Is Church Life Consistently Anti-Women?
We had an interesting discussion in the subject Triune God the other day. The topic was feminism and the Trinity, and we read Janet Martin Soskice, "Can a Feminist Call God Father'?" We worked the issue of androcentrism in Christian discourse, especially in the traditional language of the Trinity. We ran through the reasons why 'Father-Son' has remained so popular, as well as considering its future prospects. Some wondered if 'Father' would have to be dropped before women would find equality in discipleship within the church. It was pointed out that, whether that be true or not, correcting an androcentric bias in imagery for God will not guarantee the end of patriarchy. Consider the place of female divinities in other religions and the continuation of patriarchy in those religions. It was also pointed out that, although there is clearly a male bias in much of Christian ministry and life, it is not consistently so. Parish life has plenty of evidence of male dominance in some areas (often key areas) but the female majority of members in many parishes creates its own counter. Moreover, although androcentric language prevails in so many ways in our churches, the temper of much of church life is not…...
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