DESCRIPTION:

This course will survey reconstructions of traditional Christian doctrine by Christian feminists. Using the systematic loci as an organizational framework, students will be introduced to feminist, womanist, mujerista, Asian-American and Two-Thirds-World feminist reconstructions of theological method, revelation, God, creation, humanity, sin, salvation, church, and the end times. Through readings, lectures, informed discussions, and written assignments, students will be encouraged to reflect, evaluate, and interact critically and personally with those reconstructions. Class format will strive to reflect feminist values of mutuality and cooperation.

Feminist theologians are challenging the traditional language, imagery, theology and practice of the church. Convinced that androcentric Christianity has distorted our understanding of God, ourselves and our relation to creation, they seek to correct that distortion by reformulating theology according to women's experiences. The potential explosiveness of that reformulation requires not only theological discernment but also pastoral sensitivity, which begins with awareness of the issues at stake.

Lecture and informed discussion of preassigned readings. This is an intensive course, meeting daily for two weeks (except for July 4) for four-hour sessions.

Greene-McCreight, Kathryn. Feminist Reconstructions of Christian Doctrine: Narrative Analysis and Appraisal. Oxford University Press, 2000.

Isherwood, Lisa and Dorothea McEwan, eds. An A to Z of Feminist Theology. Sheffield Academic Press, 1996.

LaCugna, Catherine Mowry, ed. Freeing Theology: The Essentials of Theology in Feminist Perspective. Harper/San Francisco, 1993.

Additional readings as may be assigned.

Johnson, Elizabeth A. She Who Is: The Mystery of God in Feminist Theological Discourse. Crossroad, 1992.

King, Ursula, ed. Feminist Theology from the Third World: A Reader. Orbis Press, 1994.

Loades, Ann, ed. Feminist Theology: A Reader. Westminster/John Knox Press, 1990.

Ruether, Rosemary Radford. Sexism and God-Talk: Toward a Feminist Theology. Rev. ed. Beacon Press, 1993.

Russell, Letty M., ed. Feminist Interpretation of the Bible. Westminster Press, 1985.

Schüssler Fiorenza, Elisabeth. In Memory of Her: A Feminist Theological Reconstruction of Christian Origins. Crossroad, 1985.

(1) Assigned readings are to be completed before each class. (2) Brief, two-page, typed "response papers," interacting with the readings, due at the start of five of the classes. (3) A 15-page research project: either (a) research and evaluate a feminist reconstruction of one traditional Christian doctrine, or (b) devise a curriculum for a 10-hour course in feminist theologies to be taught by you in the congregation you presently serve or are expecting to serve.