Historical And Social Factors That Influence Devleopments In Christian Thinking About Women Flashcards
Role and status of women in the New Testament
Jesus regarded women highly: taught them the same wat he taught disciples e.g. ate with Martha and Mary and defended the woman who anointed him during a meal at Bethany for her action and rebuked those who criticised her
He had accompanied women as well as by his disciples and they assisted at his burial but feminist would object to their role ad they has cared for his needs; not carrying out preaching and ministry and Jesus didn’t commission them a s future leaders
St. Pauls letter to Galatian Christians explicitly stated we are all now ‘in Christ’, racial social and gender distinctions dont apply - no meaning
‘ there is neither Jew nor gentile, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus’ - galatians 3:28
However negative attitude towards women shown in Paul’s 1st letter in Corinthians - taken as it stands displays view women should VE quiet ‘women should remain silent in the churches’ actually addressing those who went to church to gossip and show off their riches
Pre nineteenth century views on women
Role of women restricted to marriage and motherhood
In early church’s existence deemed as sexist e.g. women referred to as ‘devils doorway’ - Augustine of hippo and others blamed Eve for the fall
5th century - banned women from being ordained as deacons and pope stated opposition of women’s involvement in celebrating Eucharist
Post nineteenth century views on women
Because of Industrial Revolution - men = work and women remained at home to carry domestic duties and bear children
But women became more accepted into professions such as medicine
Catherine Booth claimed women were suitable for preaching - better communication - Holy Spirit guides a preacher
Gradually women acquired employment rights e.g. equal pay (disputed) though women still minority in many fields of work
And more women in political power e.g. Theresa may
Development of biblical criticism
Until Protestant reformation in 16th century, all western Christian’s under auth of RC church, led by pope - few could read bible - Latin and illiterate so learnt about faith through church
But Protestant Christian’s could study bible in own languages and form their own opinions about meaning
Inc over past two centuries, liberal theologians (analyse bible using modern thought informed by reason and science) claimed bible should be studied same way as literature - led to biblical criticism
Examine bible language in which text was written
literary genres for example whether a book is a historical account, poetry,letter etc,
Understanding cultural values of the time e.g. wives subordinate to husbands
Negative attitudes to use of biblical criticism
Karl Barth rejected liberal approach - said that bible passes judgement on human reason not the other wat around, bible should be allowed to challenge secular values rather than having its interpretation driven by them - basis of conservative evangelical Christians
Many fundamentalist Christian’s reject anything but a literalist interpretation of the bible - believe bible is infallible word of god so role and status of women in church not up for debate
Critical examination of 1 Timothy 2:8-15
‘Men everywhere to pray, lifting up their holy hands…. Want women to dres modestly….. women should learn quietness and full submission. Id o not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man, she must be quiet’
sexist - description of man and women are very different - men are uplifted and described as ‘holy’
Women are reduced to submission and only way to be saved is ‘through childbearing’ - what about infertile women?
Degrading and alienating that that’s women’s only purpose
Different responses to the New Testament texts issues on gender
Egalitarian - men and women should be permitted equal roles in church - applies to all racial and social groups-all equal before Christ and should be treated that way
Complementarian- men and women’s re of equal importance but have different roles in society, marriage, family and church and should complement each other
Catholic view on ordination of women
Complementarian - supported by NML
Apostolic succession only passed from men to men - unborn succession goes back to Jesus’ disciples - all men
This position was confirmed in 1976 by Vatican declaration
The declaration states that Jesus’ radical attitude of great respect for women should be followed but doesn’t mean women should be leaders of church etc
Protestant view on role of women in church
Many Protestant believe in priesthood of all believers (all humans have direct contact with god no need for priests as intermediaries) dont believe in ordination to priesthood since all vocations are equal
Egalitarian approach - women can hold leadership as men can e.g. united reformed church = women = ordained since 1917
Debates about female ordination in Church of England
Debate since 1920
In 1944 Florence Li Tim-Oi was ordained priest in china because insufficient amount of men during WW2 as soon as war ended, license given back but in 1971 Synod of Hong Kong and Macao accepted ordination of women and her status finally recognised
In U.K. decades of debate, 1994 first ordination of women took place - 32 women ordained in Church of England in 1992 female ordination to priesthood accepted by all three houses of synod
1st bishop (Libby lane) consecrated in 2015
To prevent split of Church of England over issue of female ordination, special provision made fro those who didn’t accept female bishop or priest
Church comms can state they will have only male priests
For and against ordination of women as priests and bishops in Church of England
FOR:
Jesus - decision was a pragmatic one, choice of men based on culture of time, if chosen women mission would of never occurred as had to stay at home
Idea of equality requires an egalitarian interpretation
Gender should have nothing to do with apostolic succession - no reason why ordination of females should break it
Metaphors in bible that compare god to a mother
AGAINST:
Decision lacks ‘Catholic consent’ - has been made without consent of the universal church
Jesus challenged many social conventions of his day but chose men still - religious change should not be dictated by culture- although inevitably influenced not subject to it
Equality of status does not mean interchangeability - Complementarian approach
Threatens apostolic succession and therefore validity of many sacraments
Feminist theology
Three strands:
Liberal approach: christianitys patriarchal beliefs are problematic - denies equality
Biblical approach: ascribe to gods quals. Typically assoc with women and draw out importance of women in gospels
Radical approach:clams that Christian story is a myth and which wishes to speak to god in other gender - inclusive terms
Daphne Hampton
Rejects Christianity on two accounts:
Based on belief that there was a uniqueness to a person of Christ or a unique resurrection- revelation in history whereas since enlightenment we have come to think there’s no events and difficult to credit Jesus’ relationship with god as one of a kind
Given that Christianity is rooted in the belief there’s been a. Revelation in history, Christian’s necessarily look in past but biblical literature embedded with sexism
Think wat we seek to express god should reflect human awareness of god - thinks Christian story is a myth from a patriarchal age
Christians look to literature from a past age in which a pareiarchal outlook is akin for granted
God seen as transcendent and described using male metaphors - creates a fender hierarchy
Father and son imagery is dominant - lack of imagery depicting women and men as equal adults
No special revelation in Jesus so no reason to look to him - treated ppl with respect but didnt begin to see the inbuilt sexism in his society
Rosemary Redford Reuther
Concerned with the biblical message of liberation
Trad.doctrine of atonement with its masculine ideas of power is replaces wit depiction of Jesus as liberating prophetic figure
Point to gospel references of him siding with marginalised in society most vulnerable being women
Kingdom of god not a heavenly state but set up in earth where justice prevails all
Denounces traditional theology as patriarchal and sexist, remained within Catholic Church but condemned the patriarchal beliefs .
Trad doctrines of incarnation promote idea god is transcended, male power based being
Replaces term god with god/ess to express freedom of gender
Jesus embodied both masculine and feminine aspects of human nature so can be seen as androgynous
Hampton/Reuther debate
‘Is there a place for feminists in Christian church?’
Hampton- one could be religious and feminist problem of Christianity is that its a hsitoryical religion
Reuther- Christianity acc an eschatological faith based on future, liberating reign of God always reinterpreting itself
Hampton disagreed
