Reproducing the Capitalist Patriarchy in the Evangelical Christian Sexual Purity Movement: A Feminist Christian’s Concern and Hope

Through a feminist lens, this essay will explore modern expressions of the conservative evangelical Christian purity movement, including Christian sex manuals, abstinence-only education programs, and purity balls. To begin, I will explain the most important facets of my own feminist theory, which draws from existentialist, socialist, and postmodern feminisms. Using this unique combination of theories, I will attempt to reconcile my deeply held Christian and feminist beliefs about sex. Finally, I will propose a solution that honors both of these important parts of my identity. I assert that the Christian purity movement Others women reinforcing a gender binary, bending to the will of capitalist power structures, and assuming unified human experience. As we strive to disrupt systems that Other women like capitalism and patriarchy, we must not Other the women whom we hope to help by assuming that we already know their experience. In order to truly love our neighbors, we Christians—and feminists—must deeply listen to the beliefs that shape their genuine convictions