FEMINIST THEOLOGIES Altering the Theological Landscape

“There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave and free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus” (Gal 3:28; LG 32) is one of the core dictums of Christianity on human dignity and equality. It has not been an easy path for Christianity to actualize the radical equality preached in the early centuries. Feminist theology endeavours to play a part in the midwifery of a theology that promotes gender justice, equality, and liberation on behalf of the Church, even if it must critically evaluate the Church itself. “Women’s experiences” is the starting point of feminist theological inquiries. Women’s perspectives become key to critically examining traditions, scriptures, and religious and social practices. Feminist theology is suspicious of any theology, which claims to be universal and timeless because it recognizes the role of history and patriarchal social structures in shaping theological thoughts. It is founded on the Church’s understanding that discrimination based on sex is contrary to God’s design (GS 29) and, more so, that all human persons are being created equal in God’s image (Gen 1:27).