Gender and sexuality Flashcards
Evidence for gender equality in Paul’s letter to the Romans
Romans 16:1
‘I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church..’
Evidence for gender equality in Galatians
Galatians 3:26
‘… there is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus..’
Evidence against gender equality in Ephesians
Ephesians 5:22
’ Wives submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do the Lord…’
Evidence against gender equality in Corinthians
Corinthians 14:34
’ Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says…’
Evidence against gender equality in Timothy
Timothy 2:8
’ A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man…’
Christian Egalitarians
Those who believe that men and women should be permitted equal roles in church
Christian complementarians
Those who believe that men and women are equal but different, so their roles in the Church are different and should complement one another
Catholic view of the roles of men and women in the church
The Catholic Church would argue that due to Apostolic succession and the tradition of the early Church, Christianity should take a complementarian view.
Protestant view
Priesthood of all believers
All equal before Christ
All Christians are called to serve God
Ordination practised by catholics was not necessary for Protestant men, so question of female ordination didn’t arise
First attempt to discuss female ordination at
The lambert conference in 1920
Florence Li Tim Oi
Deaconess in China
Ordained as a priest following the war with Japan due to fewer men in Anglican Church
However resigned after the war
In 1978 the General Synod considered ordination of women
This past the house of laity and bishops but failed to be approved by the house of clergy
In 1981 synod agreed women could be ordained as deacons and legislation was passed in
1985, in place by 1987. Didn’t have the option to move up to be priests
In 1988…
Proposal to ordain women to priesthood was finally received
On 12th March 1994…
The first 32 women were ordained as priests
Libby Lane
First female bishop consecrated in 2015
What are flying bishops
Many from the AngloCatholic tradition didn’t approve of the ordination of women as bishops, moreover any ordination or confirmation carried out by them was seen as invalid
Provincial episcopal visitors were responsible for the care of those who didn’t accept the ministry of female bishops or priests
Anglican clergy in response to female ordination
Believed CofE ceased to have legitimate ministry
Some asked to be received into the Catholic Church including some married Anglican priests but Catholic Church made an exception for their beliefs of celibacy
Daphne Hampson
Holds that Christianity is not true- idea of Jesus in Nazareth being unique son of God is not possible following the Enlightenment
Finds Christianitynot moral- believe in God moreover they obey him not practicing moral choices freely
Consequence of a historical religion is it is past patriarchal imagery is brought to present .. “irredeemably sexist”
Credits that Christianity has served as a vehicle which has carried peoples love in the west but there is no need for a gendered God
Rosemary Radford Ruether
Liberation theologian and Roman Catholic
Christianity is a religious culture which can be restated in feminist terms
Sees a parallel between Jesus teaching the gospels and feminist critiques of society today “sabbath made for the man not man for the sabbath” mark
Sees Jesus exemplifying female traits of healing and caring as well as male traits of power and authority- Jesus embodies both… “androgynous christology”
Very early Christian belief on celibacy
The end of world coming in near future, prepare for that rather than having children
Paul in Corinthians “but if they cannot control themselves, they should marry for is better to marry than burn with passion”
Implies it is better to control sexual urges than live a life of celibacy
Matthew 19:12 on celibacy
Jesus teaches
There are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven
Catholic catechism on celibacy
Catholic catechism 1579
“All the ordained ministers of the Latin Church, with the exception of permanent deacons,… live a celibate life”
Celibacy in 4th century
Monastic tradition developed, providing opportunity to follow God and not have a family and marriage
Celibacy after the Protestant reformation
Abandoned clerical celibacy
All monks and nuns despite their tradition practise celibacy as well as Roman Catholic priests
Where some priests of the CofE may marry
Protestants may be required to follow Tim 3:17 and have a family and marriage in ministry
Marriage
Early Church- celibacy and marriage 2 best options
Paul suggests marriage is a option for those who cannot remain celibate
Marriage follows advice in Timothy 3:1-7
Roman Catholics focus on sacramental nature
Protestants don’t see marriage as a sacrament, can be dissolved Jesus appeared to allow divorce following unfaithfulness
