Feminist Biblical Interpretation Liberation Theology Studies Training

Objectives:
• Define feminist biblical interpretation and its key principles.
• Identify the historical context and emergence of feminist hermeneutics.
• Understand the role of patriarchy in shaping biblical texts and interpretations.
• Recognise the diversity within feminist approaches to scripture.

Topics:
• Introduction to feminist biblical criticism.
• Historical overview: from early feminist readings to contemporary scholarship.
• Key concepts: patriarchy, kyriarchy, and androcentrism.
• Major feminist hermeneutical strategies: retrieval, suspicion, and revision.
• Overview of influential feminist theologians (e.g., Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza, Phyllis Trible).
• The importance of context: African feminist perspectives.

Objectives:
• Apply the hermeneutical circle to feminist readings.
• Analyse biblical passages using a feminist lens.
• Evaluate the role of experience and community in interpretation.
• Distinguish between different feminist interpretive frameworks.

Topics:
• The hermeneutical circle: preunderstanding, encounter, and new understanding.
• Methods: historical-critical, literary, and socio-rhetorical analysis.
• Case study: Re-reading the story of Eve (Genesis 2-3).
• Womanist, mujerista, and postcolonial feminist approaches.
• The influence of social location on interpretation.
• Group exercise: Applying feminist methods to selected texts.

Objectives:
• Explain the historical and theological roots of liberation theology.
• Understand the preferential option for the poor.
• Analyse the relationship between praxis and theology.
• Identify key figures in Latin American and African liberation theology.

Topics:
• Historical emergence: Vatican II, Medellín Conference, and Gustavo Gutiérrez.
• Core tenets: orthopraxis, social analysis, and biblical reflection.
• The preferential option for the poor and marginalised.
• Key theologians: Leonardo Boff, Jon Sobrino, and Mercy Oduyoye.
• African liberation theology: context of colonialism and apartheid.
• Critique of traditional theology from a liberation perspective.

Objectives:
• Synthesise feminist and liberation approaches to scripture.
• Critically examine the concept of 'the poor' from a gender perspective.
• Explore how gender, race, class, and colonialism intersect in biblical interpretation.
• Assess the contributions of African women theologians.

Topics:
• Integrating gender analysis into liberation hermeneutics.
• Reading biblical texts with a double lens: gender and socio-economic context.
• Case study: The Canaanite woman (Matthew 15:21-28).
• Womanist theology: Alice Walker and Delores Williams.
• Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians.
• Intersectionality as a hermeneutical tool.

Objectives:
• Apply feminist-liberation hermeneutics to specific Old Testament narratives.
• Uncover hidden voices and alternative perspectives in the text.
• Analyse the portrayal of women in patriarchal contexts.
• Develop exegetical skills for liberative reading.

Topics:
• Re-reading the stories of Hagar, Tamar, and Ruth.
• The Song of Songs as a counter-narrative.
• Prophetic critique of social injustice and gender oppression.
• The role of women in Israelite religion.
• Group exegesis: selecting and analysing a narrative.
• Presentation of findings and discussion.

Objectives:
• Interpret New Testament passages from a feminist-liberation perspective.
• Examine the role of women in early Christian communities.
• Critique patriarchal structures in Pauline and pastoral epistles.
• Recover the liberative potential of gospel narratives.

Topics:
• Women in the Gospels: Mary Magdalene, the Samaritan woman, and the Syrophoenician woman.
• Paul's ambiguous legacy: Galatians 3:28 vs. household codes.
• The pastoral epistles and the silencing of women.
• Feminist readings of Revelation: the woman clothed with the sun.
• Early Christian women leaders: Phoebe, Priscilla, Junia.
• Workshop: rewriting a biblical passage from a liberative perspective.

Objectives:
• Apply feminist-liberation hermeneutics to contemporary South African issues.
• Analyse the role of the Bible in apartheid and post-apartheid contexts.
• Engage with African women's theologies and their social impact.
• Develop strategies for transformative Bible study in local communities.

Topics:
• The Bible and apartheid: texts of terror and texts of liberation.
• South African feminist theologians: Denise Ackermann, Christina Landman.
• HIV/AIDS, gender-based violence, and biblical interpretation.
• The role of the church in promoting gender justice.
• Case study: The Kairos Document and its feminist critique.
• Practical tools for contextual Bible study.

Objectives:
• Design sermons and Bible studies that integrate feminist-liberation principles.
• Use inclusive language and non-patriarchal imagery.
• Address controversial texts with sensitivity and critical insight.
• Foster dialogue and empowerment in teaching settings.

Topics:
• Principles of feminist preaching: embodiment, experience, and resistance.
• Crafting a liberating sermon: structure and content.
• Inclusive language and imagery for God.
• Teaching difficult texts: rape, violence, and submission.
• Workshop: Developing a sample sermon or Bible study.
• Peer feedback and revision.

Objectives:
• Synthesise learning across all days into a personal hermeneutical framework.
• Develop an action plan for applying feminist-liberation interpretation in ministry or community.
• Reflect on challenges and opportunities in the South African context.
• Commit to ongoing learning and praxis.

Topics:
• Recap of key themes and methodologies.
• Personal reflection: integrating head, heart, and hands.
• Creating an action plan: goals, resources, and support networks.
• Peer sharing and collaborative project ideas.
• Evaluation of the training and feedback.
• Closing ritual and commissioning.