Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.
-I Thessalonians 5:21-22, NKJV
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves….Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
-Philippians 2:3, 5-8, KJV
Does feminism cause divorce?
Short Answer: No.
Let me explain by examples:
Christian feminism might teach a woman that she is worthy of respect and love as a daughter of God and co-heir in Christ. God may use feminism to breakthrough to her that she is not a second-class citizen in God’s Kingdom simply because she is a woman. This injection of godly identity and God-honoring worth might help this woman to take a stance regarding her adultery ravaged marriage. She might decide to no longer tolerate the adulterous abuse of her husband by divorcing him.
Did feminism cause such a divorce?
No. It was the adulterous sin of the husband that caused that divorce. Feminism merely strengthened the wife to take the righteous step of refusing to tolerate adultery and divorcing the cheater as is permitted by Jesus himself (e.g. Mt 19:9).
Feminism might teach a woman to discover herself. This woman may not like the responsibilities that come with being married and would prefer to explore her identity without dealing with the bonds of marriage. She might go off and experiment sexually while still married. Her husband discovers her adultery, and she divorces him.
Did feminism cause such a divorce?
No. It was the sin in the wife’s heart and then in her actions that caused the divorce. She took a good gift from feminism that encouraged her to discover herself to mean to indulge selfish, sinful impulses. Feminism did not cause her to sin. Sin flowed from her own heart as Scripture teaches (e.g. Mark 7:21-23).
Are there false teachings in some iterations of feminism? Sure.
Obviously, I am not talking about the versions of feminism here that are anti-monogamy explicitly. Be discerning. However, a feminism that teaches and affirms the worth of women and their status as co-heirs of Christ equal to men as such hardly cause divorce.
Your posts continue to be a great resource in the discussion of such a devastating and sensitive subject that few dare to explore. These measured posts help to educate many on the compassionate treatment of victims of adultery, even by victims themselves who believed the shaming lies. Thank you!!