The Reconstruction of The Feminine Image in Feminist Theology

• Main Authors: Min-Hui Tsai, 蔡明慧
• Other Authors: Ken-pa Chin
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2003
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/72546163424558341977

碩士 === 中原大學 === 宗教研究所 === 91 === Abstract During the 1960’s, following the revival of the second wave of the changing tide of feminist philosophy, Christian theology also confronted the feminist theology challenge. Due to the long oppressive era that women had endured, they, justifiably, questioned the cultural traditions, as well as previously unchallenged theological traditions. In the church, the awakening of female self-consciousness, started to challenge the strong the patriarch, which had long been implanted by the traditional church, by re-interpreting the scripture, by disclosing the hidden female voice, by re-reading the scripture in accordance with the aspect historical critique, or by discovering the female segment of the Heavenly Father. Thus, these efforts essentially based on the Bible, it did not totally disregard the Bible or overturned its authority, but purposefully opposed to making the Scripture dogmatic, using of so-called sanctified words, and authoritative teachings in order to consolidate a male-define interpretation, thereby, ignoring the harm and domination perpetuated towards the patriarchal history of women. Owing to this concept, my thesis is based on the context of Christian faith, and is aimed at examining old faulty images and attitudes expressed towards female Christians, under the twin aspects of biblical interpretation and patriarchal culture. However, it is obviously that the illustration of Eden Eve is the core problem. The wrongfully long held image of the first Biblical female has adversely influenced Christian theology towards gender, redemption, and towards the theological discourse and practice of Institution. In order to illustrate my point, in relation to the question in chapter three of my thesis has developed dialectic and reconstruction from the main verses in Chapter One to Three of the Genesis. My thesis also criticizes and reexamines the prejudiced expressed towards Eve that has been conveyed by patriarchal traditions, resulting in the image and status of women unfairly suffering within the Christian culture. Eventually through the recording of Jesus’ life and words, written by his disciples, we comprehend how Jesus revolutionized and overturned the female image under the patriarchal cultures. On the arrival of the Incarnation One, he erected the model of equality of men and women. However it has had a great meaning to feminist theology. Therefore, the coming of Christ, has become the authentic promise of faith, the truth will set you free (John 8:32b).