Feminist theology

Tuesday, 23 October 2018 10:11 AM

How women are excluded and discriminated in India

society.

Sis Shalini Mulackal,

1. Devaluation
2. Discrimination
• she argues that devalued, widows are devalued,
widows are considered devalued than married
women.
• Married women are devalued than unmarried.
• Female child is unwelcome in Indian families.
• The girl is considered as paraya Dhan
• Shamla race, more girls are malnutrition’s. Boys
are considered as ‘Apna dhan’
• Son preference is reality in Indian society.
• Man is norm for everything. In terms of defining
Christ, defining bible. Ex girl in between 10-15
years not allowed to enter in shabarimalai.
• Women they have no country over their body.
• Crimes against women is increasing day by day in
the society.
• Space of women in church, politics , home and
society is very much restricted.
25/10/18
According to census 2011, child sex ratio 914 girls for
1000 boys. Reasons are female infantization , female
discrimination.
Politics
64 of 542 in Indian parliament
27 of 245 in Rajya sabha
Literacy
M 82.14%
F 65.46%
According to NCRB 2016
39 crimes against women are reported every hour ,
33% of crimes are committed either by husband,
relatives,
11% are rape cases.
54% increased sexual crimes against women in last
four years.
It shows pathetic conditions of women.
UP 2015- 120,
2018- 231
Delhi 2015-100
2017-77
2018-55.

Monster salary index 2018,

• women constitute only 27% of work done by
women.
• 68% of working women report, experience of wage
inequality.
• Indian constitution passed in 1976 equal
remuneration act.
• 22 out of 25 judges are sitting in Indian Supreme
Court are men.
• Forbes magazines celebrations, no Bollywood
actresses.

Lance the medical

• A third of women were committed suicide 100/33,
reasons are early mother wood, domestic violence,
and economic dependence.
• 2,39000 girls every 5 years die due to gender
discrimination in India.
• 85 million women were married in 18 years.
• 19% of conviction rate for crimes against women.

Feminists theology is attempts to engage with these

realities.
26/10/18
Gender, sex, role stereotype.

• Gender: according to Kamala bhasin, social,

culture define of men and women. Way society
defines. Male into masculine, female into feminine.
• She argues that we define with different roles,
behaviour, rights, responsibility, in the process.
• As man and women you have certain expectations.
• Ann oakley, say gender is a matter of culture, it is a
social classification of men and women into
masculine and feminine.
• Gerdar Lerner says, Sex is biologically given ;
gender is culturally created.
• Sex, Kamala Bhasin says sex is natural biological
and constant. Sex is not changed. And sex also
visible different in genitalia and different in
reproduction. She says that s x is fact gender is
social.
• She also says that sex differences is disadvantages
for women.
• Robert stollen, argues that if proper term for sex
are male and female and general terms are
masculine and feminine. Gender is a amount of
masculine and feminine, that can be found in every
person.
• The problem with gender in the sex is assigning
roles, assigning the roles space women inferrer
roles.
• Works of men, we assign work in terms of income,
discipline, protection,

30/10/18
Patriarchy
• Where father rules the household and controls the
property, takes the major decisions. Later it
developed rule of man in society.
• Maria Mies , patriarchy denotes the historical and
societal dimension of women’s experience of
exploitation and oppression.
• According to EATWOT, Patriarchy gives more
value to man than woman.
• Rose Mary Reuther , argues that patriarchy is nerve
of racism, ageism, clericalism, sexism, colonialism,
and classism.
• Verda Lerma, sexism defines the ideology of men
supremacy, male superiority, and of beliefs that
support and maintain. Sexism and patriarchy
mutually reinforce one another.
How it was originated
• Maria Mies, argues that patriarchy was developed
in the context of robbery, warfare, and conquest
between the communities.
• Frederick Engels, he argues that all societal were
once matriarchal during period of hunting. Men
used to go for hunting, women used to manage take
care of everything at home. Women used to take
care economic of the family in the absence of men.
• When the society became agriculture economy,
men began to control the property, and family
affairs. Therefore patriarchy is originated during
the agricultural times.
• Jean Jacque’s Rousseau, he argues that patriarchy
was emerged during the settled life. Two sexes
began to adopt different roles. While female sex
began to take care normal house hold activities and
males began to sources of income, and to protecter
the family and society.
• Patriarchy as system perpetuate the system in
hierarchical in nature, in this system man is the top
of hierarchy. In as system women as subordinate in
position. Any system will become patriarchal if
that system run by men, men is prioritised over
women in terms of opportunities and leadership.
• Patriarchy is as perspective, it inculcates a
perspective or outlook that women is weaker,
inferior than man and women are property of men.
Man is the centre of thinking, define everything
through the eyes of men and man is centre of right.
• Patriarchy is an ideology, ideology is science of
ideas, content of thinking. Ideology promotes that
man is inherently superior in nature, physical, it
promotes the binary of superior and inferior, strong
and weak, man and woman. It is an ideology of
domination, subjugation of women by men
exploitation of women by men oppression of
women by men.

01/11/18
Construct of ideal man and woman in the patriarchal
culture.
• In Indian context an ideal woman is a submissive
wife.
• A self sacrificing mother.
• Silent self giving mother/woman/sister.
• Obedient to husband.
• A woman must be virgin before marriage.
Ideal man
• Protector
• Provider
• Physically and mentally Strong
• Rational
• Not expected to be flexible.
• Kachurani Abraham, the myth of ideal woman
becomes a platform for the exploitation of women
at family, Church and society.
• Feminist theology deconstruct that there is no ideal
man or woman rather we have ideal human.

Assignment
18th Feb 2019
Reading report 30 pages hand written any book,
should cover entire syllabus.

02/11/18
Feminist movements:
Feminism:
• What is feminism, term according to Kamala
bhasin, awareness about woman’s oppression or
exploitation in the society and church a constant
action to change. It is an analysis of patriarchal
control and exploitation an ideals and Material.
• Any one, a man or woman who recognises
existence of sexism male domination and
patriarchy and one who takes some action against
about all these called feminist.
• Feminism is an ideology and belief system
advocates social, political equal rights with men.
• It is a body of knowledge , thought and theory
created to challenge patriarchal ideology and
knowledge.
• Saskia Wiering, feminism is a discursive course
supporting represents of gender and creating new
representatives, and identity.
• Feminism comes out, out of personal, inner
struggles, and public …..
• It is also individual and collective action.
• It is an ideological stand/position against any kind
of bondage, hierarchy, inequality, for freedom,
equality, justice.

• Feminist movement primarily focused on political

rights of women, particularly voting rights of
women.
• Feminist movements overlooked of black women
so they argued for social rights. They argue that
white women became the centre for white women.
Considering equal rights with white women. They
argued that feminist movements is primarily for
white women. So they argued for new movements,
which is called womanism.
• Alice walker coined term of womanism, issues are
gender, colour, caste, class, ethnicity.

06/11/18
• Plato argued for political and sexual equality of
women.
• Later Jeremy Bentham, defended the rights of
women.
• 16-17th century feminist writers have come.
• There were queen in 18th n 19th century.
• Queen Victoria, mad wicked folly of women.
• Florence nightingale, her brave action encouraged
to women come forward. She nursed in war field.
• Quakerism or society of friend era , it raised the
voice for equality of women, provided sufficient
spare for women to articulate their thoughts.
• Margaret fell, ‘women speaking justified approved
in 1667, this article provided insides of the role of
women. Helped women to think differently, this
article became a moment.
• Sarah Grimke, in 1837 another member of
Quakerism. She argued the theological and biblical
foundations of women, from Gen 1:27.
• Antoninette Brown, she examined Pauline letters
with the feminist perspective.
• Anti slavery movement, during this movement
women were not allowed to participate and speak
against slavery. They say that Women also were
treated as slaves.
• Women conducted anti slavery movement in
London in 1840 under the leadership of Elizabeth
candy stanton. This another milestone in feminist
movement.
• In 1850 July 19-20, Women Rights convention in
New York, political and social rights of women.
They came up with Declaration rights of women.
• These conventions at least could influence
Churches. In 1853 Antoinette brown was ordained.
• Women’s bible was published under the leadership
of Elizabeth Cady Stanton.
• World war, first and second. During the Second
World War many men who were working, left their
work places like industries, companies, and
churches and joined army. During this time many
women were recruited and joined jobs. When men
came they resumed their jobs. Then women were
doing jobs they got confidence that they also can
do the work. The loss of jobs consciouses women
unequal social position in the society with men.
• This conscious of women led to large protest rally
by women in 1970 in New York.
• WCC also contributed women awaken in the
society. WCC observe in 1988-1998 as decades of
solidarity with women.
• United N O Declared 1975, international of
women.

08/11/18
Waves of feminism.
• 1st wave of feminism happened in the 19th century
and the early 20th century. Most of the feminist
movements were by white women. And it was
ended in 1920 by giving US constitutional
amendment in 1920. Main focus was to get
political rights equally with men.
• anti slavery movement, it gave ideological and
moral support for future feminist movement
• Second wave (1960-80) this time feminist attempt
to right for social and cultural rights. Simone de
Beauvoir, ‘the second sex’. Her argument was how
women are raced. Many women liberation
movements through out the world was emerged.
This period also female enrolment in studies.
Universal declaration rights provided equal rights
for women studies. Many universities provided
courses for women.
• Third wave 1990-2000, finical inequality, social,
cultural. In this wave they demanded for equal
wave and equal opportunities in job sect. Another
feature was more participation women in politics.
At the same time in media. Media propagates
negative about women. In terms of body,
capacities, etc.,
• Fourth wave of feminism 2008 onwards. Fight for,
inequality with men, in street, sexual harassment,
work place discrimination, media image, online
misogyny. Result Nirbhaya act. This act increased
punishment for the culprits. Minimum 7 years max
death penalty. Amendment of anti sexual.
Indian feminist movements.
• In the first wave many women participated in
freedom struggles as leaders and volunteers. In this
wave many feminist movements started in India.
‘Prayag Manila samithi in 1909. Another women’s
India association 1917, National council of India
women in 1920, all India women’s conference in
1927. They raced their voice against their
oppression and was led and run by upper class
women still they are conscious about the
oppression of women. First voice franchise for
right vote was raced in 1817. Women peasant
movement. Telangana peasants movement, Jayanti
Priyanvada says we participated in Telangana
present movement with a dream that in families
there would be no such thing as women bending
before men.
15/11/18
Feminist epistemology
• Study of the Origin, nature, and validity of
knowledge.
• How do you know? Is a basic question.
• Traditional epistemology says all knowledge is
acquired by reason. Rene Descartes says I think I
am exist. Immanuel Kant says that whatever we
experience through our senses is knowledge.
Another way is acquired knowledge through
doubting.
• Margins say that experience is the primary
epistemological source. Kancha Illaiah says
experience has epistemological value. Sharmila
rege says gender experience of women is
knowledge.
• Modern epistemology says that objective
knowledge is valid. But marginal epistemologist or
post modern epistemologist says that Subjective
knowledge is also valid knowledge.
• Feminist epistemologist says that body mediated
experiences is primary experiential source for
knowledge .
• Arthur voter says that human presence and
existence located in body.
• Francis Gon salve says that body is fundamental
site where human beings experiences suffering and
happiness.
• Chris Shilling says that It is our bodies which allow
to act, to intervene in and to altar the flow of daily
life.
• Shalimar mulackal argues, human identity,
personality, everything express through our body.
• Christine E Gudarf argues, experiences of body
both positive and negative can provide resources
for new thinking and new perspectives.

16/11/18
• Elizabeth Johnson and rose Mary Reuther Redford
both of them argued that women’s experiences are
primary source for their theology.
• Evangeline Anderson Rajkumar says that our body
is not only to site of oppression exploitation and
violence but also site of agencies and power to
intervene and transform the society. And also body
an instrument to show resistance, to show spirit of
compact and also solidarity and also instrument of
celebration, victory over system that limits church.
• Elizabeth grosz says body become a text, system of
science to be deciphered, read, and read into.
• Mary Jo Lozzio argues that our body is locus of
theology and
• Mettic Abraham says our body-affirming theology.
Our body helps us to know God.

23/11/18
IV unit
What is feminist theology.
• Feminist theology is an attempt to understand and
interpret Christian faith in feminist view. Or
looking at Christian faith through the eyes of
women.
• God talk from feminist perspective.
• Book, Natalie k Watson, critical, contextual,
contractive and creative rereading and rewriting of
Christian theology. It regards women: their bodies ,
perspectives and experiences as relevant to the
agenda of Christian theologians and advocates
them as subjects that theological discourses and as
full citizens of the church.
• Feminist theology aims on transformation of
theological concepts, method, language and
imagery.
• Holistic theology which includes the voices and
hopes of women.
• Feminist theology is the oppressing situation of
women is the starting point.
• At the same time unearths the factors which
contributes of negate women full humanity,
equality.
• They motivate the faith community to take an
action for empowerment of women.
Why they want to reformulate.
• It is dominated theologies. European, Indian
theology. Feminist theologian argue that these are
gender biased and sexist theology. There
articulation is developed by men. And influenced
by patriarchal outlook, patriarchal context and
culture.
• Dominate theologies are responses to the
philosophical equations of the past. Not addressing
to the ground level.
• Dominated theologies do not address the issues of
women.
• These dominated theologies projects women as
inferior being based on creation order.
• Man is the norm, so, theological language is gender
biased.
• The content of the dominated theologies are
masculine categories. Therefore rethink and
reconstruct the sources, method of the theologies.

27/11/18
How feminist reconstruct theology.
• Kochuoari Abraham says, reclaiming women’s real
humanity is task of feminist theology. This
theologies affirm women’s real humanity.
• Prasanna Kumari Samuel argues that we want to
construct theology with the stories of women their
hopes and aspirations as centre of theology.
• Gabriel Dietrich, reconstruction of women’s
history also the part of theology.
• Kark Purilan, theology should rely on insights from
other religions even folk literature.
• Lelty M Russel, usable past. There are historical
events which liberate women should function as
foundations for their theology.
• Aruna gnanadasan, we want to reconstruct
theology by dialogue with the word of biblical
women.
• Sources for theology, scriptures, traditions,
reasons, experiences, revelations etc.
• Elizabeth Firenze, she argues that scripture is not
authoritative source for theology rather it is
resource for theologising, because scripture is
patriarchal text.
• Mary Dally, we can accept the scripture if it is
depatriarchalise.
• Phillis Tribble, there are many terrors in the Bible.
• Secondly, traditions. What about the traditions of
women.

29/11/18
Experience
• Experience of women can provide theological
value. Experiences of biblical women as sources of
theology.
• Their encounter with God can constitute as source
for theology.
Revelation
• Dominated theologies are always depended on
revelatory experiences of men.
Reason
• Lettuce M Russel argue that dominated theologies
depended on philosophies developed out of men
reasoning.
• Western philosophies considered men as rational
being. Therefore, we want to develop theology out
of our reason.
• Feminist theology comes out of women experience.
30/11/18
Theological authority.
• Church- no salvation out side the church. Authority
of church comes to decisions of counsel, statement
or proclaim of the heads of the church. For others
tradition as authority. Roman Catholic Church
consider pope as infallible.
• Elizabeth fiaronza, mafaque grey and P tribbles
argue that church as whole is not using but church
can renewed. Renewed church can be authoritative
for us, which can give equal space for women.
• Mary Daly argues that Christianity is irredeemable
sexist. For them all churches does not give space
for women. Their argument is any tradition or any
scriptural text that promote full humanity of
women is authoritative. Again they argue that
canon is not bible but their tradition and
experiences. Therefore, their theological authority
derived from their experiences.
Dalit, tribal, adivasi’s women reconstruct of feminist
theology.
• Ruth Manorama argues that Dalit women
experiences are different than non Dalit women.
Their experiences are with caste, gender, class.
Therefore, we need to considered Dalit women
experiences because theology controlled by High
caste women. Therefore, when we develop feminist
theology the experiences of Dalit women must be
considered. Because we cannot generalise all
experiences are same.
• Bama argues that stories of Dalit women should
function as sources of feminist theology in India.
• Tribal and adivasi women argues that the
experiences of tribal and adivasi women are
different from Dalit and with other women.
• T vanlatlami and eymgbeni Humtsre argues that
experience, issues of tribal/adivasi women are
different. In short there can not be one feminist or
womanist theology. Different issue, experiences,
stories reconstruct the feminist theology.
04/12/18
Feminist hermeneutics
• Feminist hermeneutics is firstly, reader is no
longer, neutral perspective from objective.
• Secondly, Text. Which text, why this text is who
select. No text is neutrally connected.
• Thirdly, Context, not the context of the writer but
context of the reader has to be considered.
What is the main purpose of feminist hermeneutics.
1- Mary Daly argues that bible can be de patriarchal
by exposing patriarchal text.
2- Rose Mary Rutherford Ruether, argues that
purpose is for a promotion and affirmation for full
humanity of women. we want argue that full
humanity of woman. And full humanity of women
affirms redemption. Feminist hermeneutics
attempts to reclaim the space and power in the text.
3- Mary Ann Tolbert, Bible can be made redemptive
for women if it can interpreted from feminist point
of view.
4- Elizabeth Fiorenza, she developed four steps.
• Firstly, read the text with the suspicious was used
to suppress, or oppress women. So she argues that
no text is taken at face value. Patriarchal interests
in the text should be analysed. Creation narrative
Genesis 2, feminist say there is interest of
patriarchal that’s why they used the word helper.
Another example 1 Cor 7. Feminist scholars say.
• Secondly, hermeneutics of remembrance, which
means remember the stories of women. Obscured
by male christian historical concentration. Out
come can empower women. And can reconstruct
the male domination.
• Thirdly, hermeneutics of proclamations they argue
that every scriptural text must be analysed
theologically for it liberative and oppressive
protection. Then we have to proclaim that
liberative and oppressive text. Gal 3:28, Gen
1:27-28 and stories of Miriam and Deborah should
be assessed.
• Finally, hermeneutics of creative actualisation.
How do we preach the story of women for the
liberation of entire society.
Another method is hermeneutics of Retrieval by Knok
parila argues that
• history conceal the stories of women
• Those silenced stories of women must be retrieved.
• This hermeneutics attempts to make the stories of
women into the history.
06/12/18
Rereading with new eyes.
• Evangeline Anderson Rajkumar, she says that
rereading does not mean of repeating. Reading the
text with gender sensitive lance. The silences of
women get voice or heard, rereading will help
women to speak subject.
• Chung Hyun Kyung, the text will become
meaningful to women when it is touches the heart,
the heart which is wounded by patriarchal
domination.
07/12/18
• Mary’s magnificent is the text of hope. This
particular text gives hope that God can reveal and
visit women as well. This text gives them hope of
elevating women of receiving God’s revelation.
Story of syro-Phoenician women racially despised
the women. The demand of Zelophelas daughter is
demand of tribal and adivasi women. Num 27:1-8.
Story of shiprals and puah exodus 1:15. Protect
their own children and family from the violence.
• “Text of terror”, according to Philip Trible, text is
Terrorise women in the Bible. For her these
women’s life is to protect the honour dignity,
community, of male member and family. Gen
16:1-16, story of haggar. She was innocent victim
of abused and rejection. She was abused by female
of family and rejected by her husband. Haggar was
is symbol of black or lower caste used by white
man. Surrogate mother, divorced mother with the
child. She was thrown into desert, homeless and at
the same time she is first women whom God has
revealed. Judges 19:1-13, was an object and hands
of levites. This passage tells that two women were
offered to protect the man. Her body was used
inside communal feeling among the israel. Judges
10-11, story of Jephtha’s daughter. These stories
make women terror.

08/01/19
Hermeneutics of retrial
• It attempts to discern the critic of patriarchy with in
the text. Example story of woman who caught in
adultery.
• It seeks to expose cultural impulses of patriarchy.
• It also expose overlook the text of positive side of
women, contributions of women. Pricilla, phoebe.
Gal 3:28, 1 cor 11:2-6. These text are talking
equality of women.
Inclusive language
• For feminist scholars inclusive language means
non gender bared language.
• Theological language must be inclusive language.
• Anne Mc Crew, she argues that the use of Elohim
in creation story and other places in the Bible,
Elohim is embodiment of male and female
characteristics. Elohim is inclusive language.
Elohim can’t be defined in terms of one gender.
• Letty M Russel, the plural Elohim reflects a notion
of God as combining all the characteristics of the
male and female Gods in the Canaanite pantheon
which Yahweh now transcends yet embraces'.
Theological language must be inclusive, literary
must me inclusive, interpretation must be inclusive.
10/01/19
Unit 5- Feminist subjectivity and theory
Celebration of human sexuality
• Sex: the fact of being male/female/transgender
• Sexuality : sexual behaviour, capacity of sexual
feelings, sexual preference and identity.
•
What is human sexuality
• Expression of sexual feelings between human
beings. Particularly between man woman.
• Feminist scholars they locate sexuality in body.
• Their views. For Hindus sexuality is in marriage
for purpose of procreation and pleasure. For them
sexual relationship is between married couple.
• For Muslim sexuality is gift from God and strictly
restricted in marriage. Procreation is the purpose.
• For Christians, sexuality is procreation it must
done between married couples.
• Feminist scholars argue that Women sexuality is
controlled, regulated by religious culture, social
systems. Ex. If upper caste man engages sex with
lower caste woman, woman will be punished. If an
upper caste woman engages with lower caste man
she will be ex-communicated.
• Child marriage, main purpose of child marriage is
controlled sexuality in woman. Ketkan argues that
according to Brahmin, a pure Brahmin woman
should not think about man who is not going to be
her husband. If she thinks she will loose her
virginity.
• They are that women- considered impure because
of the process related to their sexuality because of
child birth, menstruation. Therefore, these women
are band from religious and social practices.
• Fourthly, Women are victims of purity pollution
concepts.
11/01/19
• Rose Mary Redford Reuther, she argues that one
nature human anthropology which emphasis man
sexuality of man as norm for human nature. She
argues that we need two nature human
anthropology which respects the sexuality of both
the nature’s. No norm but respect difference in
sexuality, no impurity as well.
• Stanley Grez, he argues that differences in
sexuality is reminds us about our incompleteness.
Human sexuality embraced differences.
• Elizabeth Johnson, she argues that sexual
difference is not deficiency but beauty of human
sexuality. Which means human sexuality embraces
both sexuality.
Conclusion
• No sexuality carries impurity.
• No sexuality to be controlled on the basis of
gender.
• Sexuality of gender has to be celebrated.
15/01/19
Unit 7 feminist re-imagination of God and feminist
engagement with Mary.
• According to Mary Daly, in 1970’s if God is male,
then the male is God. Based on her statement
feminist scholars argue that, the notion of divine
father wood basically contributes the idea of male
domination. Therefore, they want reconstruct the
idea of God. They argue that masculinisation of
trinity basically removes God from life of women.
Secondly, person of women can’t be affirm in the
masculine of trinity.
• Carol P Christ argue that God the father as only
parent cannot affirm the woman wood.
• They argue that firstly, We need to replace
masculine God language with feminine God
language. Secondly, use metaphors which are
beyond gender. Third option is re imagining God
as in the light of woman sexuality.
• According to Carter Heyward, it doesn’t make
sense to understand God has being beyond
sexuality and gender. But rather with our gender
and erotic particularities. Fourth option is human is
starting point of our re imagination of God.
• For re imagination most of the scholars refer that
Genesis 1:27, they argue that if this passage is
divine why not God can be woman. Hosea 11:3-4,
8, God is mother. Deuteronomy 32:11-12, God is
as eagle. Isaiah 66:13, comforting mother, 42:14,
woman in labour, Mathew 23:37, 13:34 as hen, all
15:8-10,
17/01/19
• Natalie K Watson Argues that Julie of Norwich
articulated that God can both male and female.
Anselm of canlie, Syriac liturgical tradition Holy
Spirit is female.
Attempts of feminist scholars for re imagining God.
• Padma Gallup, Arthanareshwara is a positive
model for articulating the image of God.
• Aruna Gnanadason, she interprets God as Shakti.
Shakti is a creative principle and Shakti is feminine
principle. Everything is sustained by Shakti.
• According to Elizabeth Dominguez, to be in the
image of God means to be in community, it is not
simply a man or woman who can reflect God but it
is a community in relation.
• Sallie Mc Fague, she questions, must trinity be
perceived as all male divine club? And she says
trinity can be interpreted as Mother, lover and a
friend. God as mother doesn’t mean that, God is
mother (father) we imagine God as both mother
and father… We speak of this love, the creative
love of God in the language that is familiar and
dear to us, the language of mothers and fathers who
give us life, from who’s bodies we come…
• Elizabeth Johnson argues that trinity is not
hierarchy but mutuality, teaches us mutuality,
equality, community in diversity. This trinity
respects the echo values feminist theology.
• New life theological journal(54-62), Eyingbeni
Humtsoe- Nienu, “De-masculinizens God: Reading
meaning of God in new life theology. Chakhesang,
‘ukumunupu’ she who gives birth. In Angama
tribe, Kepenuopfu, they say God is as universal
mother. In Mao Naga, God is our mother who gave
birth and care taker. Zeme, they gave two terms for
God such a as Tingrang pus and Mizetei
kemme,one who gives birth, and the mother of
universe, later it changed to Tingwang, king of
universe. Mizo, had khuanu, mother of universe
now pathian holy father.
22/01/19
Engagement with Mary
• Catholic introduced Mariaolgy, feminist scholars
reject Marialogy which is patriarchal introduction
for women subordinate. Chung Hyun Kyung argue
that struggle to be sun. She argues that Protestant
churches successfully eliminated Mary from their
theologies. She says that Catholic Churches
domisteged mary, projected or interpreted mary as
passive or obedient women, with whom no
ordinary woman can be identified. This
domestication seen as Mary daughter of father,
mother of Jesus and spouse of Holy Spirit.
• Mary has virgin self define woman. Marianne
Katappo, says Mary’s virginity shows she is
liberated woman not submissive to any man. She is
not a woman who obstacle from sexual inter course
but a woman who does not lead life of wife or
mother. Mary’s virginity is symbol of autonomous.
• Park Stonz Kyung says that in the process of
pregnancy human male is excluded. She says Mary
had ability to consciously avoided but she
accepted. She says that Mary’s pregnancy is end of
the patriarchal order. Salvation process can is
possible even without man. She continues Mary’s
pregnancy is an active symbol of resistance against
patriarchal order. As a Virgin Mary was full human
being. And in her virginity Mary defined herself.
Model of full liberated woman.
24/01/19
Mary has mother giver of life God and new humanity .
• Mary decided to be mother out of traditional
wedlock. And facilitate God to be born as human
being through her womb.
• Mary new the consequences, social boycott, stone
to death, chose to be became mother of messiah.
Therefore, made possible salvation to entire
humanity.
• Mary suffered ostracised pregnancy, exile, her
son’s death.
As sister: A woman in solidarity with other woman.
• Mary visit to Elizabeth shows solidarity with other
woman. Elizabeth’s pregnancy was scandalise
pregnancy
Model of true discipleship
• Virgine febella, argues that disciple is one who
accepts and promotes the teaching of another
person and accepts the directions and suggestions,
therefore Mary is the first disciple of God. She
accepted the challenge of Holy Spirit, responded
with courage. Her discipleship of servanthood to
God not to patriarchy.
Mary as co-redeemer.
• Emily meeling Chang, Mary was co operator with
God to initiate human salvation. Mary became the
prototype and model for redemption for us. Mary
shows that how to cooperate with God in the
process of our own salvation.
• Loretto Eugenia mapa, Jesus can’t save this world
without Mary, because Jesus needs mother. Both
Jesus and Mary both work together for human
salvation.
29/01/19
Christological re-imaging Jesus:
Jesus suffering servant.
• Chung Kyung, Jesus as suffering servant enables
women to see image of suffering servant meaning
in their sufferings. She says, Jesus suffered for
others, we suffer for our families. As Jesus
suffering had salvific value in the same women
suffering have redemptive value.
Jesus as Lord
• Kyung argues that Jesus as the Lord not to control
or dominate others but one who liberates, protects
and provides dignity and honour to us.
• Feminist theology projects Jesus as liberator. For
Kyung Jesus as mother and woman. For her Jesus
as compassion is so deep that only mother can
provide such a compassion. Mother image is
appropriate image to articulate Jesus’s compassion.
Jesus as Christ’s Sophia
• Proverbs 8:22-31, role of wisdom from the time of
creation.
• Elizabeth Florenz argues that Jesus was prophet of
Sophia, and as word in the beginning represents
wisdom.
• Elizabeth Johnson argues that Jesus Christ is
personification of wisdom. Wisdom become logos.
Jesus as shaman
• Western feminist argue that Jesus as shaman,
according to shamanism, the priest who cast outs
negative power which exist in universe will
oppresses. Therefore, shaman is the one who cast
outs the evil power. Majority of woman are
shaman.
• Stella Balthazar, Jesus Christ is personification of
Shakthi.
Jesus as crucified Christa
• Christa is a feminine name which comes from
christo, Carter hey word argues that we women are
crucified Christa. Because we women are broken,
defound diffused by abused of the power.
Therefore, we are living Christa by abuse of
patriarchal power. Women as a crucified Christa
identifies with the pain and sufferings of Jesus on
the cross. As crucified Christa women are releaved
from believe that through being feminine and
therefore, being guilty of original sin, we deserve
to be battered and raped. Christa as embodied
energy liberate and transform.
01/02/19
Feminist Christological responses
• According to rose Mary, not the gender of Jesus
but the message of Jesus. Not the passive reception
of Jesus’s message but embody the path of
liberation. If we actualise message of Jesus Christ,
women will lead the salvation in this world.
Therefore she says that Jesus is a prototype of
liberated humanity. There must be shift from
individualistic of understanding of salvation to
christology that will challenge the oppressive
structure in the society. Male saviour is not a
divine construct but human construct.
• Lisha Ishahood, she has done survey on ‘Filipino’
for Filipino women Jesus as male or female is not a
problem.
• Vargina Fabella, she argue that in Jesus the
authentic humanity/divinity was manifested not
gender. Why because his work and words reflects
authentic humanity. I
• Monica Melanthton, she argues that the problem of
maleness and the identification of Jesus is part of
historical Jesus. And it is not essential ingredient of
risen Christ. The risen Christ beyond all
particularities. Jesus Christ acted against male
culture.
• Mary Daly, she argues that we women look
foreword second coming, second coming of Jesus
Christ didn’t be Jesus Christ but the emergence of
feminist presence, it will liberate you the memory
of Jesus as male Jesus. Sin and salvation are myths
that emerged from male arrogance.
• Mary Grey, she argues that the maleness of Jesus
Christ is not major stumbling block because it is
not major stumbling block. Because males ness has
no ontological significance in terms of Jesus ‘s
work. Salvation depends on the process which
Jesus has gone through not the biology.
07/02/19
Women and male theology (imp)
• Tertullian, his writings on dress of women. He
explains your are devil’s gateway. You’re the
forsaken of divine law. Your are persuaded him
(Adam), whom devil not able to approach.
• Augustine of Hippo, Women has created to be
man’s help. (2:18). Women created to procreation
of children. Women are appropriate symbol of
lesser intellectual function. Women had nature is
equal in mental capacity of rational intelligence but
she was made subjects to male by the virtue of sex
of her the body. Women can be image of God only
together with her husband. Eve is responsible for
first sin.
• Thomas Acquinas, female is misbegotten male as
the result of a defective conception. Both men and
women are granted were rational souls, women
rational souls weakened by being a feeble female
body. Due to female weakness conception and
birth are two unique help which she can give to her
husband. Even in the sex act husband’s role is
more noble activity and wife role is one of the
passive reception.
• Martin Luther, women should remind at home sit
and keep house bear and bring up children. If
women grows weary and at last dies from child
bearing it matters not let her die from child
bearing- she is there to do it.
• Karl Barth, Women belongs to man her only duty
is to helpmate to man. Man was not taken out of
women but women out of man because of this she
has to continue as helpmate. The supremacy of
man because of creation order. Supremacy is not a
question of value, dignity, honour but creation
order.
These all were influenced by socio cultural
philosophical factors of that time. And also, influence
of out look and perception towards women of that
time.
Books Pauline Chakkalakkal
joseph John, st. Augustine of hippo

08/02/19
Women and major religious traditions
• Hinduism: Manusmruthi 5:147-68, husband must
be worshipped as God.
• Home is area of work. In childhood a female must
be subjected to her father. After husband she must
subjected her husband, after death of her husband
she must be subjected to her son. No sacrifice, no
vow, no fast must be performed by both. If wife
obeys her husband she will be exalted in heaven.
• Manusmruti 2:
• Buddhism: Wendydogmer argues that Buddhism
offered women security, social security with
socially approved institutions for women. offered
liberation equally for both men and women but
monks are not equally treated. Entry of women into
monastic life will lead to downfall.
• Islam: Quran 7:19-23, both Adam and Eve are
equally responsible for sin. Both men and women
are equally before Allah. Quran considers Mary is
an ideal women 66:11-13.
• But practically women are not considered equal
with men. Women are not allowed to enter into
Mosque in some countries. Women should wear
veil. A Muslim Women should not speak to a man
publicly.
• Judaism: because of original sin ten courses have
come upon women.
1- Menstruation
2- Pregnancy
3- Child birth
4- Burden of bringing of children
5- Rule of husband
6- Aging
7- Joules of her husband .
8- Termination of child birth.
9- Stay at home
10- Head covering like mourner
11- Husband will bury you
• In Judaism women is not considered as witness.
• In orthodox pray, ‘Thou rest not made me women.
12/02/19
Feminist pneumatology
• Hebrew bible used for Holy Spirit used rual which
is feminine in gender. Gen 1:1-2, 2:7.
• Gergen Moltmann, argues that spirit is mother of
God’s children because the God’s children have
born with the work of the Holy Spirit.
• Mercy Rani, argues that Holy Spirit is Shakti. Holy
Spirit empowers Indian women to challenge the
life negating forces of patriarchy.
• This Shakti Know the life realities of women
because we both share same gender.
• Holy Spirit is spirit of wisdom.
• Theramma Prayinkalam, argues that every
dehumanising is against Holy Spirit. She argues
that Holy Spirit is spirit of renovation. Every voice
women raise against patriarchy is work of the Holy
Spirit.
• Shalini Mulakal, the power of the spirit enables
women to transcend the self pity.
• Aruna gnanaradha, Holy Spirit empowers to defile
royal orders.
14/02/19
Women’s spirituality
• Chung Hyus Kyung, “Struggles to be son again.”
Feminist spirituality argue that old notion of the
church that is institutional church.
• Traditional spirituality is individualistic.
• Traditional spirituality is otherworldly spirituality.
• Traditional spirituality limited to ones personal life.
• Samson Prabhakar, “reflections on spirituality”, in
his book he states that spirituality concerns the way
of meditations, contemplation, prayers, and
whatever we do in terms of our religiosity
influencing our conduct our behaviour, way of life,
view of life, manner of life, attitude to other people
and so on.
• P Arokyadass, he states that authentic spiritual life
is praxis of faith in social life. Also, he says Life is
guided by spirit.
Feminist spirituality
• FS is concrete and total ‘whole’ person, every
aspects of human. Body, spirit and soul. Therefore
their argument is that salvation is not partial.
• FS is Creative and flexible, spirituality can’t be
conceptualised. Should not put boundaries for
spirituality. Therefore, feminist scholars say that
we should discord any spirituality that keeps under
bond.
15/02/19
Feminist prophetic spirituality
• Prophetic Spirituality, prophetic in nature which
seeks for peace/justice for all.
Community oriented
• Spiritual is not individualistic, liberation is
individualistic but communitarian. every women
should experience liberation.
Pro-life spirituality
• Spirituality should affirm life to every woman

05/03/19
Critical observations on feminist theology.
• Francis Martin argues that basic root of FT is
rooted in liberal traditions of enlightenment which
promoted the independence of human for God.
Because FT questions creation order. FT faces
experiences over divine revelation.
• Why, arguing for Equal rights for women in the
church. FT challenges the revealed structures of the
church.
• Susannne Heine argues FT make their own
prejudices and negative experiences as the basis of
their critique of church. Feminist scholars seek for
justification from the past for their present idea.
She say this is methodicide. She say most of the
feminist theologians lack academic rigour and well
thought of methodology.
• Elina Vuola argues that FT articulation may not
give theoretical praxis. Theory will be derived
from the praxis.
• Mary Fulkerson argues two practical arguments.
Most of the feminist theological arguments are
exclusive in nature. Secondly, feminist scholarship
is not accessible to majority of women.
Final: FT raises questions not only about women
involvement and inclusion and points of view but
more generally about the way in which Christian
traditions has constructed and created sexual identities
for both men and women. It attempts to develop an
understanding of society in which men and women can
be who they are and be human together. Theology has
to be done by both male and female.