#451 Did God Really Make Men and Women Equal? - Deborah Savage
Sep 28, 2022
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Theologian Deborah Savage, currently teaching at Franciscan University in Steubenville, discusses the Catholic view on gender equality, highlighting the ancient origins of gender roles and the recent efforts to redefine the relationship between men and women. She delves into the Hebrew wording of Genesis 1 and 2 to uncover new insights into God's revelation of the meaning of womanhood and manhood, emphasizing the concept of equality and the unity between the two genders.
The Christian faith promotes the equality of men and women, rejecting the idea of male superiority.
The creation of woman in Genesis highlights the shared humanity and pre-existing unity with man, reinforcing equality.
Deep dives
Misconceptions about the Catholic faith and its view on men and women
There are accusations that the Catholic faith is misogynistic and promotes male superiority. However, the Christian faith is rooted in the idea that men and women are equal. The speaker, Dr. Deborah Savage, explains that there has never been a consensus on the meaning of manhood and womanhood within Christianity. She believes that now is the time for a deeper understanding of the nature of woman in relation to man, not to prove superiority, but to discover the right anthropological vision.
Interpretations of the Genesis creation story and the equality of men and women
The speaker discusses various interpretations of the creation of man and woman in the book of Genesis. She emphasizes that the creation of woman does not signify inferiority, but rather shows the equal standing of both men and women. The sacred author intended to reveal that woman emerges from a pre-existing unity with man, highlighting their shared humanity.
Challenging historical and philosophical misinterpretations
Dr. Savage acknowledges historical misinterpretations of men and women, including the ideas of Aristotle and Aquinas. She points out that their views, asserting the inferiority of women, have influenced Western thinking. However, she affirms that these interpretations are incorrect and reflects on the need to reevaluate the traditional understanding of gender roles.
Encouraging a nuanced understanding and the role of women
The speaker calls for a nuanced understanding of gender, recognizing both equality and difference between men and women. She emphasizes the essential role women play in society and family life, acknowledging that women should not be forced to sacrifice their natural gifts for professional success. Dr. Savage encourages women to embrace their unique mission and the importance of their voices in shaping a more comprehensive understanding of men and women.
Theologian Deborah Savage, currently teaching at Franciscan University in Steubenville, delves into the Hebrew wording of Genesis 1 and 2 to uncover new and liberating insights into God’s revelation of the meaning of womanhood and manhood.
Cy Kellett:
Hello and welcome to Focus, the Catholic Answers podcast, for living, understanding, and defending your Catholic faith. There’s some accusation against the Catholic faith actually, that perhaps it has strains of misogyny in it, maybe strains of a kind of old way of thinking about men and women that makes men the superiors of women, o…
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