Journal: Priscilla Papers
Volume: PP 02:4 (Fall 1988)
Article: The Feminine Response to Life
Author: Hattie Veurink

The Feminine Response to Life

Hattie Veurink

Jesus says, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life;” and from this biblical concept feminists must look at life and its fulfillment.

It has been stated that “life is religion” and religion is life.” And if God is sovereign, then His dominion must extend over all of life and cannot be shut up between the walls of a church or the circle of Christians. The world outside has not been abandoned to Satan, nor to fallen man nor to chance.

In this context we remember the mandate of our Lord, in reclaiming the world, (Mt 28:18) “Go ye into all the world and make disciples of all.” In obedience we do God’s will through the process of sanctification, and this obedience should become as natural as breathing. In this mandate Jesus promises, “All power is given unto me, go ye therefore...” This power is given from the Holy Spirit, and we become new creatures in Him. Having been set free of ourselves, this relinquished life to Him “... is to be empowered with strength in the innerself by His Spirit” (Eph. 3:16). How are our tasks, gifts, and callings directed toward a fulfillment of life as feminists? What ate the needs of this world in response to the gifts and charisms and life in Christ?

The Holy Spirit was poured out for ministry; Jesus began after the endument on Him (Luke 4:1). Jesus broke the last barrier of separation that had been imposed on women by tradition. The Holy Spirit baptized women like men and for the exact same purpose as men: they were baptized for service and ministry.

What was predicted in Joel 2 and fulfilled in Acts 2:17-18 is often forgotten nowadays. The church is a living active body, as proclaimed in Acts 1:8-14 where men and women were gathered together. This ministry must be taken into the market place even as Jesus did— He saw the multitudes and said, “Come unto me, you who are heavy laden and I will give you rest.” As His followers we top must bring the Words of Life.

Astute Christians have frequently made comments that Christendom is deprived of the gifts of more than half of its membership because people believe that the Bible teaches dominance of the male. One speaker made a point of comparison that God’s animals understand gifts better than the human species. None of us has seen a flock of female birds walking and groaning, “The males don’t allow us to fly: we may only walk.” No, when we approach a flock of birds picking worms or grain from the ground, they all take off and use the God-given wings as gifts to fly.

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