Gender and Theology DCT Flashcards
What is Mary Daly’s main critique of God’s portrayal in Christianity?
That portraying God as male reinforces the idea that power is inherently male.
What does Mary Daly mean by the phrase ‘If God is male, then the male is God’?
It suggests that associating God with maleness legitimizes male dominance.
Why does Daly believe male supremacy appears unchallengeable?
Because it is enshrined in religion by associating God with maleness, making it seem natural.
What is Daly’s proposed linguistic solution to the male image of God?
Refer to God as a verb instead of a noun, emphasizing ‘be-ing’ rather than ‘a being’.
Why does Daly want to think of God as a verb?
To challenge fixed and eternal ideas about structural oppression and show they can change.
How does Daly interpret biblical verses that command women to be submissive?
As evidence of the Church’s patriarchal nature and justification of male dominance.
How does Daly view the biblical story of Eve and The Fall?
As a narrative that has been used to oppress women by portraying them as the source of sin.
What does Daly identify as the ‘unholy trinity’?
Rape, genocide, and war.
What is the source of the ‘unholy trinity’ according to Daly?
The patriarchal world, supported by Christianity’s reinforcement of male dominance.
What biblical story does Daly criticize for promoting violence and subjugation of women?
The story in Numbers 31:17-18 where Moses tells soldiers to kill men and take virgin girls.
How do liberal Christians attempt to redeem Christianity from sexism?
By taking a symbolic view of scripture and reinterpreting it with gender-neutral language.
How does Daly respond to liberal reinterpretations of the Bible?
She argues that the influence of the Bible still causes people to view women as inferior.
What is Daphne Hampson’s argument about liberal Christianity and sexism?
That liberals still view the Bible as scripture, which continues to shape sexist paradigms.
What does Daly propose as a replacement for the Church?
A sisterhood of feminism that fulfills spiritual needs without patriarchy.
What is the purpose of feminist sisterhood according to Daly?
To provide women a sacred space to heal from patriarchy and promote liberation.
What does Daly say about men’s role in patriarchy?
They must reject feeding off the bodies and minds of women.
Why does Daly claim women’s knowledge and abilities are superior?
Because patriarchal oppression has stifled women’s growth and potential.
What criticism is made of Daly’s belief in female superiority?
That it is just as sexist as male supremacy and risks promoting segregation.
What is Daly’s defense of female spiritual superiority?
That it is a temporary necessity for healing in a patriarchal world.
What does Reuther believe about Christianity and feminism?
That Christianity can be reformed to be compatible with feminism.
What is patriarchalization according to Reuther?
The historical process by which Christianity became dominated by misogynistic views.
What is ‘Sophia’ and its relevance in feminist theology?
Sophia is Greek for wisdom, personified as female and an early Christian image of divinity.
How does Reuther interpret Yahweh’s meaning in Hebrew?
It means ‘no name’, suggesting God is beyond gender.
What early Christian sect had female leaders?
The Montanists.
What happened to the Montanists?
They were persecuted into non-existence.
How does Reuther view the figure of Jesus in Christology?
As a servant king who defied patriarchal expectations of a warrior messiah.
Why does Reuther believe Jesus embodies female wisdom?
Because he served and sacrificed instead of ruling, contrasting male messiah expectations.
What is Daly’s objection to a male savior?
That in patriarchy, a male symbol cannot liberate women.
What does Daly mean by ‘male symbol cannot function as bearer of New Being’?
That a male image of salvation reinforces patriarchy.
How does Reuther respond to Daly’s criticism?
She argues Jesus embodied female wisdom and was not patriarchal.
What is the ‘golden thread’ argument?
That there is a consistent theme of liberation in the Bible that supports feminism.
What does the ‘golden thread’ include?
Liberation themes like Exodus, Jesus helping the marginalized, and moral teachings.
How does Reuther say we should treat patriarchal parts of the Bible?
Reject them if they conflict with the liberation theme.
What is the significance of Galatians 3:28 to feminist theology?
It claims spiritual equality of all people, supporting feminist liberation.
What does Daly think of the Bible’s portrayal of Mary?
That she is used to encourage female submission and passivity.
Why does Daly describe Mary as a ‘rape victim’?
Because of the power imbalance between God and Mary and lack of true consent.
What criticism does Daly have of the Catholic Church’s respect for Mary?
It’s like a slave owner respecting obedient slaves.
What is Mulieris Dignitatum?
A letter by Pope John Paul II defending traditional gender roles and complementarity.
What does JP II argue about women’s telos?
That it is motherhood, which develops compassion and self-giving.
What is feminist criticism of telos-based gender roles?
That they are cultural inventions by men to reinforce gender inequality.
How does de Beauvoir respond to gender telos?
By arguing telos is a man-made concept and freedom means defining your own purpose.
What does ‘existence precedes essence’ mean?
That humans exist before they have a defined purpose and must create it themselves.
What is de Beauvoir’s critique of religious feminism?
That religion enforces patriarchal roles on women through false promises.
How does Daly describe religious hierarchy?
As irredeemably patriarchal and incompatible with true female liberation.
Why is sisterhood important for Daly?
Because it replaces the church and provides healing without hierarchy or patriarchy.
What does Daly say about compromise with patriarchy?
That it never works and women must reject it entirely.
What is Daly’s view on women’s potential in education?
That it’s suppressed by the patriarchal environment.
Why does Daly criticize classroom dynamics for women?
Because women feel silenced and pressured to conform.
What does Reuther think about rejecting the Bible completely?
That we should instead reinterpret it using the golden thread of liberation.
How does the Bible’s message of Jesus and liberation relate to feminist theology?
It provides support for reformation and equality.
What does Daly believe must happen to the image of God for feminism to succeed?
It must be redefined away from maleness and fixed identity.
What is Hampson’s critique of liberal Christianity?
That it still reads the Bible as scripture and carries its sexist legacy.
How does Daly define patriarchy’s impact on spirituality?
It distorts it into male-centered power rather than true human flourishing.
