Sex, Gender, and Christian Ethics

Analyses sexuality, marriage, parenthood and family from a feminist Christian view.

Lisa Sowle Cahill (Author)

9780521578486, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 28 August 1996

348 pages
21.7 x 13.9 x 1.9 cm, 0.417 kg

'Cahill … brings the seemingly opposing perspectives of Christian and postmodern thought into a fruitful dialogue. The result is an original and important contribution to sexual ethics and the methodology of Christian ethics … All persons concerned about authentic gender equality, humane sexual relationships, and the welfare of the family are in Lisa Sowle Cahill's debt. Sex, Gender, and Christian Ethics demonstrates the significant contribution the Christian moral tradition can make to these vitally important questions. Cahill's careful scholarship, insightful treatment of the Christian tradition, and rich feminist consciousness guarantees her book a central place in such discussions.' Brian Linnane, Heythrop Journal

This book endorses feminist critiques of gender, yet upholds the insight of traditional Christianity that sex, commitment and parenthood are fulfilling human relations. Their unity is a positive ideal, though not an absolute norm. Women and men should enjoy equal personal respect and social power. In reply to feminist critics of oppressive gender and sex norms and to communitarian proponents of Christian morality, Cahill argues that effective intercultural criticism of injustice requires a modest defence of moral objectivity. She thus adopts a critical realism as its moral foundation, drawing on Aristotle and Aquinas. Moral judgment should be based on reasonable, practical, prudent and cross-culturally nuanced reflection on human experience. This is combined with a New Testament model of community, centred on solidarity, compassion and inclusion of the economically or socially marginalised.

1. Sex, gender and the problem of moral argument
2. Feminism and foundations
3. Particular experiences, shared goods
4. 'The body' - in context
An interlude and a proposal
5. Sex, gender and early Christianity
6. Sex, marriage and family in Christian tradition
7. The new birth technologies and public moral argument
Concluding reflections.

Subject Areas: Ethics & moral philosophy [HPQ]