Gender and Sexuality

Question 1

Romans 16:1-2 - Phoebe

Answer 1

I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae.

Question 2

Galatians 3:26-28 - not male or female

Answer 2

There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Question 3

1 Corinthians 14:34-35 - women silent

Answer 3

Women should remain silent in the churches… for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.

Question 4

Ephesians 5:22-24 - wives and husbands

Answer 4

Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church.

Question 5

1 Peter 3:1-7 - not beauty in outward adornments

Answer 5

A gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.

Question 6

1 Timothy 2:8-15

Answer 6

Women dress modestly
I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man;[b] she must be quiet.
Adam formed first and Eve first deceived But women will be saved through childbearing

Question 7

Tertulllian - 2-5th century

Answer 7

Regarded women as ‘the devil’s gateway’.

Question 8

Catherine Booth - 1859

Answer 8

‘God has given women natural qualifications for public speaking.’

Question 9

Dr. Carey FOR Female Ordination

Answer 9

‘What binds us together in God’s love as a Church is vastly more important than a disagreement about women’s ordination.’

Question 10

Rev. Peter Geldard AGAINST Female Ordination

Answer 10

Decision for women priests ‘pit diocese against diocese, parish against parish, and parishioner against parishioner.’

Question 11

Ann Widdecombe AGAINST Female Ordination

Answer 11

Accused the church of: ‘promoting political correctness about the very clear teachings of Scripture.’

Question 12

Daphne Hampson - nature of Christianity is sexist

Answer 12

‘Christianity cannot contrive to be itself and allow for the equality of women.’

Question 13

Daphne Hampson - Power of Religion

Answer 13

‘Religion is potent. It has been the most potent ideology the world has known for undermining the integrity of women as first-class members of humanity.’

Question 14

Mary Baker Eddy - Lord’s Prayer

Answer 14

‘Our Mother-Father God.’

Question 15

The Gospel of the Egyptians (Androgynous Christ)

Answer 15

Jesus says ‘I have come to destroy the works of the female.’

Question 16

Gospel of Thomas (Androgynous Christ)

Answer 16

Jesus says ‘Lo, I shall lead her and make her male… For every women who makes herself male will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.’

Question 17

Ruether - women messianic future

Answer 17

“The emergence of women points to a messianic future that will transform the male world of war, conflict and exploitation into the woman’s world of peace and reconciliation.”

Question 18

Genesis 1 (x2)

Answer 18

‘male and female he created them’

‘Be fruitful and multiply’

Question 19

Genesis 2 - sexless Adam

Answer 19

‘Then the lord God formed man from the dust of the ground.’

Question 20

Genesis 2 - women definition

Answer 20

‘It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper.’

Question 21

Genesis 2 - Hebrew phrase ‘basar’

Answer 21

‘wife and husband become ONE FLESH’.

1. Inseparable
2. Blood relative
3. Sex

Question 22

Celibacy: Paul to Corinth

Answer 22

‘But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than burn with passion.’

Question 23

Celibacy: deliberate religious choice (Jesus)

Answer 23

Matthew 19:12 ‘there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven.’

Question 24

Celibacy: Catholic Cathechism

Answer 24

‘All the ordained ministers of the Latin Church… live a celibate life… ‘for the sake of the kingdom of heaven’.

Question 25

What are the 3 goods of marriage in St. Augustine’s book of common prayer?

Answer 25

1. Sex
2. Procreation
3. Companionship/Friendship

Question 26

Protestant view on marriage - not a sacrament but…

Answer 26

‘a worldly thing… that belongs to the realm of government.’

Question 27

Divorce: N.T. laws (x2)

Answer 27

Mark 10:9 ‘What God has joined together, let not man separate.’
Matthew 19:9 ‘A man who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery - unless his wife has been unfaithful.’

Question 28

Homosexuality: Pope Francis +ve

Answer 28

‘If someone is gay and is searching for the lord and has a good will, then who am I to judge him?’

Question 29

Homosexuality: Pope Francis -ve

Answer 29

‘That does not mean approving of homosexual acts’.

Question 30

Homosexuality: O.T.

Answer 30

Leviticus ‘Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable.’
Death penalty.

Question 31

Ezekiel on Sodom and Gomorrah

Answer 31

‘Sodom’s sins were pride, gluttony and laziness, while the poor and needy suffered outside her door.’ (no mention of sexual sins)

Question 32

Homosexuality: Paul in N.T.

Answer 32

‘men giving up natural intercourse with women, were consumed with passion for one another.’ BUT concludes that Christians shouldn’t judge each other as all need forgiveness.

Question 33

Transgender: eunuchs who are good Christians

Answer 33

Isiah 56 “I will give them an everlasting name that will endure forever.”