Making Space
for Feminists

By Tony Campolo and Gordon Aeschliman

From 50 Ways You Can Be Prolife

 Go to article archive > >

Unfortunately, the rhetoric and energy of the prolife movement is all too often directed against feminists. Many circles operate on the assumption that to be feminist is to desire the destruction of homes, of babies in the womb, of marriages and even of the church. This view has developed largely because we are not listening to others, not opening ourselves to the possibility that we have much to learn from people who do not hold our convictions.

Feminists have had to fight for many rights over the centuries. Some of their agendas-of-old would not seem that radical now: securing the right to open a personal checking account, to purchase a home, to vote, to receive equal pay. To a great degree, our society has been structured in ways that do not allow women equal access to the wealth, power centers or leadership of our nation. And unfortunately the church has all too often been a force in denying women these kinds of rights. Consequently, feminists have often relegated the church to an irrelevant, if not evil, status, not unlike the (former) apartheid government of South Africa that pushe[d] down people who [were] not the "right color." Many women understand that evil, because they have been pushed down for not being the "right gender."

If we are going to impact our society for life, we will need to listen to the feminists. This can be difficult and threatening for women who have been taught to define their roles in life in contrast to feminist agendas---I stay at home with kids, I do not lead at church or in the public square and therefore I am a good Christian woman (as opposed to those feminists). Similarly, too many establish their sense of worth by the role they fill---I am head of my marriage and family, I am a church leader---and so they are unable to listen to feminist concerns because to do so would threaten the very basis of their self-concept.

It is no easy task to get back to the basics and discover that our God-given self-worth is based not on what we do but on who we are (children of God, fearfully and wonderfully made). But then this is the work of discipleship. As you begin to listen to feminists, you may discover some biblical ideas that are missing from your own and your group’s understanding. You may find yourself challenged to accept some of their values because they do indeed reflect a biblical worldview. And you may discover new friends in the work of being prolife.

Two excellent organizations wait to serve you if you choose to take on this challenge. They are Christians for Biblical Equality  and Feminists for Life, and ask them for help in building the bridges.

(Published in 1993, 50 Ways You Can Be Prolife is now out of print. Used by permission of the authors, 9/27/01.)