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Feminist Critiques of Theological Method in a Postmodem Era

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Feminist Critiques of Theological Method in a Postmodem Era Attendhg to the Other: Feminist Critiques of Theological Method in a Postmodem Era Loraine Fay MacKemie Shepherd to the Faculty of Emmanuel College and the Theology Department of the Toronto School of Theology in partial fülfïlmeni of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Theology awarded by the University of St. Michael's College. Toronto. Ontario June 12,1998 Wopyright by Loraine MacKenzie Shepherâ, 1998 Acquisitions and Acquisitions et BiMbgraphi SeMces services bibliographiques 395 wemngton Street 395, nie wel(ingtori OtCawaON K1AW Ottawa ON KIA ON4 Canada Csnada The author has granted a non- L'auteur a accordé une licence non exclusive licence allowing the exchsive permettant à la National Library of Canada to Bibliothèque nationale du Canada de reproduce, loan, distriiute or sell reproduire, prêter, distribuer ou copies of this thesis in microfoxm, vendre des copies de cette thèse sous paper or electronic formats. la forme de microfïche/fiJm, de reproduction sur papier ou sur format électronique. The author retains ownership of the L'auteur conserve la propriété du copyright in this thesis. Neither the droit d'auteur qui protège cette thèse. thesis nor substantid extracts fiom it Ni la thèse ni des extraits substantiels may be printed or otherwise de celle-ci ne doivent être imprimés reproduced without the author's ou autrement reproduits sans son permission. autorisation. Attendhg to the Other: FemhUt Critiqua of Theoiogical Method in a Pwtmodern Era Submitted by Loraine Fay MacKenPe Shepherd, Interdisciplinary Studies in Systematic Theology and Feminist Theory, Department of Theology in partial fidfïhent of the requirements for the degree of ~octorof Philosophy awarded by the Universify of St Michael's Coilege Abstmct Contemporaiy theology has arriveci at a aitical moment Marginalized voices are king heeded more than ever before and are cding for a radical shift in theological methd The fiberal, modem paradigm which has 1argeIy governed theologïcal method in this century has tended to support the status quo at the expense of the margînalized, Characteristics of this paradigm which have been deemed problematic include the assumptions that impartial interpretations can be achieved through objective analysis, that accurate and complete representations of our own reality or that of othm can be made, and that a universal essence or truth lies beneath ai1 texts and theories. From the many alternative theological methods which address the inadequacy of this liberal, modem approach and attempt to include the full diversity of voices, I will consider four femlliist approaches: Elisabeîh Schüssler Fiorenza's critical modem, Mary McClintock Fuikerson's poststnichiral, Kwok Pui-lads postcolonial and Kathryn Tanner's postiiberal. My critical examination of each of these positions will unwver similarities and differences amongst them. 1will then suggest aspects of each of their theological methods which might contnaue to the development of a feminist theological mahod that more adequately addresses issues of diversity and marpinaiization within Protestant churches. In order to determine these elements, 1 wïll contrast their theological methods with the liberal, modem approach which The United Church of Canada has taken to address questions of unity ami& diversity and the inclusion of marginalized people. 1 will focus upon the theologicai methods used in particular sexuality documents of the United Church which deal with issues of gender and sexual orientation. My examination will consider the adequacy of the liberal, modem approach used in these documents, and explore the alternative possibilities presented by these four feminists. To conclude this thesis. 1 will sueelements of a feminist theological method that seriously consider the use of scripture and Christian tradition while addressing issues of rnarginaiization and divenity for Protestant churches in a postmodem era. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am deeply appreciative of the Graduate Student Assistantships hmEmmanuel College. as weli as the support fiom Emmanuel Coilege faculty and students. 1 am also deeply appreciative of the scholarships which 1 received fkom Emmanuel College. the Toronto School of Theology. the Division of Mission in Canada and Saskatchewan Conference of The United Church of Canada, and the Ontario Goveniment. My CO-directors.George Schner and Mary Ellen Sheehan, have offered valuable time. energy, extensive editoriai work, critical suggestions, wisdom and support for which I am very gratefu. My heartfelt gratitude also extends to my parents, Colleen and Roy Shepherd, for their loving support. and to many fiiends for their listening ears and prayers. Of these fnends I am particularly appreciative of Nan Hudson and Elizabeth MacDonald's emergency computer support. and the willingness of Cora Krommenhoek. Sue Jackson. Barbara Pdecmy. Marion Pope. and Catherine Rose to cnticaliy examine this thesis. Most importantly of all. I wish to acknowledge and give thanks for the untinng encouragement. daily support. constant love and decadent gifts of chocolate fiom rny beloved parnier. Nancy Pinnell. To love. chocolate and prayers! Table of Contents TABLEOFCONTENTS ................................................ v INTRODUCTION .................................................... PART ONE: FEMIMST THEOLOGICAL METHODS ...................... IO Chapter 1. Critieal Modern: Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza ............ Il Critique of Modernity and Liberdimi ......................... 13 Impartiality ....................................... 13 Positntism ......................................... 16 ïndividua~ismand the Logic ofldentity .................. 18 Theological Method ....................................... 21 Community and Diversiw ............................ 22 Authority and Revelution ............................. 30 Rhetorical Reading Strategies ......................... 42 Conclusion .............................................. 49 Chapter 2- Poststructural: Mary McClintock Fukerson .............. 52 Critique of Modemity and Liberalism ......................... 54 Represenfational FalZacy ............................. 54 Universalism ...................................... 57 Historical Appeals .................................. 59 Identity Politics and Individualism ..................... 61 Theological Method ....................................... 66 Cornmunity and Diversiîy ............................ 67 Aiifhori@ ......................................... 70 Cunonical Sysrem ................................... 79 Conclusion .............................................. 86 Chapter 3. POSfc01oniai: Kwok Rii-ian ............................ 90 Critique of Coloniaiism .................................... 93 Hkton'cal-Cn'tical Method ........................... 94 Identïty Politics .................................... 99 ThmlogidMethod ....................................... 101 Theologïcal Sources ................................. 102 Tmth adAuthority ................................. 105 Community rmd LXversity ............................ Il5 Dialogical Imagilzafilzafionand the Perfomance of the Taiking Book ................ 118 Conclusion .............................................. 125 Chapter 4. Postiiberak Kathyn Tanner ........................... 127 Critique of Modernity and Liberaiism ......................... 129 Decontextuakztion and Referentiality .................. 131 TotaIitanananism..................................... 135 TheologicalMethod ....................................... 138 Ruïes and Se..................................... 138 PluinSenseofSmptwe .............................. 148 Authority ........................................ 154 Communiiy. Dbersity and Solidarty .................... 159 Conclusion .............................................. 164 Chapter 5. Critical Cornparison of Feminist Theological Methods ..... 168 Responses to Modemity and Liberalism ....................... 168 Alternative Theologicai Methods ............................. 170 Historical Adequocy .................................. 171 Scriprural and Doctrinai Agency ....................... 178 Subjecthood and Community .......................... 181 Revehon and Author@ ............................. 187 Conclusion .............................................. 195 PART TWO: THEOLOGICAL METHOD IN THE UNITED CHURCH OFCANADA ..................................... 198 Chapter 6. Theologid Method and the Other withh Uded Charch SexualityDocpments ............................... 199 United Church Sexuality Documents .......................... 201 Toward a Christian Understanding of Sex. Love . Mmiage .. 202 In God f Imge... Mde ami Fernale: A Sh<dy on HiintanSexucllity ............................. 208 G@. Dilemma and Promise: A Report cmd Aflrmatiom on Human Sema& ............................. 212 Toward u Christian Understanding ofsexual Orientations. Lifesty tes und Ministry ......................... 216 Modem. Liberal Appmaches and the ûther ..................... 221 Chapter 7. Assessrnent of Theologicai Methods ..................... 233 Critique of Modem, Liberal Approaches ....................... 233 Scripture and Tradition .................................... 243 Community and Diversity .................................. 250 Authority and Revelation ................................... 254 Commun Christian Criteria ........................... 254 Historical and Contextual Adequncy .................... 259 Global. Pragmaric Criteria ..........................
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