SherlockPetey

Doing research for a paper I'm writing, I've come across a lot of so-called feminist theology. As far as I can gather, it's basically a defense of the Bible written by women who consider themselves "Christians and feminists." Many of them claim that the Bible itself is not sexist, but that the church has misinterpreted the text to suit itself and its patriarchial structures.

What do you people think? Can a woman (or a man) be a feminist and a Christian at the same time or are the two mutually exclusive? Also, what are your views on the NT: is it less, more or equally sexist as the OT? Can Jesus as he is portrayed in the Bible be considered a feminist (something many feminist theologians claim)? Finally, do you think there is any value in feminist theology, or is Christianity (and, for that matter, Judaism) beyond redemption?

-SP

P.S. I guess my questions could apply to liberation theology in general, not just feminist theology.

Clivedurdle

Feminism has a very long history. Winkler has a very interesting discussion about women, witchcraft and Judaism - first few pages on Amazon give a flavour.

I did not realise that the seventh century Celtic Church at Whitby had an Abbess - equivalent to a Bishop.

Of course, the major religions based on one male god are arguably the result of the victory of patriarchal over matriarchal societies.

andrewcriddle

Although a Abbess in the Celtic church might have similar jurisdictional authority to a modern bishop she lacked the sacramental authority of a bishop (or for that matter a priest).

Often such an abbess would have a bishop working for her who would carry out ordinations etc on her behalf.

Andrew Criddle

spin

Not wanting to be a PITA, but this looks destined for another forum.

P = pain

Diogenes the Cynic

I think you're right. Sending this to GRD.

J-D

In order to argue this you have to argue that there actually have been matriarchal societies, a view which most anthropologists doubt (more intensely patriarchal and less intensely patriarchal yes, but actually matriarchal probably no).

Mike Rosoft

I recommend you to have a look at the Catholic reform groups, such as Women’s Ordination Conference. They are making a fairly strong case that female priests did exist in the early Christian church...


Mike Rosoft

Jehanne

Whether the very early Church had priestesses or not is irrelevant. Women priests were explicitly condemned in the Middle Ages and at least "ruled out" by the current (although, ailing) Pope. Catholicism is simply adapting itself to the new humanistic worldview spawned by Galileo's discoveries some 400 years ago.

Nostalgic Pushhead

Doesn't seem very feminist to me!

Pitshade

That depends on what type of Christian they claim to be. It is certainly incompatable with 'fundamentalist' strains. The Bible is pretty clear that women aren't the equal of men in the eyes of God.

The letters of Paul are pretty much sexist.
1Cor.11:3 But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a woman is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.

1Cor.11:8-9 (For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man.)

1Cor.14:34-35 the women should keep silence in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be subordinate, as even the law says. If there is anything they desire to know, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.

etc...

I can't think of any passages where Jesus made sexist comments, but neither can I remember ones where he promoted equality or condemned sexism. The most telling thing is that he preached adherence to the Law, which was in itself sexist.


Generally speaking, the rise of any 'liberal' strain of Christianity is a good thing. It seems to me that liberal Christians have more in common with non-theist secularists than they do with fundamentalists. That assumes that the feminist part of their belief is not of the lunatic fringe sort, however.