LUKE 7:36-50: SEE THIS WOMAN? TOWARD A THEOLOGY OF GENDER EQUALITY IN THE CONTEXT OF HIV AND AIDS
Abstract
The Aids pandemic presents challenges that are varied and complex, and thus it requires exploring unique and creative responses by all sectors of society, including the church. Skewed gender power-relations, and particularly the marginalization of women are understood (among the many exacerbating factors) to be contributing to the spread of the HI-virus. The perceived inferior nature of women has made them socially, economically and sexually more vulnerable to contracting the HI-virus. Women unfriendly readings of the Bible have contributed to attitudes and practices in church and society which affirmed patriarchy and the subjugation of women as “the natural order of things”.1 This article explores how a woman deemed “invisible” by the natural order of things, transcends oppressive attitudes and practices by claiming freedom and equality in public assembly. This re-reading of Luke 7:36-50 is an invitation to re-discover the transformative potential of a New Testament text in the light of past (and present) discrimination and the androcentric reading of Biblical texts that contribute to, and sustain the marginalization of women2 in the church and society.Downloads
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