Gender And Theology Flashcards
Why do w9men feel Christianity is the source of female oppression
- the bible as a whole sees women as the weaker sex and promotes patriarchy
- the human god relationship is seen as a master slave relationship which justifies male superiority over women which finishes value of women
Who is Rosemary Radford Reuther
Reuther is a Roman Catholic feminist liberation theologian who believes that feminist insight provides a ample case for reinvorgating Christian spiritualitand praxis
What does Reuther believe we need to do to understand how Christianity developed its oppressive patriarchy
- go back to earlier times where it was not the case
- she notes how polytheistic religions are far less sexist and patriarchal than monotheistic religions
- this is because strict monotheism promotes the idea of a single male god who has authority over the nature and world which then justifies male patriarchy
What is Reuther’s argument
- Judaism, which Christianity is developed form, is not strictly monotheistic and male orientated
- Judaism has respect for nature which is maintained through the idea of the goddess as the source of life for worship and relationship with god
What quote from isiah shows this female aspect of god
“ now I cry out like a woman in labour”
- god is depicted as the goddess going through the pains of childbirth
- this is an analogy for gods suffering love for the Israelites due to their faithlessness
What is the female wisdom principle
The female wisdom principle believes that the femaleness of god is retained in the word wisdom
What is wisdom
A divine source of knowledge and life
In what terms is wisdom presented
Wisdom is presented in female terms- the Greek word for wisdom is Sophia Dan the Hebrew word is hokmah
Where is the idea of wisdom best developed
In the book of Solomons wisdom
- wisdom is described as “the power of gods breath” and a “reflection of his eternal light”
What does this show about Judaism
Judaism is not strictly monotheistic
Where does Reuther propose the femaleness of Christianity is retained
In the incarnation and the trinity
How does the incarnation show femaleness
- early Christian’s saw a connection between reincarnated Jesus and wisdom
- Jesus as divine wisdom explains his relationship with gods and identity on earth and teaching
What quote from St Paul’s shows Jesus as wisdom
“Christ… the wisdom of god”
What about johns gospel
Johns gospel describes Jesus as eternal wisdom
How is the Holy Spirit presented
Holy Spirit is presented in Sophia times as the relation aspect of god