feminist theology

• Feminist theology, rejectionist view (Daly, Stanton, de Beauvoir) - whole of Christianity = oppressive + male-dominated --> encourages women to leave Church
• Feminist theology, reformist view (McFague) - doesn’t reject Christianity but calls for greater equality in the faith
• Feminist theology, loyalist view (Nancy Campbell) - there is no oppressive sexism in Bible or Church
• Female priests are banned in the Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Southern Baptist Convention and many Evangelical Churches
• 33% of ordained priests are women in the CofE (2020)
• Feminist theology, rejectionist view - Mary Daly:


  • “Unholy Trinity” - rape, genocide, war encouraged by God
  • God’s Biblical kill count = at least 2 billion; Satan’s = 10
  • Purpose of Christianity = uphold patriarchy; source of misogyny
• Feminist theology, rejectionist view - E.C. Stanton:


  • Bible a tool to oppress women
  • “All religions on the face of the earth degrade women”
• Feminist theology, reformist view - Radford Ruther, E.A. Johnson:


  • Christology is basis for lots of Church’s sexism
  • Jesus’ maleness reinforces the idea men are made in God’s image, with women not ideal
• Feminist theology, rejectionist view - de Beauvoir


  • relig = instrument of oppression
• Feminist theology, reformist view - Woman’s Christian Temperance Union:


  • Bible inspires fight for social justice - apply Bible teachings to fight for women's rights
• “Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands” (Ephesians 5:22)
• “I do not permit a woman to teach or have authority over a man; she must be quiet.” (1 Timothy 2:12)
• Luther: role of women is to stay at home, look after house + kids
• Rev Paul Williamson (CofE): consecration of Lane as bishop “not in the Bible”
• the Roman Catholic Womenpriests campaigns for ordination of women in the Catholic Church
• Impact of FT - More inclusive lang, e.g. 1995 United Church of Christ’s new hymnal used less masc lang for God