Feminist Theology
Must God Be Male?
Feminist Theology
 Feminist theology, as a theology of liberation, is
concerned about exposing this false universalism [the idea
that the masculine experience applies to everyone] and
reinterpreting the experiences of women.
Valerie Saiving Goldstein from Jacquelyn Grant
 "Feminism is a social vision, rooted in women's experience
of sexually based discrimination and oppression, a
movement seeking the liberation of women from all forms
of sexism, and an academic method of analysis being used
in virtually every discipline."
Anne M. Clifford
Types of Feminist Theology
There are three basic types of feminist
theologies:
Revolutionary Feminist Theology
Reformist Feminist Theology
Reconstructionist Feminist Theology
Waves of Feminists Theology
First Wave of Feminists
 First wave of feminism – 
developed in 19th
century. In the US the
first major event was the
Women’s Rights
Convention in 1848 in Firs wave of feminist in Europe; http://pers-www.wlv.ac.uk/~le1810/41.jpg
Seneca Falls, NY. It
continued on until 1920
when women gained the
right to vote.
Women’s Rights Convention; http://nmaa-ryder.si.edu/1001/2001/07/images/1994.91.231_1b.jpg
Second Wave of Feminists
Second wave of
feminism – It is
traced to the
adoption of the
United Nations of the
charter to eliminate
discrimination
against women in
1967.
http://www.hrweb.org/legal/unlogo.gif
http://people.bu.edu/wwildman/WeirdWildWeb/media/galleries/theology/theologians/Daly_Mary_01.jpg
Third Wave of Feminists
 Third wave of feminism –
This movement is traced
to the “International
Women’s Year” which
“launched” the UN
Decade of Women. It
also became clear that
women in different parts
of the world experience
discrimination differently
(womanist, mujerista,
etc)
Feminist Theologies Explained
Revolutionary Feminist Theology
Wants to totally revolutionize Christian theology; it
advocates worship of Goddess and woman centered
culture among other things. A male centered God is
problematic and Christianity is irredeemable.
Reformist Feminist Theology
Advocates modest changes in the current church
structure, usually believes in the more traditional
aspects of Christian theology but oppose gender
bias and unequal power.
Reconstructionist Feminist Theology
Recognizes that the church must undergo a
thorough change beyond merely sharing power with
men and at the same time maintain Christian
traditions.
Christian Feminist
Reconstructionists
Main Points
The Self
1. Conscientization
This term is used especially in mujerista or
"latina." In feminist theology one validates
ones experiences. The experiences of women
have been negated or downplayed by the
patriarchal structure. To this end one is also
sensitive to the experiences of others that are
different from one's own. is. Patriarchy and
androcentrism (male centered description) are
sins. When people suffer because of their race,
ethnicity, gender, class, age, status, sexual
orientation it is sin. Therefore, social location
is very important.
The Interpretation
2. Hermeneutics
The Bible is interpreted in light of whether or not it
liberates women and men. If the text does not
liberate then "it either must not be true or has been
misinterpreted." The hermeneutics (interpretation)
of the Bible and church practices are "detecting"
patriarchal and androgynous tendencies. Therefore,
one looks at language, depictions of women and
men, parables, etc. in light of women's liberation
from oppression and to the end of empowering
women.
The Practice
3. Praxis
This theology is rooted in praxis. One needs to work
at liberating women. One must take concrete steps
to eradicate the oppressive structures. One works in
the church and in society. " . . . Christian feminist
theologies take up the love command of Jesus,
recognizing that actively loving one's neighbors,
especially those most in need, cannot separate them
from the love of God . . . "
Womanist Theology
Ain’t I a Woman
Womanist Theology Defined
 A womanist is sometimes
referred to as a Black
feminist. Womanist
theology is rooted in the
experience of Black
women who have had
triple oppression (race,
gender, class).
 The term “womanist”
was coined by Alice
Walker in her book In
Search of Our Mothers’
Gardens
http://www.pacifica.org/programs/cimages/walker.jpg