‘Unhiding’ women : decolonising the mind of a female systematic theologian

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Authors

Van Wyk, Tanya

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AOSIS

Abstract

This article will consider the parameters of systematic theological-'knowledge' today by examining the contribution of women's theology to the field. This examination takes place in the context of debates about knowledge-construction within institutes of higher learning, and context of increased numbers of women theology students, as well as international emphasis on achieving gender equality, such as the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. With regard to curriculums of systematic theology, it is noted that a proverbial 'canon within a canon' exists with regard to including a diversity of voices in prescribed study material, specifically the contributions of women's perspectives and women's history as subject-content. This 'data-gap' is problematic with regard to epistemology and hermeneutics, which are instrumental in constructing a grammar of faith - that is, 'church doctrine' (which is traditionally the main component of systematic theology). This implies that a type of decolonisation, or unlearning is necessary. If a next generation of women systematic theologians are to be nurtured, approaches to teaching systematic theology and the methodology of systematic theology itself requires deconstruction. CONTRIBUTION : This research aims to contribute to the fields of systematic theology, women's studies, women's theology and gender studies. It will also contribute to the fields of postcolonial epistemology and hermeneutics, as well as the study of the methodology of systematic theology.

Description

DESCRIPTION : This research is part of the research project, Gender, Religion and Sustainable Development, directed by Prof. Tanya van Wyk , Department of Systematic and Historical Theology, Faculty of Theology and Religion, University of Pretoria.
NOTE : Special Collection: Wim Dreyer Dedication, sub-edited by Jaco Beyers (University of Pretoria, South Africa).
DATA AVAILABILITY : Data sharing is not applicable to this article as no new data were created or analysed in this study.

Keywords

Women, Theology, History, Curriculum, Systematic theology, Gender equality, Data, Doctrine, Education

Sustainable Development Goals

None

Citation

Van Wyk, T., 2023, ‘“Unhiding” women: Decolonising the mind of a female systematic theologian’, HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies 79(1), a8906. https://DOI.org/10.4102/hts.v79i1.8906.