Originally, the term "womanism" was created for "the need for black women to name themselves, a part from white women's feminist ideals for them" (Harris 3).

Many black religious scholars started to employ this term to "highlight the complex subjectivity of black women and celebrate their religious, theological and ethical perspective" (Harris 4)

This interpretation of womanism was not universally accepted. Cheryl Sanders question the appropriation of Alice Walker's definition of womanism. She claimed that the "secular" nature and "reference to lesbianism" were difficult for Christian theologists to "embody the fullness of Walker's definition" (Harris 6). Sanders, therefore, suggested that they should not reciprocate Alice Walker, and go to sources instead.

Scholars even considered Walker's "fluid spirituality" to be an obstacle for Christian scholars to use Alice Walker's definition of "womanism" (Harris 7). As a result, there was argument among Christian theologist should not employ this term for religious purpose.

Harris, however, countered this idea and justified the appropriation of Walker's womanism for Christian Ethics analysis by going back to very core of Alice Walker's womanism, which is " at its core dedicated to expressing the ethical visions and voices of black women" (Harris 9).