Biblical feminists have provisionally accepted the precept of feminism which exalts the
importance of personal experience in defining one's worldview. In doing so, they have
stepped over the watershed onto a slope that will certainly lead to total acceptance of radical
feminism. The only difference between the conservatives and the radicals is that the
conservative Biblical feminists have not yet followed their presuppositions through to their
logical end. Eventually, however, they may find themselves sliding uncontrollably down the
hill, through the red light, and into the intersection, only to discover when they finally stop
that their vehicles are pointing the wrong way.
4
In reality, evangelical feminists are not trying to blend biblical truths with secular feminist
convictions nor are they claiming that there are absolutely no differences between genders. The
goal of evangelical feminism is not to manipulate Scripture in order to better the status of women in
the church. Instead these scholars and lay people are applying biblical truths, which is their
freedom in Christ and their responsibility as image-bearers of God, to their present situation.
Rebecca Merrill Groothuis affirms that "biblical feminists are distinguished from other feminists in
their diagnosis and prescribed cure for the problem of sexism, and in their motivation for attempting
to solve the problem...Evangelical feminists regard the Bible as authoritative in its entirety and
maintain that sexism in the church derives from the traditional practice of interpreting the Bible in
the patriarchal light of `men's experience.'"
5
A third term, evangelical systematic theology, is a systematic interpretation of a Christian
theological worldview that is faithful to Scripture, tradition, reason and experience and relevant to a
particular contemporary society. In addition, this interpretation is faithful to the pillars of
evangelicalism outlined above.
4
Mary A. Kassian, The Feminist Gospel (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 1992), pp. 226-227.
Italics added.
5
Rebecca Merrill Groothuis, Women Caught in the Conflict (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books,
1984), p. 111.