Feministic Theological Approach to Spiritual Direction - Centered on Rosemary R. Ruether -

Abstract

This research has endeavored to demonstrate that feminist theological approaches can be a formative strategy for spiritual direction in the Christian context. The paper began with the problematic discrimination against women that has been systematically constructed and is currently experienced by Christian women. The prevalence of male language in the traditional hierarchic and patriarchic theological structures was identified as a critical impediment for female directees to affirm not only their self-identities, but also their spiritual experiences within the Christian frame. Feminist theological themes, ranging from divine images and Christology to human nature, shed light upon deconstructing and reconstructing the theological frameworks within Christian theology. So, this study attempted to demonstrate the ways in which the traditional Christian theological approaches reconstructed with feminist approaches could play a significant role in cultivating the spiritual experiences of female directees and enhancing their spiritual identity. The feminist theological approaches contain formative and constitutive components for renewing or authenticating spiritual direction for female directees.