The Story of Creation; a Comparative Study of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Gilbert Bilezikian's Commentaries

The first and second chapters of Genesis are among the most challenging texts for feminist commentators. Elizabeth Cady Stanton, the representative of the liberal school of feminist interpretation and Gilbert Bilezikian, the representative of the evangelical school of feminist interpretation have interpreted these two chapters. The present paper investigates the similarities and differences between the two commentator's interpretation of the text of Genesis. Both of them try to affirm their commitment to Christianity and feminism. Stanton who divides the story of creation into two parts, proves the idea of equality in creation as shown in the first part and rejects the second part about God's words, is less committed to the text. Bilezikian, the representative of the evangelical school, who believes that the entire Bible has been revealed, tries to interpret the Bible on the basis of equality between the sexes and use of women's experiences and in accordance with the principles of feminism.