Feminism and Christianity

Caryn Riswold is Associate Professor of Religion and Gender and Women's Studies at Illinois College, Jacksonville, Illinois. She is the author of Coram Deo: Human Life in the Vision of God (2006) and Two Reformers: Martin Luther and Mary Daly (2007).

• AcknowledgmentsIntroductionPart One. Feminist Questions of Christianity1.1 Why should feminists care about Christianity?1.2 How has Christianity been a problem for women?1.3 Has Christianity been oppressive only on the basis of gender?1.4 How has Christianity affected women's lives in a positive way?1.5 How are feminists changing the fact that Christianity has been anti-feminist, if not anti-woman?1.6 If Jesus was a feminist, and Paul was a misogynist, what's the real Christianity?1.7 How do different Christian sects or denominations deal with women?1.8 Is Christianity better or worse for women than other religions?Part Two. Christian Questions of Feminism2.1 Why should Christians care about feminism?2.2 Why don't feminists accept that the bible teaches that men and women have different roles in creation, and that wives should submit to their husbands?2.3 Isn't feminism just a lot of whining privileged white women?2.4 Do feminists just want to turn patriarchy into a matriarchy?2.5 How can a person be both Christian and feminist?2.6 Are all feminists really lesbians? Doesn't feminism at least promote the sin of homosexuality?2.7 Does feminism include goddess worship? If so, isn't it anti-Christian?2.8 Why do women think they can be pastors?ConclusionQuestions and AnswersGlossaryBibliography