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The Feminist Hermeneutics of Ruether and Fiorenza: With A Focus on Their Positions on The Norms

  • The Korean Journal of Chiristian Social Ethics
  • Abbr : 기사윤
  • 2012, (24), pp.247-271
  • Publisher : The Society Of Korean Christian Social Ethics
  • Research Area : Humanities > Christian Theology

Do Gon Jang 1

1동원대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this paper is to examine the position of feminist hermeneutics on traditions and trans-contextual norms. For this purpose, I compare and analyze the feminist hermeneutics theories of Rosemary Radford Ruether and Elisabeth Schussler Fiorenza, who are considered to be two of the most distinguished contemporary feminist theologians. Ruether professes the ‘prophetic principle’ as the most important norm for her feminist hermeneutics, while Fiorenza negates the existence of any value-neutral norm itself. Their positions on hermeneutic norms are different externally. In fact, the two scholars pointed out problems with each other’s theories when they debated. Nevertheless, I found important commonalities from their hermeneutics. The actual core of the prophetic principle, which Ruether advocates, turns out to be ‘women’s experience.’ In reality, Fiorenza also employs ‘women’s experience’ as the most essential and important ground for her hermeneutics. This shows that these two scholars seem to advocate different positions on hermeneutic norms theoretically, but in fact they hold the same position practically when they adopt the same norm of ‘women’s experience’ as the most important ground for their hermeneutics. Their feminist hermeneutics, which reject the existence of any trans-contextual norms, expose a problem when they adopt ‘women’s experience’as a nearly-absolute norm. Though, it should be noted that they hold reformational values which enlighten and support proper standings and roles for women in the church by breaking with patriarchal christian hermeneutic traditions and providing a new hermeneutic horizon.

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