Corporate Theological Refelection

Corporate theological reflection is how different communities use reflection to construct their own identities. Graham, Walton and Ward suggest communities choose an aspect of their identity as a tool for theological reflection. By applying a feature of our identity to a question relevant to today’s society, we are able to establish a theological answer to the topic being analysed.

              ‘List the ways in which it would be better if women dominated social and political life.’

Therefore, when reflecting on this question theologically, it would be best to find an aspect of one’s own identity. Using being female as an aspect to addressing the question it is evident that throughout the past, it has been predominantly a patriarchal society.

As mentioned by Greaves women have received an historical legacy of discrimination and neglect. He then goes onto explain how:

               ‘Women have struggled with their Christianity and gender issues and come to the conclusion                 that the former is irrevocably permeated by patriarchal attitudes and structures, and therefore i              irredeemable.’

Greaves reflects upon how the church has allowed men to have a dominating position within the structure of the church system. Even looking at God as a theological theme, it is evident that women have been given a lesser position in society than men, which proves Greaves thesis to be an accurate interpretation:

              ‘Your desire will be for you husband, and he will rule over you.’ Genesis 3:16

This shows how it is Gods will that men should play the dominant position in the hierarchy. It is our duty, as women to respect our husbands, and ensure that their needs are met. Also we should remain at home and raise our children, whilst our husbands go out to work/ help rule over society and politics. Thus women should not be able to dominate society as they should be the domineering figure in the home; to ensure that the children are raised, as well as the husbands looked after.

Greaves shows how it was Eve’s temptation and disobedience to God’s command that leads to their expulsion from the Garden of Eden and the presence of God. His thesis is exemplified by Furlong:

              ‘... the most fundamental of Christian stereotypes is the stereotype of Eve- woman as incurable treacherous.’

Through the betrayal of the first woman (Eve) throughout history this disloyalty has laid in the minds of many men, it has only been since the 1960’s that feminist movements and women’s rights began to make a change. With more rights within society, women are now involved within politics and church roles. Yet, the question of whether or not society is equal still exists. If we are equal why is it that men are paid more for the same jobs as women? The answer to this is that although women have been given more rights, many still see women as the lesser gender.

Even within the arts, the song ‘It’s a Man’s World’ highlights that man has achieved a patriarchal society and yet ‘it wouldn’t be nothing without a woman or a girl.’ Reaffirming how important it is for both sexes to be involved within society.

An example of corporate theological reflection includes women as subject. It is for that reason that we reflect on women’s rights/ the history of women in society within communal groups in order to establish a clear understanding of theological reflection by including the theological themes mentioned in McGraths contents page.

Telling God's Story

Canonical narrative theology is the idea that our identity is shaped by the traditional Christian story of the incarnation, the passion and the resurrection. By referring to the bible, more specifically the gospels, we are able to shape our lives around that of the accounts of Jesus’ life.

Graham, Walton and Wards’ definition of canonical narrative is:

 ‘Narratives of Jesus’ words and actions are taken as the key to interpreting… the unfolding events of human history… a challenge facing Christians is to pattern their own lives in conformity with this great drama.’

Here the authors show how canonical theology, (the gospel accounts), can teach us about our past and show us our future. Through following living the path of life that Jesus took, Christians are able to construct their own identities.
 

St Francis of Assisi imitated the life of Jesus of Nazareth, through applying Jesus’ teachings to his own life. He created the Franciscan order and the Rule of St Francis, which demonstrates an example of a canonical account. By showing biblical references and translating them into rules for the order to follow:

 ‘Let them love one another, as the Lord says. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.’

This is one of St Francis rules and is taken from Luke 17:10 but translated into a more plausible rule that can be applied to today’s society. His rules are canonical as they establish a way of living for the monks in his order by turning the word of God (the bible) into a rule that shows how to live well.  

Barth (a colleague of Bonheoffer) believes the creation of separate communities is as a result of canonical theology. Evident in Bonheoffer’s work as he too questions: ‘What does it mean to be a Christian in a world without a religious faith?’ Barth attempts to answer this by explaining Christianity to be a faith that enables people to critically separate themselves from society. By doing this we can see an overall perspective of the civilization we live in and compare it to Christian doctrine that helps us to live justly. Barth concludes that by following Christianity it becomes possible to resist the social and political norms of the day. Using canonical narrative we can separate ourselves from societ and identify our true Christian identities.

Other theologians such as Hauverous talks of a community (church) that shapes the character/person we are, and how these traits drive our ethical behaviour. Painting a picture of a church that welcomes everyone, unlike the society in which we live. A major problem with his theory is the lack of the wonderful church he describes, as there are scarce if any churches who are not sexist/homophobic. Evident in the way that women are restricted in the roles they have in church. Nowadays some still disagree with women becoming vicars.

Thus, by discussing the thesis of each theologian it is apparent that ‘canonical narrative theology in its extreme form is ideals that are unattainable.’ This is as the world in which we live is completely different to the world in which Jesus of Nazareth lived; the two worlds are incompatible with one another.