How Faith and Feminism Move Forward Together in a Changing Culture

 

How Faith and Feminism Move Forward Together in a Changing Culture

The Chosen functions as popular culture by making a sacred story feel personal, accessible, and shared. Through streaming and social media, the series draws viewers into the everyday lives of biblical figures—their relationships, doubts, humor, and struggles—creating an emotional connection rather than simply retelling scripture. The show depicts faith lived rather than distant, inviting reflection on identity, belief, and meaning in ordinary life.

Viewing the series through a feminist lens adds important depth by drawing attention to hegemony—the subtle privileging of certain perspectives over others. Feminist criticism highlights how male viewpoints and traditional gender roles have long dominated religious narratives, and this tension is especially visible in the portrayal of Mary Magdalene. In The Chosen, she is re-centered not as a marginal or fallen figure, but as a healed, trusted disciple whose testimony carries weight. Through her transformation, loyalty to Jesus, and courage in bearing witness, the series quietly pushes back against centuries of patriarchal interpretation. From a liberal feminist perspective, Mary’s inclusion does not disrupt the story of Christ—it deepens it, illustrating how giving women voice, agency, and spiritual authority enriches faith and expands belonging across generations.

For me, being a woman of faith and a feminist has never felt like choosing sides. I fought hard to claim my faith, and that struggle is part of why this lens matters so deeply to me. My faith teaches that every soul has divine worth, while feminism gives me language to notice when that worth is not fully acknowledged—especially for women. Reading scripture and tradition this way does not weaken belief; it deepens it. It invites harder questions, more careful listening, and greater attention to whose voices have been quieted or misunderstood. Rather than pulling me away from faith, feminism has helped me lean into it with more honesty and compassion, trusting that truth, dignity, and spiritual authority were never meant to belong to only a few.

For many readers, this kind of portrayal may feel quietly transformative. It challenges long-held assumptions about who gets to speak, lead, and testify within faith communities. When women’s experiences are taken seriously, faith traditions feel less rigid and more relational—rooted not only in doctrine, but in lived experience, empathy, and shared spiritual responsibility.

How does imagining Mary Magdalene as a disciple with voice, authority, and emotional depth change the way you think about women’s roles in faith today, and do you think making space for women within religious traditions can deepen belief and a sense of belonging?