Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Chicago, 1980. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 379-411) and index.

In the age of mass information, globalization, and peer-to-peer social networks, the traditional markers of identity and elective affinities, particularly those of religion and nationalism, are shifting in relation to contemporary trends. The field of Religious Studies has been influenced by a series of ‘post’s: postsecular, postmodern, postcolonial, and post 9/11. The rise of revolutionary religious movements internationally is a hallmark characteristic of the postsecular age. Participants in these movements are variously characterized as religious dissidents, militant secularists, neo-fascist nationalists, and terrorists. However, according to the dialogues within these communities, participants do not think of themselves in these terms. The dualizing labels of ‘religious’ and ‘secular’ do not lend meaning to these contemporary identities. This thesis addresses the question: How do traditional and contemporary theories in the field of Religious Studies evaluate contemporary religious nationalist movements, and how do their analyses compare to how members of the groups in question perceive themselves? To answer this question, this dissertation examines and contrasts four key case studies: the Native Faith Movement and Femen in Ukraine, and the Gezi Park protesters and the Gülen Movement in Turkey. By analyzing group activities through the fora of the curated digital presences of group leaders and members, this research investigates emerging elective affinities and markers of identity which transcend the religious/secular binary. Contemporary theory from the field of Critical Religion and feminist theology transcending the religious/secular binary will be applied to these case studies in order to gain a deeper understanding of the shifting relationships between religion, protest and the nation.

Notre thèse porte sur la violence masculine à l’égard des femmes dans les Églises en Haïti. Elle s’inscrit dans le champ disciplinaire de la théologie en dialogue interdisciplinaire avec des sciences humaines, particulièrement à l’intersection entre la sociologie, l’anthropologie, les sciences politiques, la philosophie, l’histoire, la psychologie les études sur les hommes (Men’s Studies) et les théologies féministes. Sa problématique tourne autour de quatre questions principales : la prévalence de la violence faite aux femmes en Haïti ; la violence en Église ; la résistance et la solidarité des femmes haïtiennes ; l’importance de l’engagement des hommes dans la lutte contre cette violence. Ces questions sont posées dans un contexte haïtien et, plus spécifiquement, dans les Églises chrétiennes en Haïti. La recherche a comme support méthodologique la praxéologie. Celle-ci nous permet d’observer et d’articuler, à partir d’une étude de terrain, les récits de personnes qui ont été impliquées dans des épisodes de la violence en Église en Haïti. Une telle recherche prétend stimuler le changement social et religieux chez les hommes cléricaux et laïcs à partir d’une prise de conscience qui les propulse à s’impliquer dans les sphères privées, mais surtout à s’engager dans la lutte politique contre la violence masculine envers les femmes. Notre thèse contribue à favoriser : 1) la transformation des comportements des hommes envers les femmes dans les Églises chrétiennes en Haïti ; 2) la prise de conscience des membres du clergé et des hommes laïcs en ce qui concerne le respect des droits des femmes, leur émancipation et leur libération ; 3) la solidarité masculine comme stratégie pour favoriser l’intégration des femmes dans les postes de responsabilité ; 4) l’implication des hommes dans la lutte contre la violence masculine envers les femmes. Finalement, la spécificité de cette recherche ne se limite pas seulement à explorer la violence des hommes envers les femmes dans les Églises chrétiennes, mais s’étend aussi à d’autres institutions de la société haïtienne. / Our thesis focuses on male violence against women in churches in Haiti. It is part of the disciplinary field of theology in interdisciplinary dialogue with human sciences, particularly at the intersection of sociology, anthropology, political science, philosophy, history, psychology, Men’s Studies and feminist theology. The problem revolves around four main issues: the prevalence of violence against women in Haiti; Church violence, the resistance and solidarity of Haitian women; the importance of the commitment of men in the fight against this violence. These questions are posed in a Haitian context and, more specifically, in the Christian churches in Haiti. The research has as methodological support the praxeology. This allows us to observe and articulate, from a field study, the stories of people who have been involved in episodes of church violence in Haiti. Such research seeks to stimulate social and religious change among clerics and lay people from an awareness that propels them to become involved in private spheres, but above all to engage in the political struggle against masculine violence towards women. Our thesis helps to promote: 1) the transformation of men's behavior towards women in Christian churches in Haiti; 2) the awareness of members of the clergy and secular men regarding respect for the rights of women, their emancipation and liberation; 3) masculine solidarity as a strategy to promote the integration of women in the positions of responsibility; 4) the involvement of men in the fight against male violence against women. Finally, the specificity of this research is not only limited to exploring the violence of men towards women in Christian churches, but also extends to other institutions of Haitian society.

In light of women’s marginal status in church governance and ministry through most of recorded history, feminist trinitarian ecclesiology is needed to transform the church’s institutional and spiritual life. While Vatican II provided the paradigm shift and promising anthropology essential for an egalitarian church, feminist ecclesiology prompts a radical transformation of its hierarchical and patriarchal structures and practices so that it may truly embody the Trinity. Trinitarian life provides practical and radical consequences for Christian life, and provides a model of church marked by relationships of equality, mutuality, unity and reciprocity. It also provides a strong ecclesiological argument for reform of the juridical Catholic nullity of marriage process, which may pave a pathway for the civilly remarried to receive the sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist.

This thesis looks into a current trend within the Christian community online, namely Christian YouTube channels. The thesis revolves around the channel Coffee and Bible Time, a channel run by three women, and asks two main researh questions: 1. Which theological arguments or values are expressed in Coffee and Bible Time regarding God, the Bible, and view of women, and how does the channel argue for these? and 2. What criticism can be aimed at the channel from a queer-feminist theological perspective? The theory and perspective used to research these questions is a queer-feminist theology, mainly inspired by theologians Linn Marie Tonstad and Susannah Cornwall. For this thesis, an analysis of ideas is used as the method for discovering the channel's views. Regarding the result, in sum, the channel has a high regard of the Bible as the highest authority in life, which impacts their view of God and of women. God is also the one with power in relation to human beings, while humans are viewed as sinful and weak. Women are usually talked about in relation to men, in future marital relationships.  Coffee and Bible Time is an interesting example of women who have authority online, and who are theologically serious. Their theological background is Evangelical Christianity, which usually has a conservative view regarding same-sex relationships. The queer-feminist theological critique looks at the channel's upholding of gender binaries, how the women talk (or do not talk) about same-sex relationships, alternative interpretations of the Bible, and the (sometimes harmful) power of sexuality.

No description available.

In this dissertation an attempt has been made to investigate the means by which God is at work in our world. The researcher has acted on the assumption that God rules in our world, but investigates the content of such a belief. The question whether God acts in our world from a basis of control, or from a motivation of shared interest is currently brought to the surface. Istrumental is the use of Critical Theory to investigate the above mentioned problem. With this instument oppressive perspectives (paternalistic views) are identified and unmasked as well as new perspectives (stewardship) implemented. Biblical stewardship seems to be a perspective on how God wants to use the local church to assist in his plan of salvation for those in need. Authority with others rather over others seems to be the stewardship strategy God wants us to participate in. / In hierdie verhandeling word ondersoek ingestel na die wyse waarop God in die wereld betrokke is (Missio Dei). Daar word uitgegaan van die veronderstelling dat God in die wereld regeer en wat hierdie navorsing poog om te verstaan hoe God in die wereld regeer. Die problematiek wat deurgaans in hierdie studie hanteer word, hou verband met die vraag of God vanuit 'n beheerstelsel (pantokratiese stelsel) in die wereld betrokke is en of sy werksaamhede eerder vanuit 'n bestuurstelsel (oikonomos) verstaan moet word. In 'n poging om bogenoemde probleem op te los word gebruik gemaak van die Kritiese Teorie. Met hierdie instrument word enersyds gepoog om onderdrukkende perspektiewe (soos God as Pantokrator) te weerle, wat onderdrukkende ideologie instand hou. Andersyds word die Kritiese Teorie as instrument gebruik om alternatiewe te ondersoek (soos God as bestuurder van ons heil) wat nuwe perspektiewe daar kan stel. Bybelse rentmeesterskap hou gevoglik daarmee verband dat God die mens/kerk medeverantwoordelik maak in bogenoemde bestuursproses ten einde God se Missio Dei deelnemend te bestuur. / Christian Spirituality, Church History & Missiology / M. Th. (Missiology)

This thesis attempts to compare the feminist principles of two American Christian women, Mary Baker Eddy (1821-1910) and Rosemary Radford Ruether (b. 1936-). Although separated by one hundred years, they are both considered to be Christian Feminists in the sense that they have both tried to extend women's voice into the male world of religion. Further they compliment each other in the struggle and opportunity they see for Women in the Church. Mary Baker Eddy, founder of Christian Science, was dedicated to "equality" of the sexes in her Church. . Despite Eddy's insistence on "equality", she was more interested in her Church as a healing institution rather than in a Church that was known for its Feminist principles. Rosemary Radford Ruether is a contemporary academic whose writings have become the standard texts for female theologians. She has written with outstanding scholarship on the androcentricism in the Christian Church. / Christian Spirituality, Church History & Missiology / M.Th. (Church History)

This dissertation describes a movement I am calling Radical Social Activism that flourished among Catholic women between the years 1920-1960. The Catholic women participating did not abandon their Church's teachings on women but worked within the androcentric Catholic Church to achieve some lasting results as Radical Social Activists. This Radical Social Activism worked in the lives of Dorothy Day, Maisie Ward, and Dorothy Dohen, three women who retained a firm attachment to the Catholic faith and who would not align themselves with the incipient feminism of the times, but who, nevertheless, strove for social change and justice without regard for political or social recognition. Their work was radical because they were not complacent with the status quo and worked to change it. Their work was social because they ignored Church politics and reached outside their individual egos. And their work was definitely action oriented in that they practiced their beliefs rather than simply preach them. Few Catholic women were involved with the early women's Suffragist movement; the overwhelming majority did not participate in mainstream feminism, in part due to their immigrant background. Women stepped out of the family setting and into active roles in a society that increasingly measured success in terms of economic well being. These role changes produced trade offs in terms of how the family was viewed and it de-emphasized society's spiritual well being. Some of the issues and solutions for women in modern society collided with moral and ethical teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. I have selected three such women who responded with Radical Social Activism, and participated in the American Catholic Church, however, they did not participate in the general feminism of the times. These women, Dorothy Day, Maisie Ward, and Dorothy Dohen, represented in their Radical Social Activism, a feminism of the spirit, as it were, while still remaining within the structure and Magisterium of the Church proper. As women moved into secular society, they made compromises concerning their duties and responsibilities to family. Issues of divorce, birth control, and abortion became popular remedies that helped limit family duties and responsibilities. However, the Catholic Church has always viewed these as problematical and theological challenges to Catholic teaching and has consistently refuted the expediency of these solutions on moral grounds. Yet, if the Church's view on women limits women as feminists have claimed, it did not stop Day, Dohen, and Ward from participating and changing the secular world around them, while still remaining loyal to the teachings of the Catholic Church. / Christian Spirituality, Church History & Missiology / D.Th. (Church History)

no abstract available / Practical Theology / M. Th. (Pastoral Therapy)