'Becoming All Things to All Persons': Gender, Human Identity, and Language; Towards Healing and Reconciliation as Mission. (April 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Uchem, Rose
• Is Part Of: Transformation. Volume 31:Number 2(2014:Apr.)
• Page Start: 99
• Page End: 115
• Publication Date: 2014-04
• Subjects: Gender -- healing -- human identity -- language -- reconciliation and mission; Christian ethics -- Periodicals; Church and social problems -- Periodicals; 261.105
• DOI: 10.1177/0265378813519727
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0265-3788

Abstract

'Becoming all things to all persons' is a key primal insight into the potential healing of the wound and the rift in the human family caused by long years of devaluation of one sex (the female) by the other (the male). In this light, this article examines the theological implications of male-dominant language and imagery for God and God's people in daily usage and community worship and its cumulative psychological effects on women. The main assumption in this article is that unconscious beliefs and symbols rule the human imagination far more than do words and conscious declarations. The over-riding question is: How can believers be motivated to embrace the Gospel call to the mission of reconciliation in the area of gender, human identity, and language so as to increase everyone's access to the unique healing power of Christ's resurrection?