1. Gender and Theology - Introduction

Gender and Theology

1. Feminism and Theology

Key Questions in Feminist Theology

  • Is Christianity essentially sexist?

  • Can a male savior save women?

  • Can only women develop genuine spirituality?

  • Can God be presented in female terms?

  • Reinterpretation of God by feminist theologians includes:

    • Teaching of Rosemary Radford Ruether and Mary Daly on gender and its implications for the Christian idea of God

    • Ruether’s discussion of the maleness of Christ and implications for salvation:

      • Jesus’ challenge to male warrior expectations

      • God as feminine Wisdom

    • Daly’s claim: ‘if God is male, then the male is God’ and its implications for Christianity including:

      • Christianity's 'unholy trinity' of rape, genocide, and war

      • Spirituality experienced through nature

Feminist Challenges to Theology

  • Feminists have challenged traditional gender roles in society and in theological contexts.

  • Feminist theologians examine how theology contributes to the historical oppression of women rather than just traditional gender roles.

Feminist Theology Questions

  • Justification of male dominance and female subordination in theology

  • Exclusive use of male language for God

  • View that men are more like God than women

  • Assertion that only men can represent God as leaders in the Church

Perspectives of Feminist Theologians

  • Some argue that the patriarchal understanding of Christianity is incorrect, advocating for a more genuine non-sexist interpretation.

  • Others seek to reinterpret Christianity without patriarchal elements.

  • Some maintain that the religion is irredeemably sexist and should be abandoned altogether.

Prominent Theologians

Rosemary Radford Ruether (b. 1936)

  • American Roman Catholic theologian

  • Advocated for women’s ordination in the Roman church

  • Critiques traditional Christian theology but argues for reform, suggesting it has been distorted by patriarchal traditions.

Mary Daly (1928-2010)

  • American “post-Christian” feminist theologian

  • Argued that the notion of a patriarchal fatherly God supports a sexist culture of denigration and violence towards women.

  • Associated with the 'unholy trinity' of rape, genocide, and war.

Mary Daly’s Contributions

Radical Approach

  • Self-described ‘radical lesbian feminist’

  • Forced to retire in 1999 for denying male students access to her classes

  • Originally a Roman Catholic who later abandoned Christianity.

Key Thesis

  • In "Beyond God the Father", Daly emphasized that for women to escape cultural oppression, a complete reevaluation of existing values, termed ‘transvaluation,’ is required.

  • Suggested the need to ‘kill’ God and traditional Christianity to achieve this goal.

Reflection

  • Daly speculated about a ‘depatriarchalised Bible,’ hinting there might be some salvageable material worth compiling.

Final Consideration

How Theology Enforces Patriarchy

  • An exploration of the ways theology may contribute to maintaining patriarchal structures.