5. Society: Gender and society

The relationship between religion and society, including issues such as how religions adapt when encountering different cultures; religious tolerance, respect and recognition and views of other religions and non-religious worldviews; religion, equality and discrimination; the political and social influence of religious institutions.

5.1 Content

• The effects of changing views of gender and gender roles on Christian thought and practice, including:
– Christian teaching on the roles of men and women in the family and society
– Christian responses to contemporary secular views about the roles of men and women in the
family and society

5.2 Knowledge

• Christian teaching on the roles of men and women in the family and society including reference to:
– Ephesians 5:22–33
– Mulieris Dignitatem 18–19

• the ways in which Christians have adapted and challenged changing attitudes to family and gender, including issues of:
– motherhood/parenthood
– different types of family

5.3 Issues as the basis of exam questions

Learners should have the opportunity to discuss issues related to Christian responses to changing views of gender and gender roles, including:
• whether or not official Christian teaching should resist current secular views of gender
• whether or not secular views of gender equality have undermined Christian gender roles
• whether or not motherhood is liberating or restricting
• whether or not the idea of family is entirely culturally determined

5.4 Suggested scholarly views, academic approaches and sources of wisdom and authority

Learners will be given credit for referring to any appropriate scholarly views, academic approaches and sources of wisdom and authority, however the following examples may prove useful:
• Tong, R. (2013) Feminist Thought, Routledge, Chapter 1
• McGrath, A. (2010 5th Edition) A Christian Theology, Wiley-Blackwell, pages 88–89, 336–337
• Messer, N. (2006) SCM Study Guide to Christian Ethics, SCM Press, Chapter 8.
• Ephesians 5:21–33