February 4, 2009

CHICAGO – Lutheran feminist theologians have been writing and working in Lutheran and non-Lutheran institutions for a long time, according to Dr. Mary Streufert. But feminist theology is not a conversation topic that happens often between church and academy despite decades of formal and informal work in the field, she said.

Streufert serves as director of the Justice for Women program, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Church in Society. Justice for women is a strategic priority for the denomination, and its purpose is to eradicate sexism in the church and promote gender justice in society.

Conversation about feminist theology "happens in some seminaries, and it happens in some ELCA colleges and universities. Open dialogue between church and academy on feminist theologies is pretty radical," Streufert said, adding that there are a number of ELCA clergy and leaders who identify as feminists.

For the first time in its 21-year history, the ELCA hosted a forum to explore Lutheran theology from the perspectives of Asian, black, Latina and white women. About 160 women and men pastors, college and seminary students, professors, lay people and others attended "Transformative Lutheran Theologies Conference: Feminist, Womanist and Mujerista Perspectives" here Jan. 23-25.

"Women from different cultural and ethnic contexts breathe new insight into Lutheran theology today," said Streufert. The conference was dedicated to presenting, discussing and developing feminist, womanist and mujerista perspectives in contemporary North American Lutheran thought, she said. A series of papers was presented on four theological topics: ethics, theological anthropology, Christology and theology of the Trinity.

"We've acknowledged that, from a feminist, womanist or mujerista perspective, there are serious questions to wrestle with in the theological tradition, whether Lutheran or, more broadly, Christian," Streufert said. "What might women theologians contribute constructively about that for the sake of the church? What is life-giving from these perspectives that can help transform the world for the sake of the gospel?"

"This is the kind of event that I have been dying to do in Canada," said Catherine Pate, program editor, Evangelical Lutheran Women, Winnipeg, Manitoba. "To be a church on the side of justice, then the church must name and unmask the truth about its own culpability in oppression."

The Rev. Elizabeth A. Musselman, associate pastor for campus ministry, Augustana Lutheran Church of Hyde Park, Chicago, said the talks inspired her.

"I would talk to my college students about some of the very concrete things we learned about white privilege and economic injustice," Musselman said.

Tim Feiertag, a student at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (PLTS), Berkeley, Calif., called the conference a "powerful experience. There was a sense of community among people who are working to connect the reality of their lives with our faith tradition. I'm excited for the dialogue to continue, especially among our congregations, as we continue to grow in our understanding of who God is and who we are." PLTS is one of eight ELCA seminaries.

The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop, said the conference occurs "at a crossroad" in the church. "We can retreat in fear and isolation to the church we once were, or we can move boldly to the church God wants us to become," he said.

Hanson invited participants to think of the event not only as an opportunity for inspiration, but to think strategically how the church can "confront the scandalous realities" of sexism, racism and other systems of oppression, and live out its commitment to becoming an anti-racist, anti-sexist church.

The ELCA Churchwide Assembly – the church's largest legislative body – will consider calling for a social statement on justice for women Aug. 17-23 in Minneapolis. Social statements provide theological and ethical frameworks for discussion, discernment and decision-making, set policy for the church, and guide the church's advocacy and work in church and society.

Information about the ELCA Justice for Women program is at http://www.ELCA.org/justiceforwomen/, on the ELCA Web site.

ELCA News Service