men concerning how they treat their wives, Ephesians has a little more to say.

“So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.”

Ephesians 5:28-30

How many men do you know who wouldn’t protect their bodies? Which men simply don’t have a vested interest in taking care of their bodies? Sure, maybe they don’t always do a great job with this in our opinions, but they make sure to eat, sleep, and wear clothes in which they feel comfortable. And that’s at a bare minimum.

Servant Jesus

Men have big shoes to fill. Whether it’s the Lord washing the disciples’ feet (John13:5) or Jesus demonstrating sacrificial love on the cross, He loved and cared for those around Him. It’s a love no man will ever be able to duplicate, but they are expected to strive to model their love after Jesus. A true Christian man with a heart after God is not a misogynist because the Cornerstone of our faith is not one.

I have one final thought on submission. Jesus submitted to the Father when He took our punishment on the cross. Who are we, ladies, to say that submitting to someone else’s authority is beneath us? Are we, somehow, better than our Lord and Savior?

Is submission uncomfortable for you? You’re not alone, but it’s time to get over it. Serve and submit as the Bible instructs. Not sure how? Look to Jesus.

4. Christianity is misogynistic because of complementarianism.

When it comes to gender roles, Christians usually fall into one of two camps. Complementarians believe men and women have different but complementary roles. Egalitarians don’t generally recognize defined gender roles. Most conservative churches fall into the complementarian group. To egalitarians, however, complementarians are pushing misogyny.

Some folks just can’t understand how men and women can have different roles while still being equal. Amusingly, women have less trouble telling men what they cannot do or say because they’re men than they do accepting that they, too, may have some limitations or specific responsibilities. Never tell one of these women she can’t participate in something, but you better believe she’ll be the first to tell a man he can’t have an opinion on an issue she deems a “woman’s issue.”

I’d like to point out that we all have specific roles in our lives. When I’m with my father, I’m a daughter. As I raise my children, I am in a mother role. I’ve been a friend, coworker, boss, etc. You get the idea. In each of these relationships, there are understood roles and expectations each person involved adheres to. This isn’t degrading. No one is inferior. It’s simply the nature of the relationship. It’s only natural that we would have defined roles in our faith and marriage, too.

We even see this with the Trinity. Which member of the Godhead is inferior? I’m praying you’re thinking, “None.” Each person of the Trinity has a distinct role, but the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit don’t rank one over another in value. There’s an example of cooperation in that relationship we should embrace as our own.

Christianity Is Not Misogynistic…Says The Bible

If you read the Bible with an understanding of context and who God is, then it’s obvious Christianity isn’t misogynistic. However, we can also take a quick look at some well-known portions of Scripture and see a faith built on love, grace, and spiritual equality.

1. Jesus rescues the adulteress (John 8:9-11)

This was the perfect opportunity to teach misogyny. The woman in the story was caught with another man, and it was within Jewish law to stone her. Rather than punish her for being an unfaithful woman, Jesus challenged the crowd to examine themselves before throwing a stone. She walks free and hopefully saved.

A misogynistic Jesus would have shamed her, blamed her alone for the adultery, and made a spectacle of her sin and subsequent punishment. Instead, He showed grace and took the opportunity to teach the onlookers (and the woman) a lesson about sin, grace, and forgiveness.

2. The woman at the well (John 4:3-42)

Here we have another woman who would have been seen a very negative light. No decent Jew would have dealings with her, but Jesus saw her as person with value and revealed who He was to her. The Messiah.

We are seeing yet another example of Jesus missing His opportunity to degrade a woman. He offered her “living water” and the hope that one can only find in Him.

3. Women consistently received and accepted the gospel. (Acts 8:12, 17:12)

First century women weren’t treated well or seen in equal standing with men. Jesus operated in opposition to all that by making salvation available to everyone. He didn’t turn women away who wanted to follow Him and be children of God. Rather, He welcomed them. The gospel was and is for men and women. Christ died for us all.

4. Women were accepted as laborers in ministry efforts.

“I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.”

Philippians 4:2-3

In the closing to Romans (16:1-27), Paul greets 29 people by name who he acknowledges as co-laborers in Christ. At least nine of them (maybe 10) are women. That’s pretty ironic considering those who claim Christianity is misogynistic lay much of the blame at Paul’s feet. After all, he’s the man who told women to submit. I’ve shared the women’s name below and some information we know about them.

Pheobe (v.1-2) – She was servant of the Lord and likely delivered this letter to the church in Rome.

Epenetus (v.5b) – She was the first Christian convert in Asia.

Mary (v.6) – She “bestowed much labor.”

Junia (v.7) – There isn’t complete agreement on whether Junia was a man or woman, but generally, she’s accepted as a female.

Tryphena and Tryphosa (v.12) – They “labor[ed] in the Lord.”

Rufus’s mom (v.13) – As a mom, is there anything more relatable than being referred to as your child’s mom rather than by your first name?

Julia (v.15)

Nereus’s sister (v.15)

This wasn’t a boys’ club. Paul says these women labored with him. They had value and worth. They, too, could share the Good News and minister to people’s spiritual needs.

And lest we forget, Jesus also included women in His work on Earth. Some examples from the Bible include Mary Magdalene, Lydia (who used her home for meetings), and Mary the mother of James and Joses.

5. The Verses That Clearly Show Us Christianity Is Not Misogynistic

There is a small section of Scripture that gets abused by egalitarians and used to show that women and men aren’t different at all.

“For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Galatians 3:26-28

Egalitarians read those verses and say, “See? There’s no distinction between men and women.” That’s a tragically misguided understanding, though. The message is that we all stand equal at the cross. All people need Jesus as their Savior, all have access to Him, and all can be equal recipients of God’s grace. Our personal circumstances may be different, but spiritually we are the same. That is quite literally the opposite of misogyny.

Final Thought

When we look at Scripture in the context of Scripture, the idea that Christianity is misogynistic is patently ridiculous. Are there misogynists, sexists, and abusers in churches? Well, as long as we battle sin there will be. Those individuals do not represent Christians as a whole, the teaching of Christianity, or Jesus Christ. Those who claim otherwise tend to cherry-pick verses and come at the Bible with a bias or chip on their shoulder.

The trouble we have is that women want what men have and reject the gift of biblical womanhood they have been given by God. They look at God’s Word through the lens of our modern culture’s worldview, and they expect to see the Bible reflect their sinful desires. Instead, it condemns them.

Rather than being misogynistic, Christianity was, and still is, revolutionary regarding women’s roles and worth. We have been given special responsibilities and privileges as women, but that hasn’t put us in a lower station when among men. We stand shoulder to shoulder with them in equal value in the Lord’s eyes while maintaining what makes us unique as women. That’s not misogyny; it’s marvelous.

What do you think? Can you think of more examples of how Christianity is not misogynistic?

Image courtesy of Umid Akbarov via Unsplash.