Atonement and Feminism

Abstract

"Feminists in theology journey together from very diverse philosophical, theological and ecclesiastical cultures. What unites them en route is the conviction that there must be an alternative to the patriarchal language of dominance and subordination which has shaped and negated the lives of women throughout history. In particular, the theology of the Church must not be used to maintain structural barriers of gender, race and class which triply oppress the poorest and most racially disadvantaged of our world. Yet in the pursuit of an alterna.tive the travellers become more scattered, pitching their tents at very different stopping places. For some feminists the redemptive vision may be actualised through our living more effectively as the body of Christ. It can be realized as we work to reclaim the image of God in our male-female humanity, allowing the effects of Christ's death and resurrection to shape our relationships, and recovering the depths of biblical meaning in our articulation of the faith. For others this might involve the deconstruction of much exegesis hitherto accepted as the norm. A radical rereading of the New Testament will draw those involved into greater inclusiveness and empowerment and enable Christians to see the effectiveness of Christ's atoning work in areas not previously envisaged. Women in particular will no longer be excluded by texts which deny their full participation in the good news of the kingdom, but both Scripture and history can be reclaimed"