Introducing some secular and feminist theological insights of body into theological conversation

Abstract

Whether the conversation is casual or professional, words such as body, woman, and heart a repart and parcel of community conversation. However, the understanding of the meaning of a specific word such as body may prove to be elusive, vague or alternately take on a complexity often removed from ordinary conversation. Although the insights from Christian feminists have enriched the traditional theological understanding of the word body their insights are not always associated with the general use of the term. A richer understanding of the word results in recapturing the meaning of body, not only for women but also for society’s theological conversation and ‘body-talk’ as a whole.

Ongeag of die gesprek informeel of professioneel is, bly die woorde liggaam, vrou en hart deel van die gemeenskapsgesprek. Die begrip of betekenis van ’n bepaalde woord soos liggaam, kan ontwykend vaag of alternatiewelik ’n kompleksiteit aanneem wat van gewone gesprekvoering verwyderd is. Feministe het onder andere ook van sekere woorde, waaronder besitreg geneem en dit aan kritiese teologiese ondersoek onderwerp. Hulle insig verryk die tradisionele begrip van die woord – nie net vir vroue nie, maar vir gemeenskapsteologie in die geheel.