Gender and sexuality Flashcards
Discuss early Christian views of women
The early biblical period stemmed in a 1st century Greco-Roman society which was strongly rooted in the patriarchy.
Therefore the role of women was restricted to motherhood and being a housekeeper. This perspective has both been held by the Catholic and Protestant Church; Luther argued that women should “sit still, keep house and bring up children.”
Women were heavily blamed for the doctrine of the fall, with St Paul placing responsibility on Eve. Paul wrote to Timothy “for it was the woman who was deceived and became the sinner.”
Tertullian referred to women as the “devil’s doorway”
Outline Paulinian scripture evidence for and against misogyny.
Timothy - “it was the woman who was deceived and became the sinner”
Timothy - “I do not permit a woman to teach or have authority over a man”
“saved through childbearing”
Corinthians - “women should remain silent in Churches. They are not allowed to speak but must be in submission”
Galatians - “there is neither male or female, you are all one in Christ.”
Outline Jesus in reference to his treatment of women
Jesus did not appoint any female disciples.
Jesus frequently engaged with women and showed them respect, something not commonly seen during this period. He is often recognised as a “liberator” and one which challenged the patriarchal structures of the 1st century. The gospel of John denotes how the other men “marvelled that he was talking to a woman.”
Reuther discusses how Jesus challenged traditional masculine “warrior” messiah stereotypes and expectations by embodying androgynous traits and both masculine and female qualities.
Discuss the Catholic Church in reference to female ordination.
Catholicism takes a complementarian approach, seeing men and women as spiritually equal but being indented for distinct and different roles.
The Catholic Church prohibits female ordination on the argument that women cannot inherit Jesus’ authority. As the Apostolic succession denotes the uninterrupted transmission of spiritual authority and goes back to Jesus’ male apostles, Catholicism argues women cannot inherit this.
This also means women cannot perform the eucharist. The priest is meant to represent Christ, a man, so a woman is deemed unsuitable for this role.
Pope John Paul II writes in his encyclical Mulieris Dignitatem on the “special dignity” of women when recognising the significant role of Mary and how this signifies the value of women within the Church.
Discuss the Church of England’s approach to female ordination
Protestantism takes an egalitarian approach, recognising suitability for authoritarian roles to be decided by ability rather than gender.
The Church of England argue that gender “should not be an obstacle” in reference to ordination. Moreover, as Protestants view the eucharist differently to Catholics, it is not necessary for it to be performed by men only.
The United Reform Church has ordained women since 1917 and the Church of England ordained its first female priest in 1994.
In 2017 Libby Lane became the Church of England’s first female bishop and was consecrated.
Outline Biblical criticism
Biblical criticism refers to analysing and understanding scripture within the context it was written and this can be applied to current society.
Fundamentalists reject this approach, arguing scripture is meant to be taken as literal rather than to be interpreted. Karl Barth also rejects this approach saying scripture is meant to challenge secular views rather than to be driven and interpreted by them. This is on the grounds that the word of God is eternal, not adaptable.
In contrast, liberal Christians would argue biblical criticism allows ancient texts to remain relevant in modern times.
However, this poses a challenge to authority. If scripture is open to interpretation, its credibility can be questioned leading to it being a less stable authoritarian source.
Outline Daphne Hampson’s and Mary Daly’s beliefs
As a post-Christian theologian, Hampson argues that Christianity is a “historical religion, bound to a sexist past.” From this she believes that is is inextricably tied to a patriarchal and misogynistic context and thus due to the “patriarchal baggage” Christianity carries, it must be abandoned.
Scripture stems from literature made in a sexist age; the use of anthropomorphic language and male metaphors to describes God results is God’s attributes being analogous to those of a man, thereby placing men as superior to women.
Mary Daley echoes this sentiment, arguing “if God is male, then man is God.” By attributing male metaphors to God, the highest authority, scripture reinforces the patriarchal structure by giving more power to men, subsequently depicting women as subordinate and inferior. This is shown in Pauls letters where he writes to Ephesians: “Wives, submit to your own husbands as you do the Lord.”
Outline Rosemary Reuther’s views
Reuther believes feminism can be compatible with Christianity through a feminist reinterpretation of scripture.
Reuther argues that Jesus’ role as a liberator should be focussed on more, opposed to his gender. The gospels frequently discuss how Jesus sides with the oppressed and challenges the patriarchal structures of the 1st century.
His attitude to women was revolutionary; in a context where women were seen as second class citizens and where men did not speak to them if they did not know them, Jesus repeatedly subverted this behaviour. Jesus began a conversation with a female Samaritan at a well by asking her for a drink, which was unheard of as the ancient Jewish view was that Samaritans were unclean. Moreover, despite being revealed that the woman had multiple relations with men, controversial behaviour which would have likely made her be shunned by her community, Jesus showed her respect and grace.
Jesus subverted traditional messiah expectations. The old testament describes the prophecy of a warrior messiah conquering his enemies and saving Israel in battle. However, Jesus did both suffer and die and was shown to serve his people rather than rule over them; He washed their feet, spent time with the poor and criticised those in power. On that observation, Reuther argues Jesus contradicts the patriarchal expectations of a spiritual leader and instead both embodies feminine and masculine qualities of human nature. This is a more gender-inclusive understanding of Jesus which could therefore be the basis for a redeemed Christianity.
The spiritual equality of the genders is emphasised within scripture. Galantines notes how “there is neither male nor female, you are all one in Christ.”
Reuther suggests God should take a gender neutral term within scripture eg God/Goddess.
Outline the role of celibacy within Christianity
The Old Testament does not promote celibacy but the opposite. God commands man to “be fruitful and multiply.”
In contrast the New Testament suggests celibacy is the ideal. St Paul writes how “it is good for them to remain unmarried like I am.”
It was believed that the Kingdom of God was immanent and would occur during early Christians’ lifetime, thus making reproduction unnecessary.
The Catholic Church prohibits monks, nuns, priests etc from marriage and sexual relations. Protestantism allows their priests to marry and have a family.
Outline the role of marriage in Christianity.
Genesis portrays marriage as a sacred covenant between man and woman where they can unite as one fleshing create a lasting bond reflecting God’s plan for love and partnership.
St Paul believed that marriage and sexual relations only served as a distraction for preparing for judgement. However, Paul notes that if one cannot remain celibate they must marry. Sex thus only serves as a way to reproduce.
Sexual relations outside of marriage are depicted as sinful. Corinthians suggests sexual thoughts are a natural human predisposition as a result of the original sin, so man should marry in order to satisfy each other and so “Satan cannot tempt you because of your lack of self control.”
The Sermon on the Mount indicates that Jesus believes even having sexual thoughts/desires is sinful. “Everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
Exodus outlines that sex is prohibited outside of marriage. “Thou shalt not commit adultery.”
St Thomas Aquinas established procreation as one of the 5 primary precepts and thus is facilitated through the act of sex within marriage.
Catholics view marriage as a sacrament and so an outward display of inward grace. In contrast, Protestants only see it as an ordinance.
