Gender and sexuality

Question 1

Evidence for gender equality in Paul’s letter to the Romans

Answer 1

Romans 16:1

‘I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church..’

Question 2

Evidence for gender equality in Galatians

Answer 2

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..’

Question 3

Evidence against gender equality in Ephesians

Answer 3

Ephesians 5:22

’ Wives submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do the Lord…’

Question 4

Evidence against gender equality in Corinthians

Answer 4

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…’

Question 5

Evidence against gender equality in Timothy

Answer 5

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…’

Question 6

Christian Egalitarians

Answer 6

Those who believe that men and women should be permitted equal roles in church

Question 7

Christian complementarians

Answer 7

Those who believe that men and women are equal but different, so their roles in the Church are different and should complement one another

Question 8

Catholic view of the roles of men and women in the church

Answer 8

The Catholic Church would argue that due to Apostolic succession and the tradition of the early Church, Christianity should take a complementarian view.

Question 9

Protestant view

Answer 9

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

Question 10

First attempt to discuss female ordination at

Answer 10

The lambert conference in 1920

Question 11

Florence Li Tim Oi

Answer 11

Deaconess in China
Ordained as a priest following the war with Japan due to fewer men in Anglican Church

However resigned after the war

Question 12

In 1978 the General Synod considered ordination of women

Answer 12

This past the house of laity and bishops but failed to be approved by the house of clergy

Question 13

In 1981 synod agreed women could be ordained as deacons and legislation was passed in

Answer 13

1985, in place by 1987. Didn’t have the option to move up to be priests

Question 14

In 1988…

Answer 14

Proposal to ordain women to priesthood was finally received

Question 15

On 12th March 1994…

Answer 15

The first 32 women were ordained as priests

Question 16

Libby Lane

Answer 16

First female bishop consecrated in 2015

Question 17

What are flying bishops

Answer 17

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

Question 18

Anglican clergy in response to female ordination

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Daphne Hampson

Answer 19

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

Question 20

Rosemary Radford Ruether

Answer 20

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”

Question 21

Very early Christian belief on celibacy

Answer 21

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

Question 22

Matthew 19:12 on celibacy

Answer 22

Jesus teaches

There are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven

Question 23

Catholic catechism on celibacy

Answer 23

Catholic catechism 1579

“All the ordained ministers of the Latin Church, with the exception of permanent deacons,… live a celibate life”

Question 24

Celibacy in 4th century

Answer 24

Monastic tradition developed, providing opportunity to follow God and not have a family and marriage

Question 25

Celibacy after the Protestant reformation

Answer 25

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

Question 26

Marriage

Answer 26

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