Christianity: Gender and sexuality — AQA A-Level Religious Studies Revision

    This topic explores the historical, social, and theological developments in Christian thinking regarding gender and sexuality, including the impact of Bibl

    Topic Synopsis

    This topic explores the historical, social, and theological developments in Christian thinking regarding gender and sexuality, including the impact of Biblical criticism, changing societal roles, and feminist theological perspectives.

    Key Concepts & Core Principles

    Exam Tips & Revision Strategies

    Examiner Marking Points

    Christianity: Gender and sexuality

    AQA
    A-Level

    This topic explores the historical, social, and theological developments in Christian thinking regarding gender and sexuality, including the impact of Biblical criticism, changing societal roles, and feminist theological perspectives.

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    Objectives
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    Exam Tips
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    Pitfalls
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    Key Terms
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    Mark Points

    Topic Overview

    This topic explores Christian teachings on gender and sexuality, focusing on the roles of men and women in the church and society, and Christian attitudes towards sexual ethics. It examines key biblical passages (e.g., Genesis 1–3, Galatians 3:28, 1 Timothy 2:11–15) and how different Christian denominations interpret them. Understanding this area is crucial for evaluating debates about gender equality, marriage, and LGBTQ+ inclusion within Christianity.

    The topic is part of the AQA A-Level Religious Studies 'Christianity' component, specifically under 'Ethics'. It connects to broader themes like the authority of scripture, the role of tradition, and the relationship between faith and culture. Students must analyse diverse perspectives (e.g., conservative vs. liberal, Catholic vs. Protestant) and apply ethical theories such as natural law and situation ethics.

    Mastering this content enables students to critically engage with contemporary issues like women bishops, same-sex marriage, and transgender rights. It also develops skills in evaluating theological arguments and understanding how Christianity adapts to modern societal changes.

    Key Concepts

    Core ideas you must understand for this topic

    • →Complementarianism: The belief that men and women have distinct, complementary roles in the church and family, often based on Genesis 2 and Ephesians 5.
    • →Egalitarianism: The view that men and women are equal in all aspects, including leadership, supported by Galatians 3:28 and the example of Jesus.
    • →Natural Law: A Catholic ethical framework that sees procreation as the primary purpose of sex, leading to opposition to contraception and same-sex relationships.
    • →Situation Ethics: A liberal Christian approach that prioritises love over rules, allowing for acceptance of same-sex relationships in committed, loving unions.
    • →Biblical Hermeneutics: Different methods of interpreting scripture (e.g., literal, contextual, allegorical) that lead to varying conclusions on gender and sexuality.

    What You Need to Demonstrate

    Key skills and knowledge for this topic

    • Impact of 19th-century Biblical criticism on challenging traditional readings of passages like 1 Timothy 2:8-15
    • Influence of changing gender roles in secular society and rights granted by secular governments
    • Debates surrounding female ordination in the Church of England (pre- and post-1994)
    • Comparison of Daphne Hampson and Rosemary Radford Ruether regarding the patriarchal nature of Christianity
    • Hampson's view that Christianity is irredeemably sexist
    • Ruether's ideas on the androgynous Christ and the female nature being more Christlike
    • Christian views on celibacy, marriage, homosexuality, and transgender issues

    Marking Points

    Key points examiners look for in your answers

    • Impact of 19th-century Biblical criticism on challenging traditional readings of passages like 1 Timothy 2:8-15
    • Influence of changing gender roles in secular society and rights granted by secular governments
    • Debates surrounding female ordination in the Church of England (pre- and post-1994)
    • Comparison of Daphne Hampson and Rosemary Radford Ruether regarding the patriarchal nature of Christianity
    • Hampson's view that Christianity is irredeemably sexist
    • Ruether's ideas on the androgynous Christ and the female nature being more Christlike
    • Christian views on celibacy, marriage, homosexuality, and transgender issues

    Examiner Tips

    Expert advice for maximising your marks

    • 💡Ensure you can clearly distinguish between the specific arguments of Daphne Hampson and Rosemary Radford Ruether.
    • 💡Be prepared to discuss how secular social changes have acted as a catalyst for theological development within the Church.
    • 💡Use precise terminology when discussing feminist approaches to Christology and Biblical interpretation.
    • 💡Use specific biblical references (e.g., Galatians 3:28, 1 Timothy 2:12) and explain how they are interpreted differently. This shows depth of knowledge and critical analysis.
    • 💡Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each view. For example, discuss how complementarianism can be seen as promoting harmony but also criticised for limiting women's roles.
    • 💡Link to ethical theories: For instance, explain why a conservative Christian might use natural law to oppose same-sex marriage, while a liberal might use situation ethics to support it.

    Common Mistakes

    Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

    • Misconception: 'The Bible clearly condemns all same-sex relationships.' Correction: Passages like Leviticus 18:22 and Romans 1:26–27 are debated; many scholars argue they refer to specific practices (e.g., temple prostitution) rather than loving, committed relationships.
    • Misconception: 'Christianity has always been patriarchal.' Correction: Early Christianity included women in leadership (e.g., Phoebe in Romans 16:1), and some traditions (e.g., Quakers) have long ordained women.
    • Misconception: 'All Christians agree on gender roles.' Correction: Views range from conservative complementarianism to liberal egalitarianism, with significant differences between denominations (e.g., Catholic vs. Anglican).

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions students ask about this topic

    Before You Start

    Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

    • •Basic understanding of Christian beliefs about God, Jesus, and salvation.
    • •Familiarity with key ethical theories (natural law, situation ethics, virtue ethics) as applied in AQA A-Level.
    • •Knowledge of different Christian denominations (Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox) and their approaches to authority.

    Likely Command Words

    How questions on this topic are typically asked

    Evaluate
    Analyse
    Discuss
    Compare

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