(De)Constructing Gender Politics in Contemporary Christian Discourse

For many religious groups today, issues of gender identity, gender equality, gender roles, sexuality, sexual ethics, abortion, and equal marriage are the subject of much debate. Roman Catholic and evangelical groups - traditionally theologically opposed - share certain perspectives on social values and moral beliefs. Cooperation between these groups on political issues is well-attested in various societal contexts around the world concerning, for example, feminism, abortion, homosexuality, and "gender" politics. Groups are challenged to renegotiate values and norms, an undertaking which entails potential for conflict. Ideological and religious debates no longer necessarily run along confessional or denominational lines, rather are reflected in processes of negotiation of values. This collection of case studies on issues of gender and sexuality in Christian groups includes critical reflections on both the Roman Catholic gender discourse and non- and inter-denominational groups, movements, publications, and personalities.

Dr. theol. Benedikt Bauer hat Ev. Theologie und Religionswissenschaft an der Ruhr-Universität Bochum studiert und im Fach Kirchengeschichte promoviert. Er ist Vorsitzender des Arbeitskreises Gender und Religion (AKGR) der Deutschen Vereinigung für Religionswissenschaft (DVRW).

Prof. Dr. Irmtraud Fischer lehrt am Institut für Alttestamentliche Bibelwissenschaft an der Katholisch-Theologischen Fakultät der Universität Graz.

DDr. Christian Feichtinger studierte katholische Religionspädagogik und Religionswissenschaft und ist Mitarbeiter an den Instituten für Religionspädagogik und Religionswissenschaft der Universität Graz.

Nicole M. Bauer is Assistant Professor for Religious Studies at the University of Graz, Austria. Her research interests include psychology/psychotherapy and religion, the transformation of religious identities, the economics of religion, and the use of social-scientific methods in research on religion.

J. Andrew Doole is Assistant Professor for New Testament at the University of Innsbruck, Austria. His research focuses on historical and exegetical issues concerning the gospels, Paul, and various other aspects of early Christianity.