On the Importance of Biblical Feminism in Today’s Cisheteropatriarchy
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Authors
Wheeler, Maizey
Issue Date
2024-04-04
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Abstract
For this presentation, I will be showcasing an academic paper that I wrote as my final project in my Religion, Gender, and Sexuality class, the goal of which was to examine the Christian Bible and emphasize the importance of interpreting its messages in a feminist framework. I believe that by challenging oppressive narratives, Christians can contribute to a transformation towards a community of faith that is wholly inclusive and reveres the worth of all of its followers. In this paper, I argue that the Bible’s messages about women are and have been influenced by a patriarchal and androcentric belief system that fails to recognize and validate female experiences and viewpoints. Utilizing a revisionist approach to biblical interpretation, especially the contributions of biblical scholars like Mary Daly, Elisabeth Shüssler Fiorenza, and Nyasha Junior, I urge my audience to reconsider their own interpretations, by centering the perspectives and lived experiences of women. In doing so, I critique the writings of Luke, John, and Paul, explaining how they’re contradictory to Jesus’ teachings. Additionally, I draw connections to the womanist movement and the queer community by highlighting how Black and queer communities are also impacted by patriarchal messages about the Bible, stressing the importance of acknowledging intersectionality, and exploring solutions to allow for marginalized groups to exist comfortably in traditional
Christian spaces. This topic is deeply personal to me as a Christian woman, and I believe that religion should be something that is
uplifting and empowering, and should leave nobody ignored. Centering those in society who are most marginalized was central to Jesus’ message, and I’m honored to be able to contribute to this conversation.