Christianity - Gender and Sexuality

?

The place of women in the church

The New Testament shows that some women had positions of authority in the Church - however in today's society there are many passages in scripture and writing which would be classed as sexist.

According to St Augustine and many others - the world was damned because of Adam and Eve - therefore women were regarded as the "devil's gateway"

In the 5th Century - women were seen as a threat for playing a significant role within the Church - so many councils refused the ordination of women. After the 5th Century - celibacy was introduced and allowed women to escape from a male dominated society. 

Hildegarde of Bingen - used this to pursue poetry and music and hold a high position of power.

During the Protestant Reformation - the Church was dominated by men - with women playing supplementary roles. However, societies views were changing and this influenced how women saw themselves within the Church.

1 of 11

Biblical passages for and against gender equality

1 Corinthians 14:34-35

'Women should remain scient in churches. They are not allowed to speak and must remain submissive - it would be disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.'

This is a biblical passage against gender equality. This is a St Paul replying to a question. However many have argued that this is in response to a specific situation and is not part of doctoral ruling for the whole of the Church.

1 Romans 16:1-2

'I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church'

This is a biblical passage for gender equality 

The basis of all forms of equality is being 'in Christ'. Rules and social norms do not apply

2 of 11

Responses to New Testament texts on gender

Christian Egalitarians - argue that there should be no distinction between men and women when it comes to roles within the Church. All are equal before Christ, and should, therefore, be treated as equal.

Christian Complementarians - argue men and women are of equal importance to God, but they have different and complementary roles in marriage, family, society and the Church.

  • Catholics have a Complementarian approach to the role of women - men and women are equal to God in status and value but have different roles to play within the church. This is coherent with Natural Law (living in an ordered society and worship God).
  • But Catholics still argue that Apostolic Succession can only be passed on from men to men - this unbroken succession dates back to Jesus' Apostles.
  • Many Protestants believe in the Priesthood of all believers (all believers can have direct contact with God and are all equal before God).
  • They take an egalitarian approach - equality between men and women extends to their roles. Both should have equal roles within the Church.
3 of 11

Female ordination in the CofE For and Against

For

  • Churches must go it alone with ideas in order to do what is right.
  • Jesus' decision was pragmatic. Had Jesus had chosen women his mission would never have happened. However, in today's society, the ordination of women reflects a change and acceptance.
  • To refuse women ordination is to regard and treat them unequally
  • Gender should have nothing to do with Apostolic succession - there is no reason why female ordination would break this.

Against 

  • Lacks 'Catholic consent' - been made without the universal consent of the Church
  • As a Father of God, a bishop represents the Fatherhood of God. The Bible does not refer to God as a mother - overturns the teachings of the Bible.
  • Religious change should not be dictated by changes in culture. It may be influenced and enriched but not subjected to it. 
4 of 11

Feminism and Hampson

3 types of feminism: Liberal (patriarchal beliefs are problematic - denies women fundamental rights to men), Biblical ( draws on the importance of women in the Gospels) and Radical (the Christian story is a patriarchal myth -  we should speak of God in gender-neutral terms)

Daphne Hampson 

  • Rejects Christianity - it is the belief that Christ is a unique person and has a unique resurrection. Since Enlightenment, some have come to the conclusion that God will only have a relationship with God. 
  • Secondly, the Bible is riddled with patriarchal imagery and suppositions which are carried to the present day and used as a justification for sexism.
  • The way we seek to express God should reflect human awareness of God - the story is a myth from a patriarchal age.
  • Christians have a patriarchal outlook of the Bible - e.g. God is described with male metaphors - creating a gender hierarchy.
  • Jesus treated everyone with respect.
5 of 11

Ruether

  • She argues that Jesus embodied both masculine and feminine aspects of human nature - Jesus is seen as androgynous (both male and female characteristics)
  • She is concerned with the Biblical message of liberation 
  • She makes reference to how Jesus helped all those in society - many of the vulnerable being women.
  • She believes that the Kingdom of God is not a heavenly state, but is set upon earth as a sphere where justice prevails for all.

Reuther agrees with Hampson that traditional theology is patriarchal and sexist and still remains within the Catholic Church.

6 of 11

Christian view about Celibacy

Living life with no sexual activity. Christians teach that marriage is a sexual, social and emotional union - so 'before marriage, you should remain celibate. To some Christians, celibacy is not just choosing a life without sex, but choosing to live a life of a single person in order to devout your life to God (Matthew 19:12)

St Paul argues you should remain celibate unless your urges become too strong - in this case, you should marry. (1 Corinthians). However, Paul said this because he believed Judgement was close and marriage would distract people from it.

In the Catholic Church - priestly celibacy is seen as a positive offering to a service of God

The Orthodox Church - allows married men as priests but are not allowed after the ordination of bishops and must remain celibate 

The Anglican and Protestant Churches - allow their clergy to be married, they argue that a celibate man fails to live up to the biblical requirements for a church leader (it goes against 1 Timothy 3:1-17)

7 of 11

Christian views about Marriage

In the Early beginnings of the Church, you were either expected to marry or remain celibate.

Marriage is seen as a Sacrament (a special means of receiving God's grace). Then starting a family was seen as vocational.

For Catholicscouples who have divorced may not remarry as in the eyes of God and the Church they are still married. Only if an annulment (the marriage is seen as void) is given can a Catholic 'remarry'.

Protestants see marriage as an ordinance, not a sacrament. Divorce and re-marriage are accepted, however, those who re-marry maybe expected to admit their failure and show that their new marriage is as God wishes.

  • In today's society, Marriage is seen as more of a relationship than just having children.
  • Nowadays, many marriages are civil ceremonies and no religious elements are present e.g. Humanist.
  • Same-sex marriage and adoption of children are both legally permissible. Catholics still don't accept marriage, but Protestant churches e.g. Quakers accept anyone into the 'church of friends'.
8 of 11

Christianity and Biblical view about Homosexuality

Throughout early history, if you were homosexual you were subject to public disgrace and imprisonment. Today if this was to happen you would be arrested for homophobia.

Homosexuality and Christianity 

  • The changing views of society and the laws put in place have posed many challenges on Christianity. Especially as the Church likes to work closely with society.

Biblical teachings on homosexuality 

  • In the Old Testament, homosexuality was seen as an abomination and punishable by death.
  • In the New Testament, St Paul classed homosexuality as 'anti-social activities'
  • However many Christians would argue that the teachings of the Bible reflected the view and attitudes of society at the time, and can't be directly applied to modern life.
  • The tale of Sodom and Gomorrah 
9 of 11

Christian views on homosexuality

Many Evangelical Protestants believe the Bible is the word of God - therefore homosexuality is detestable and incompatible with being a Christain.

Other Protestants - take into account biblical criticism. They fully support the changes in law and seek to follow Jesus who challenged social and religious injustice. Everyone has equal value regardless of gender and sexuality.

The Catholic Church distinguishes between orientation and practice. Meaning that they have no problem with people being homosexual as long as they don't practice it and remain celibate.

The Church of England - is split between the liberal and progressive view of many of its members. Many of the clergy are gay, they argue that homosexual marriage is less than heterosexual marriage, but everyone should be treated equally and with respect. They also argue that gay clergy members should practice celibacy 

10 of 11

Christian views on homosexuality

Many Evangelical Protestants believe the Bible is the word of God - therefore homosexuality is detestable and incompatible with being a Christian.

Other Protestants - take into account biblical criticism. They fully support the changes in law and seek to follow Jesus who challenged social and religious injustice. Everyone has equal value regardless of gender and sexuality.

The Catholic Church distinguishes between orientation and practice - meaning that they have no problem with people being homosexual as long as they don't practice it and remain celibate.

The Church of England - is split between the liberal and progressive view of many of its members. Many of the clergy are gay, they argue that homosexual marriage is less than heterosexual marriage, but everyone should be treated equally and with respect. They also argue that gay clergy members should practice celibacy 

11 of 11

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar Religious Studies resources:

See all Religious Studies resources »See all Christianity resources »