Gender And Theolgy Flashcards
What are the implications of gender for the Christian idea of God? Essay
A: God is presented in male terms. Jesus being a perfect human and male. Daly - “if God is male then male is God” - image created to benefit men. Exclusion of women from high church roles
CA: Wisdom - female in Hebrew and Greek. Word fr spirit is feminine. Paul described Jesus as “wisdom of God”. Reuther - Jesus was the incarnation of female wisdom
E: Conservative idea of the bible - Adam and Eve. Subservient. Mulieris Dignitatem
A: Daly - unholy trinity - Rape of Mary. Genocide, Catholic Church banning abortions, war: accepts war but bans abortions.
CA: not Christianity itself which is the source of sexism, Jesus treatment of women was radical
E: Daly argues a male figure cannot save women. Cross - a symbol of men enjoying pain. Isolation of women
Gender and theology scholars & arguments
- Reuther - Jesus as the Messiah: Jesus was not a male-warrior messiah as expected. Jesus had virtues such as forgiveness and self-sacrifice. in order to be the messiah Jesus didn’t have to be male so priests in the Catholic Church don’t need to be male. The priest takes on the role of Christ spiritually. Her thinking makes it easier for women to feel connected to God. In the Old Testament God’s wisdom is often portrayed in female terms (Sophia). Therefore the maleness of God is not fundamental to what God is. The word for spirit in Hebrew is feminine as well. Paul described Jesus as the wisdom of God. Jesus also spent a lot of time with women.
- Ruether -Goddess theology: most polytheistic religions are less sexist. Evidence of images of Gd suffering like a mother pre-Jewish monotheist religion. This view should be carried over to teh Christian religion
- Daly “if God is male then male is God: drew to the marginalisation of women in the Catholic Church. The church cannot be reformed but must be trans valued. If “God is male then the male is God” . Cannot portray God in female terms as we are just portraying the same male in different terms. Only women can fully access the creative side of human nature. Advocated for a rediscovery of the ancient pagan culture which held ‘mother nature’ essential. _however doesn’t consider women of colour etc… her thinking could be based on a hatred of men. Only women can achieve true spirituality and access the creative aspect - Be-ing.
- Daly - The unholy trinity: The Virgin Mary was seen as a passive ‘hollow egg-shell’ which means she is a ‘Total rape victim’ metaphorically and literally. Catholic Church has made it possible to see women in this passive way. 1. Rape 2. Genocide - all men are rapist and all commit genocide e.g. the church’s banning of abortion. The idea the one group can have power and destroy another entire group 3. War - war comes from a male dominated approach to life. Comes from a phallic mentality. Jesus on the cross is a symbol of male enjoyment of pain.
- Nietzsche: Daly was inspired by him. Believed in the re-evaluation of all existing values. There is an Apollonian veil which alienates us form our creative side.
- Hampson: feminism and Christianity are incompatible. Too sexist
- The Shakers: believe that women are particularly receptive to the Holy Spirit and should play essential roles in Christian leadership.
- Jesus: Mary and Martha tries to break sexist customs.
Not feminists:
- Chan: The Christian idea of fatherhood embodies in the trinity is truly unique. Daly glosses over the fact that God is the Heavenly Father and creator of all. The male language for God does not create masculine qualities for God. On Ruether, you cant rewrite Christianity to give more prominence to women because it is the story that shapes Christian identity.
“Can a male saviour save women?”
A: Ruether: when the Jews excepted a messiah they excepted a male warrior messiah. But Jesus was far from what they expected. He self scarified and was a pacifist and was forgiving. Shows that Jesus did not need to be male. Challenge to denominations which don’t allow female priests. Makes women feel more connected and less alienated. Therefore can be saved. re evaluation
CA: Daly: “if God is male, then male is God” - Unholy trinity. Jesus on the cross symbolises male enjoyment of pain, torture and sexual dominance. Therefore his death was only served to save men
E: Reuther: gender was not essential: wisdom was described as Sophia there were female aspects of God. he offered a salvation for all people who were made in Gods image.
A: We can be saved by Christ cause there is a golden thread in the bible. There are both sexist themes and equality them,es. They cannot bot be God’s revelation as they are inconsistent with each other. We nee to find a way of separate the golden threat of authentic teachings to the patriarchal threads. E.g Jesus’ treatment f the marginalised. Jesus and the adulterous women - omnibenevolent
CA: Daly - women should stand against the church and everything that it stands for. Sexism is too deep rooted to reform. Women should seek other ways to express their spirituality. They cannot be saved.
E: Already is being reformed - the Shakers have female priests as they believe that women are particularly receptive to the Holy Spirit. Not essential sexist should be no reason why women cannot be saved
“Can a male saviour save women?”
A: Ruether: when the Jews excepted a messiah they excepted a male warrior messiah. But Jesus was far from what they expected. He self scarified and was a pacifist and was forgiving. Shows that Jesus did not need to be male. Challenge to denominations which don’t allow female priests. Makes women feel more connected and less alienated. Therefore can be saved. re evaluation
CA: Daly: “if God is male, then male is God” - Unholy trinity. Jesus on the cross symbolises male enjoyment of pain, torture and sexual dominance. Therefore his death was only served to save men
E: Reuther: gender was not essential: wisdom was described as Sophia there were female aspects of God. he offered a salvation for all people who were made in Gods image.
A: We can be saved by Christ cause there is a golden thread in the bible. There are both sexist themes and equality them,es. They cannot bot be God’s revelation as they are inconsistent with each other. We nee to find a way of separate the golden threat of authentic teachings to the patriarchal threads. E.g Jesus’ treatment f the marginalised. Jesus and the adulterous women - omnibenevolent
CA: Daly - women should stand against the church and everything that it stands for. Sexism is too deep rooted to reform. Women should seek other ways to express their spirituality. They cannot be saved.
E: Already is being reformed - the Shakers have female priests as they believe that women
