Christianity And Sexuality Flashcards
What role did St Augustine believe Eve played in The Fall (Genesis)?
Eve was responsible for Adam’s sin (eating from the Tree of Knowledge) – which led to The
Fall.
“When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye,
and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her
husband, who was with her, and he ate it” (Genesis 3:6)
“Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived” (Paul, Timothy)
Eve had been made as a ‘helper’ for Adam – instead, she leads to his Fall.
Eve is the first one to be deceived by Satan (in snake form). She then encourages Adam to
sin as well. She is therefore presented as responsible for causing Adam to sin – suggests
women are weak, dangerous, can’t be trusted, not suitable leaders…
Adam and Eve are seen as representative of humanity – actions have implications for all
humankind. For example, because of the Fall, there is pain during childbirth.
“Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in
this way death came to all people, because all sinned…” (Paul, Romans)
How did Tertullian (c. 155 – 244
CE) describe women?
‘The devil’s doorway’
Eve is the first one to be deceived by Satan, tempted to eat from the Tree, and
then encourages Adam to do the same – it is therefore ‘through’ Eve that sin
enters the world.
Sexual objectification of women; association between sex and shame.
Paul’s writing on women
Women should ‘learn in quietness and full submission’ – women should not
ask questions, give their own perspectives, teach others etc.
‘I do not permit a woman to teach’ – women cannot teach.
‘I do not permit a woman to assume authority over a man’ – women are not
allowed to take on leadership roles, they are not permitted to have any
authority over a man.
Consider: why did Paul hold these views? Think about the 1st century AD
context in which Paul was writing.
Why does John 4:27 state that ‘they were amazed that
he [Jesus] was talking with a woman’? What does this tell
us about 1st century Greco-Roman society and Jesus’
attitude towards women?
The disciples were ‘amazed’ that Jesus was talking with a woman – gives us an
insight into the patriarchal nature of 1st century Greco-Roman society.
They couldn’t believe that Jesus would be talking to a woman.
Many scholars argue that the Gospels show Jesus affirming and liberating
women.
There are other examples in the Gospels of Jesus showing a unique (for the
time) respect for women – for example, stopping the stoning of the adulterous
woman and first appearing to a woman (Mary Magdalene) after his
resurrection, the most important – and foundational – event in Christianity.
There are no examples of him actively discriminating against women (although
he did not appoint women as his core disciples).
Explain why women cannot become
leaders (priests, bishops, cardinals or Pope) in
the Catholic Church. Refer to Apostolic
succession
Jesus was male and only appointed 12 men as his disciples.
Pope John Paul II: “In calling only men as his apostles, Christ acted in a
completely free and sovereign manner. In doing so, He exercised the same
freedom with which, in all His behaviour, He emphasized the dignity and the
vocation of women” (Mulerius Dignitatem).
The Catholic Church teaches that when a man participates in the Priesthood,
after the Sacrament of Holy Orders, he acts in persona Christi Capitis –
representing the person of Christ.
He appointed Peter as the ‘rock on which I will build my Church’ (Matthew
16:18). Apostolic Succession requires that priests are male, in order to inherit
the authority initially given to the apostles.
When did the Church of England
consecrate its first female bishop
and what was her name?
Right Reverend Libby Lane
First woman to be appointed as a bishop by the Church of England, after its
General Synod voted in July 2014 to allow women to become bishops.
She was announced the Bishop of Stockport in December 2014.
What ‘special provision’ was
made to prevent a split in the
Church?
To prevent a split in the Church of England over the issue of the ordination of
women, special provision was made for whose who could not accept oversight by a
female bishop or the ministry of a female priest.
Christian communities can state that they will have a male priest only to serve in
their church.
Under this system of ‘alternative oversight’, ‘flying bishops’ have been appointed to
exercise pastoral care for the churches that object to women’s ordination.
They administer Confirmation and ordain priest to serve in those churches.
There has been an increase in the number of men seeking ordination under this
system.
Some priests have, however, felt unable to remain in the Church of England since
1994. Many have received ordination in the Catholic Church…
Name two other Churches which
allow women to become leaders
Methodist Church
Salvation Army
What is the Ordinate and why
did the Catholic Church set it up?
In 2011, the Ordinate was set up to allow Anglican priests who were married
to become Catholic priests and allow whole congregations to become fully
Catholic but retain elements of Anglican practice.
Give two reasons Christians may
support the ordination of women
‘There is neither male or female…you are all one in Christ’ (Paul, Galatians 3)
Priesthood of all believers: All believers in Christ share in his priestly status,
eliminating any special classes.
Ruether: Jesus should be seen as an androgynous figure, embodying both
masculine and feminine aspects. His ‘maleness’ is not significant.
Jesus only appointed men because of the social context he was operating in
(1st century AD patriarchal society). In today’s world, where attitudes to
gender equality have significantly progressed, there is no reason women
cannot take on leadership roles within the Church.
What is the difference between a
complementarian and an egalitarian? Refer
specifically to gender and social roles
Complementarian = Men and women are spiritually equal but socially
different. They have the same dignity but different social duties. For example,
men are to be breadwinners (and leaders) whereas women are to be
homemakers.
Egalitarian = Men and women are both spiritually and socially equal. They are
capable of taking on the same jobs.
What is Biblical criticism? Why is it
important for understanding Paul’s writing
about women in the New Testament?
Biblical criticism is the use of critical analysis to understand and explain the Bible.
Studies textual, compositional, and historical questions surrounding the Old and New
Testaments.
Uses the same tools as used in other literature in order to come to a fuller understanding of
the Bible. It uses a range of different approaches.
Includes looking at the language in which a text was written, including differences in the
early copies of the text. Literary genres, including whether the text was a historical account,
poetry, or letter to a specific church / person.
Includes an understanding of the cultural views from which a text sprang. For example,
considering whether the subordination of wives to husbands found in Ephesians reflects the
cultural ‘blinkers’ of the 1st century writer rather than God’s purpose in marriage.
AO2: Biblical criticism is criticised by Karl Barth – the Bible passes judgement on human
reason, not the other way around. The Bible should challenge secular values, rather than
be challenged by them (synoptic link: sources of wisdom and authority).
What does Mary Daly mean when
she says that ‘if God is male then male is
God’?
The depiction of God as male perpetuates sexism.
In Christian history, God has been described using male metaphors. This casts
humanity into a ‘female’ position and creates gender hierarchy. This then
consolidates gender hierarchy in the human situation.
The use of this masculine language about God exalts males within society.
God being a ‘Father’ reinforces the patriarchal system where the father is the head
of the family, and where men are the leaders in society.
Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis: A person’s perception of the world is shaped by the
language they speak. Language, thought and culture are interconnected.
Applied to Daly’s quote: When we talk about the most powerful being (God) as male,
we develop a belief in the supreme power of males.
Explain why Daphne Hampson
rejected Christianity
(1944 - )
Post-Christian theologian. She rejects Christianity as a historical religion tied to a patriarchal past. It is
therefore outdated and must be abandoned.
Given that Christianity is rooted in a belief that there has been a revelation in history (Jesus Christ’s
incarnation, crucifixion and resurrection), Christians necessarily look to the past. But the biblical
literature is imbued with patriarchal imagery and suppositions which are thus carried into the
present, perpetuating sexism.
The Christian story is a myth from a patriarchal age.
In Christian history, God has been described using male metaphors. This casts humanity into a
‘female’ position and creates gender hierarchy. This then consolidates gender hierarchy in the human
situation.
Father-Son imagery is dominant. There is a lack of imagery depicting men and women as equal
adults.
Christianity cannot be separated from its patriarchal ‘baggage’.
The Christian beliefs about incarnation and resurrection are without significant proof.
Explain why Rosemary Radford Ruether
advocated reform of the Catholic Church (but
remained within the Church)
Whilst Hampson thinks Christianity is tied to the past, Ruether argues that it actually looks
to the future – it is centred on a message of liberation.
Ruether denounced traditional theology as patriarchal but remains within the Catholic
Church, believing it is capable of being reformed.
The traditional doctrine of atonement with its masculine ideas of power should be replaced
with a depiction of Jesus as a radical and liberating prophetic figure who was ahead of his
time.
The term God should be replaced with God/ess to express freedom from gender.
Jesus embodied both masculine and feminine aspects; should be seen as androgynous.
Ruether points to Gospel references to Jesus siding with the marginalised in society, the
most vulnerable of whom were women.
The Kingdom of God is not a heavenly state but is to be set up on earth as a sphere where
justice prevails for all (synoptic link: self, death & afterlife).
