Posted by: Jessica
OK,
we need to talk.
I
recently came across a blog that caters to an urban, adult audience, and
although there was ebonics and extreme cursing I felt like this particular post
was extremely well written and had sooo many awesome points. You might want to
check it out before reading this post any further….
Let
me tell you, that post completely validated so many new thoughts and feelings that
were arising within me as I explore feminist theology during my second year of
Divinity School and I want to look at those ideas from more of a Christian
viewpoint. Ok, fast-forwarding to NOW: I was perusing my twitter timeline (or
perhaps twitter stalking) and came across a beautiful young Christian lady who
was wearing a shirt that read: “Rib in Waiting.”
A
few points.
1. I’m
assuming that the rib she is referring to is the rib of the adam described in Genesis 2:21-22. Genesis
2 has a beautiful creation story of human kind coming into fruition,
flourishing throughout the earth and being an intrinsic part of God’s creation.
But, there are two creation stories in Genesis. The first is seen in Genesis 1,
where “God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them” (Gen 1:27 NRSV). There is no mention of a rib in the first
creation story and it seems that both male and female were created
simultaneously, equally. So it seems…
2. If
we were to disregard the first creation story in Genesis 1 for a moment and
focus on Genesis 2, we would have to focus on the rib. For that is the turning
point for the adam, for all of
humanity. God physically and intimately interacts with God’s own creation and
voila! A woman is formed. A being. A complete, competent, divinely fashioned
whole person is created by God. She is no longer a rib, but a human being, a
woman made in the image of God with a divine purpose within this world. The
shirt effected me most pertaining to this point. As women, lets give ourselves
complete and total credit for the whole person that God created us to be, and
not limit ourselves and our bodies to one piece of another human being. We are
our own selves, we are no longer just a member of another person’s whole. We too can
stand independently.
3. Lastly,
the “in waiting” portion of the shirt makes me nervous. I believe that this in
reference to not going out and “seeking love” but to allow a man to come in and
sweep you off of your feet. I was there. I had my own agenda but relationship
wise I thought I would have to sit pretty with my legs crossed, hands folded,
and a pretty smile on my face… waiting. Aiming at being attractive to all of
the “good” guys out there. I was there. But ladies, TAKE RISKS! Do not sit and wait for a man to sweep you off your
feet. In any good relationship, both partners must be fully involved, sweeping
at each other (funny image). Live your life, focus on your personal ministry but
don’t keep your nose up in the air. Love love! Just my opinion. I’m in a
relationship with an amazing Christian man who did make all the first advances
but I was not batting my eyelashes waiting for him to approach me. Pshh. Not at
all actually (story for another day), and actually, I wasn’t waiting for a man either. I was living.
Focusing on my ministry.
Reading the blog fired me up. Seeing that shirt fired me up. I
really think that women need to recognize that we too are beautifully created
in the image of God and as whole and complete human beings, independent of
men.
Just my ramblings and completely my opinion. Just wanted to
share. Thoughts?
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