Unlocking women’s experience and discovering new theological categories

Abstract

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One of the most central issues in a feminist practical theology is that of the experience of women. This issue raises the questions of how this experience can be accessed and in what manner ways or methods can be found by means of which women’s experience can be adequately articulated. Without such articulation, reflection on women’s experience would not be possible. This article indicates the theological meaning of an adequate recollection and articulation of women’s experiences. It discusses the work of the North-American theologian, Nelle Morton whose method of hearing to speech has opened up a safe space for women in which to recall and recount their experiences. The article concludes that hearing to speech as a method for unlocking women’s experience can be useful to the feminist theological discussion. It also indicates how reflection on the specific experiences of women can contribute to theological insight and theories. Another version of this article was published in Meyer-Wilmes, H, Troch, L & Bons-Storm, R (eds) 1998, Feminist perspectives in Pastoral Theology, 47-71. Mainz: Grünewald, Leuven: Peeters (Yearbook of the European Society of Women in Theological Research 6.)