Radical Womanhood: Chapter One

I am currently reading a book by Carolyn McCully, entitled Radical Womanhood: Feminine Faith in a Feminist World. It was recommended on the 9Marks website, and is highly endorsed by the Council for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, so I trust it will be a worthwhile read.

That’s not to say I fully agree with everything 9Marks or CBMW would ever say. And one should never read without the Scriptures nearby to compare notes with what man or woman has said. But it is to say that I look forward to hearing what Carolyn McCully has to say, simply because godly men and women have endorsed her message.

I’m only on chapter two. Today, I’ll be commenting on chapter one, and from here on out, I’ll read one chapter, then comment on said chapter.

So … let’s get started.

The title sounds kinda sticky, right? Feminism is indeed a sticky subject, but a subject that needs to be discussed, has needed to be discussed for many decades, and will likely need more discussion if the Lord tarries. Feminism can be traced back to the Garden, when Eve usurped Adam’s authority, and more importantly, God’s authority. But anyone who has read the full story of the partaking of the forbidden fruit knows that Eve usurping male authority is only part of the story.

That’s why I like this first chapter. Carolyn admits that, while feminism is a raging problem in our society, it is not a stand alone problem. In her words:

As one theologian said, it is understandable, humanly speaking, why this movement (of feminism) did emerge:

When you realize that men have subjugated women for thousand of years, you can only wonder how it took so long for the feminist movement to form. It is unfortunately rare to find a marriage in which the husband recognizes that he bears the responsibility of headship and exercises it in humility and love rather than force and authoritarianism. While I too am against so much of what the feminist movement advocates, I understand why it has emerged. I believe that if Christian men had been the servant leaders in the home, rather than conceited chauvinists, the feminist movement would have died a quick and easy death. If men had sought ways to see the gifts and talents of their wives developed and utilized rather than taking a beautiful person and making her into little more than a personal slave, if men had not twisted this doctrine of headship, we would not have the current problems between men and women in our society …. I am tired of hearing that feminists are responsible for the breakdown of the family. We need to put the responsibility where it belongs — on the heads of homes. (Richard L. Ganz)

Carolyn goes on to say:

I agree (with Ganz), but as this book is for women and not men, I’ll leave it to the guys to challenge each other.

So there ya’ have it. I like her approach. She acknowledges that feminism is a problem that began with the breakdown of leadership, but she does not excuse the feminists, either. One man’s sin does not excuse a woman’s sin, or two wrongs do not make a right – however you want to say it. Women will not be let off the hook in this book, and neither will men. But the majority of her words will be aimed at my gender, and rightly so.

By acknowledging that this is a two-sided issue, she has won my respect and therefore, my ear. I’m looking forward to learning about the history of feminism, and how to better live a life of radical, Biblical womanhood.