rosemary radford reuther

summary

• Christianity & Feminism: Christianity has been patriarchalised but can be reformed to align with feminism.

• Imago Dei: Men and women are equally created in God’s image, supporting equality.

• Female Divine Wisdom: Early Christian and Hebrew traditions associated divine wisdom (Sophia) with femininity.

• God Beyond Gender: The Hebrew Bible’s God (Yahweh) is beyond gender; calling God ‘Father’ is a later Christian invention.

• Early Female Leadership: Women had leadership roles in early Christianity (e.g., Montanists) but were erased through persecution.

• Paul & Female Prophets: Paul’s call for women’s silence in church may have been a response to female prophets in Corinth.

• Roman Patriarchalisation: Christianity’s adoption by the Roman Empire solidified its patriarchal structures.

psychological patriarchalisation

• Women are associated with emotions and sin, while men are linked to reason and virtue.

ruether’s christology

• Jesus, unlike the expected warrior-Messiah, embodied self-sacrificing, servant leadership, which aligns with feminine wisdom.

• Christianity must reject patriarchal reinterpretations of Jesus and reclaim his inclusive nature

mary daly’s critique

• A male saviour inherently reinforces patriarchy, making spiritual salvation for women impossible under current conditions.

• Ruether counters that Jesus, as a symbol of female wisdom, can still offer inclusive salvation

the golden thread

• The Bible contains both patriarchal and liberating themes; the latter should be extracted to reform Christianity.

• Liberation themes include:

  • God defending the oppressed (e.g., Exodus).

  • Jesus uplifting marginalized groups, challenging authority, and promoting justice.

key biblical examples

• Samaritan Woman: Jesus broke cultural norms but may not have explicitly advocated gender equality.

• Adulterous Woman (John 8): Jesus opposed capital punishment but still upheld traditional sin morality.

• Martha & Mary: Encouraged Mary to learn rather than perform domestic duties, possibly challenging gender roles.

• Galatians 3:28: Spiritual equality does not necessarily translate to social or gender equality

the non-political Jesus argument

• Jesus focused on individual morality, not social revolution.

• His statements about taxes and government suggest detachment from worldly politics

mulieris dignitatum (Pope John Oaul II, 1988)

• Defended traditional gender roles, arguing men and women are different but complementary.

• Claimed motherhood is central to women’s nature and fulfillment

final debate

• Ruether sees Jesus as an inclusive figure corrupted by patriarchal interpretations.

• Critics argue Jesus' teachings do not fully support feminist reform.

• The question remains: Can Christianity be redeemed, or is it inherently patriarchal?