Love releases, harmonizes, and illumines life
Affirming persons requires granting them respect, and that includes respect for their autonomy, their relationality, and their well-being.[1]
In his book, Love is an Orientation: Elevating the Conversation with the Gay Community, Andrew Marin sought to build bridges between the LGBTQ community and fundamentalist Christians. Marin asked open-ended questions in order to start the dialog between the two groups. Each group has stereotyped the other; each needs to look at changing their presuppositions in order to renew their thinking. The goal is to love others the way that Jesus does.
In God, Sex, and Gender: An Introduction, Adrian Thatcher takes the conversation to a whole new level, providing guidelines to think theologically about sex, sexuality, sexual relationships, and gender roles. He hoped that his detailed, and often extremely graphic, material would make it possible for readers “to be intrigued and exhilarated by the strange yet lively material that makes up theologies of sexuality and gender.”[2]
If one is serious about having a conversation on the subject of gender, here is plenty of grist for her mill.
The material was certainly lively, but well-organized. Five main parts of the book were divided into self-contained chapters. Each chapter followed the same pattern allowing readers to experience solid footing in the framework. Well- thought out introductions and summaries reinforced the arguments and illustrations in each chapter. Something I really appreciated was the placement of the documentation at the end of each chapter. Besides enhancing the unity of each chapter the reader is struck with the amount of research that Thatcher did.
Thatcher presented so many topics that seminary students could easily take a whole semester on the issues. Though a degree in philosophy is not necessary for the discussion, it would certainly be helpful when discussing the definition of gender. Is gender a noun, an adjective, or a verb? Ontologically speaking is gender an essential characteristic or was it constructed by society?[3]
But, I can also envision small groups meeting and discussing each topic over coffee. Since the topics don’t build on each other, you can just pick one and go with it.
I’d like to go with the topic of gender as a key concept in the study of sexuality for the moment. Specifically, Thatcher’s discussion of “power” is of interest to anyone who is dealing with structures that ensure the power of one group over another. A justice ethic must address the use and misuse of power.
There are many ways to define or describe “power” but Thatcher gives three types of power as it shows up in relationships between men and women and between institutions and individuals.
- Causal Power – This brings about effects where those who are affected may not get to choose.
I think that sometimes this can include domineering power, but there are other examples. Many rules that we follow are ones that society has agreed to – paying taxes, doing the speed limit, and refraining from robbing banks. If one violates any of these she will find out who is in authority and has power. The intent of this power is legitimate order.
- Power Over – This is domination or subjugation. Domination often requires violence or the threat of violence to maintain itself.
A form of this power is Patriarchy. Patriarchy “is a term used in descriptions of the multiple structures, beliefs and practices which ensure that men exercise power over women.” (26)
The intent of this power is for one group to subjugate another because they think they have some sort of right to it. People have had the propensity to divide themselves up into groups ever since the Fall. Men think they are superior to women. The rich think they are superior to the poor. Whites think they are superior to blacks. Fundamentalists think they are superior to gays and lesbians. What is at the heart of this? I don’t know all the answers, but I can think of a way to begin to love each other as Jesus would have us love and respect each other as He did.
Why not think of each of us as a whole human being?
God created humans first. In some mysterious way “Adam” was male and female and reflected God’s image. God pulled “Adam” into two parts, male and female, and then said that they could become one flesh again. Should this blow our minds or should we not be surprised since we believe that Jesus is fully God and fully man in some mysterious way? God is One, but somehow is Three. Why not celebrate the beauty of our oneness and many-ness as it is reflected in creation?
And doesn’t this show that men and women are equal!
- Power With – Power is shared. Mutuality is prized. Each party is treated as an equal human being and they make decisions with negotiation and consensus.
I believe that this last type of power where there is willingness to reach agreements by the free choice of each party is based on the model of Christ who chose to give of Himself for our benefit. He is at one and the same time our Supreme Lord and the One Who washed Peter’s feet. In mutually shared power each person is an equal individual giving of themselves voluntarily.
In her book, Are Women Human?, Dorothy Sayers said, “What is repugnant to every human being is to be reckoned always as a member of a class and not as an individual person”.[5] We are human beings first, children of God first and gender second.
In conclusion, Thatcher has a helpful list of the norms of justice that follow from the opening quote in this review: do no unjust harm; free consent of partners; mutuality; equality; commitment; fruitfulness; and social justice. (87) Jesus brought abundant life for all. In doing justice we help to promote respect for others. It is time for the church to seriously rethink her position on gender with an attitude of love.
Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illumines it. — Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Strength to Love
[1] Adrian Thatcher. God, Sex, and Gender: An Introduction. United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell, 2011. 87.
[2] Ibid. xi.
[3] Ibid. 19,20.
[4] Ibid. 26
[5] Sayers, Dorothy L., Are Women Human? (Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, 1971) pgs. 28, 29.
About the Author
Mary Walker
7 responses to “Love releases, harmonizes, and illumines life”
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Mary, I’d love to hear that you robbed a bank. 🙂
“In mutually shared power each person is an equal individual giving of themselves voluntarily.” This is so so wise and important, Mary! Key to the gospel that Jesus modeled for us (as you mention). In our church’s covenant to each other, we seek to live this mutual submission to one another– “Recognizing we are the people of God, a tangible presence of Christ in this place, we commit ourselves to love God and one another by daily living out the reality of the kingdom in such ways as caring for one another, laying aside self-interest, giving and receiving admonition, giving and receiving counsel, and speaking truthfully with one another.”
Finally, Sayers’ title that you mention– Are Women Human?” reminds me of the Memphis sanitation workers’ strike MLK was involved in, when they carried signs declaring I AM A MAN. I, too, pray for the day we see one another not as a member of a class but an individual person.
Great post, Mary. I appreciate your discussion of power. I think the issue of power is greater or of more importance than the issue of money. Shared power is the highest standard, but unlike money, I sense that there is a limited amount of power available–if everyone had it, no one would–and few people are willing to share it when they have it and even fewer are willing to give it up. I so appreciate your analysis that the sharing and the giving up is a part of the life of the Christain. Your example of Christ washing Peter’s feet is that wonderful example for us all. Thanks, Mary!
Yes, Mary – I vote “power with” instead of “power over”. That concept has stayed with me and was reinforced in another article I was reading for my paper. I wonder how we can encourage churches and Christians to live in “power with” in relationship to one another? This is a major part of my work with my couples in therapy is to get them to be in power with each other. In my opinion, this is the hardest tasks of egalitarian couples. When you read about Jesus’ ministry, He was so much about being in power with those He ministered to and discipled. Thank you for your beautiful persuasive summary on power. I especially liked your closing line: “It is time for the church to seriously rethink her position on gender with an attitude of love.” I couldn’t agree more.
Mary,
Thanks for this post. As we discuss all of this controversial and important stuff, it is sometimes easy (especially for those of us that are straight, white, American males) to forget just how important ‘power’ is and the way that power effects the dynamics of all of these discussions.
Thanks for not letting us forget that!
I think, regardless of the ‘issue’ at hand, if more leaders sought to share power, we would be in a much better place.
Mary enjoyed your post! I love how you interweave authors into your posts. Yes to be a believer and Christ follower demands a life of mutuality, equality, justice and love! We as a church have to no longer avoid these discussions. We need to grow in our understanding of what it means to love others. Not just in what we say but in how we live in communion with one another.
Mary,
Thank you for your post. I didn’t get a chance to read about the Power in the book. Thank you for sharing that view.
“God pulled “Adam” into two parts, male and female, and then said that they could become one flesh again. Should this blow our minds or should we not be surprised since we believe that Jesus is fully God and fully man in some mysterious way?”
This is a BEAUTIFUL description, Mary! I love the mysticism you brought to this. Thank you for highlighting Thatcher’s discussion on power. During this time of #metoo, I have spent a lot of time thinking about power and how people who claim to protect often dominate instead and the harm that is done. Thatcher’s list of norms could go so far in helping us, as the church, establish love and mutuality as signs of our faith.