Toward a Feminist Mennonite Theo-Ethics of Embodiment and Sexuality
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Discipleship as Erotic Peacemaking: Toward a Feminist Mennonite Theo-ethics of Embodiment and Sexuality by Kimberly Lynn Penner A Thesis submitted to the Faculty of Emmanuel College and the Graduate Centre for Theological Studies of the Toronto School of Theology. In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Theology awarded by the University of St. Michael’s College. © Copyright by Kimberly Lynn Penner 2017 Discipleship as Erotic Peacemaking: Toward a Feminist Mennonite Theo-ethics of Embodiment and Sexuality Kimberly Lynn Penner Doctor of Philosophy in Theology University of St. Michael’s College 2017 Abstract While Mennonites are known for their peace stance, Mennonite pacifism and peace theology have tended not to address internal forms of violence within the community of faith and among people who identify as “Mennonite.” Two illustrations of this include the case of Mennonite theologian John Howard Yoder’s methodical perpetration of sexual violence against upwards of 100 women, specifically his theological justification of them as acts of “familial love” within the body of Christ, as well as Mennonite Church Canada and Mennonite Church USA’s discernment processes regarding the morality of same-sex marriage and the membership of lesbian, gay, bi- sexual, transgendered, and queer persons. In both of these examples sexual and gender based forms of violence within Mennonite institutions and understandings of Mennonite ecclesiology and reconciliation processes were overlooked and/or ignored. This thesis addresses such significant failures. It considers the potential of Mennonite peace theology and discipleship ethics for the construction of a feminist Mennonite theo-ethics of embodiment and sexuality – one that is committed to the well-being of the most vulnerable members of the community of faith (i.e. those with the least access to ecclesial and social power). ii To accomplish its purpose, this thesis explores key elements of Mennonite social and sexual ethics (i.e. method, sources, and norms) especially with feminist and womanist interlocutors. This Christian ethics addresses injustices such as homophobia, heterosexism and racism by critical analyses of social relations of power to promote women’s flourishing and the well-being of communities. This thesis concludes with upholding this key claim of a constructive feminist Mennonite theo-ethics of embodiment and sexuality: that discipleship is an opportunity for “erotic peacemaking.” Erotic peacemaking emerges from an embodied view of the incarnation as elaborated by a feminist Mennonite method for Christian ethics, elicits desire for embodied relationships of shared power, and cultivates each person’s positive power as a sexual being for the sake of discipleship in Jesus Christ. iii Table of Contents Abbreviations ............................................................................................................................................. vi Preface: John Howard Yoder’s Sexual Abuses and the Need for A Feminist Mennonite Theo- ethics of Embodiment and Sexuality .................................................................................................... vii Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 1 Chapter 1: Issues in Sources and Norms ............................................................................................... 15 Authoritative Sources for Mennonite Ethics ....................................................................... 16 Feminist Uses of Sources and Norms .................................................................................. 24 Case Study: Mennonite Church Canada “Being a Faithful Church” Process ............ 32 On Power ............................................................................................................................. 33 Normative Mennonite Views of Power ..................................................................... 35 John Howard Yoder’s Theology of the Principalities and Powers and its Critiques . 39 A Feminist Critical Theory and Theology of Power.................................................. 47 Conclusions ......................................................................................................................... 52 Chapter 2: Methodological Issues of Ecclesiology and Discipleship Ethics.................................... 54 Ecclesiology as Ethics ......................................................................................................... 55 Ecclesiology in the Work of Harry Huebner ............................................................. 56 Ecclesiology in the Work of John Howard Yoder ..................................................... 57 Ecclesiology as Sexual Ethics in the Work of Stanley Hauerwas ............................. 60 Critical Dialogue with Huebner........................................................................................... 61 Critical Dialogue with Yoder .............................................................................................. 62 Case Study: Matthew 18 and Yoder’s Abuses ........................................................... 69 Critical Dialogue with Hauerwas ........................................................................................ 74 Ecclesiology as Sexual Ethics in the Life of the Mennonite Church .................................. 79 Case Study: Eastern Mennonite University ............................................................... 79 Case Study: MC USA’s Ecclesial Discernment Process Regarding LGBTQ Inclusion .................................................................................................................................... 82 Case Study: Matthew 18 as “Loving Dialogue” in MC Canada and MC USA Statements and Processes Regarding Human Sexuality ............................................ 84 iv Conclusions ......................................................................................................................... 88 Chapter 3: The Normativity of Jesus for a Theo-Ethics of Embodiment and Sexuality ................ 90 Mennonite Discourses on Discipleship and Sexuality ........................................................ 90 Discipleship and Embodiment ............................................................................................. 95 Liberating Eros as a Theo-ethical Norm ............................................................................. 98 Critiques of Contemporary Mennonite Theological Anthropologies ................................ 102 Eros .......................................................................................................................... 104 Sin and Grace ........................................................................................................... 105 Social Discourse ....................................................................................................... 110 Conclusions ....................................................................................................................... 113 Chapter 4: Discipleship as Erotic Peacemaking: A Framework for Sexual Ethics ...................... 114 Sexuality: A Theological Issue for Discipleship ............................................................... 114 Public and Private .............................................................................................................. 119 Justice and Love ................................................................................................................ 120 Erotic Peacemaking ........................................................................................................... 124 Conclusions ....................................................................................................................... 127 Conclusion .............................................................................................................................................. 129 Bibliography .......................................................................................................................................... 132 v Abbreviations AMBS Associated/Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary BFC Being a Faithful Church CFLS Council of Faith, Life, and Strategy EMU Eastern Mennonite University GBS Goshen Biblical Seminary LGBTQ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer LMC Lindale Mennonite Church MC Mennonite Church MCC Mennonite Central Committee MCEC Mennonite Church Eastern Canada SNAP Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests VMC Virginia Mennonite Conference vi Preface: John Howard Yoder’s Sexual Abuses and the Need for a Feminist Mennonite Theo-ethics of Embodiment and Sexuality My commitment to develop a Christian sexual ethics in relation to both Mennonite theology and practices is fueled by the persistence of institutionalized sexism and other forms of harmful social relations within Mennonite Church Canada (MC Canada) and Mennonite Church USA (MC USA). Institutionalized sexism “aided and abetted sexual harassment”1 in the case of sexual violence and abuses perpetrated by renowned Mennonite Christian ethicist and theologian John Howard Yoder at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS) and is also apparent in my experience with professors who have failed to confront these realities that contradict the teachings of peace through nonviolence in the community