
handle: 10852/100927
In this paper, three dilemmas in liturgical gender-inclusive language are discussed: firstly, if there is any need for gender-inclusive language at all among Christian people; secondly, to what extent gender-inclusive language confirms or challenges binary gender categories; and, thirdly, how queer theory could be a useful tool to develop a non-binary theological language whilst also recognising the risks this might pose to making women invisible. The dilemmas are illuminated by examples from the discussion of gender-inclusive language in the (Lutheran) Church of Norway over a period of twenty years from a liturgy made for 8th March in 1993 to a comprehensive liturgical reform of the principal Sunday service in 2011. This led to a very moderate use of gendered metaphors, either male or female, in the liturgy. In the Church of Norway, it seems that inclusive language’s most important contribution to theological speech lies in the insights of metaphorical theology. God is neither a man, nor is She a woman, and the theological speech demands a broad variety in metaphors used for God.
230, 755
230, 755
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 0 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Average | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Average | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Average |
