Why Feminist Missiology?

The terms "Feminist/ism" and "Missiology" have for so long been alienated from each other. One particular 'negative encounter' between the two could be seen in the alienating conversation between "[Christian] feminist theology" and "evangelism". On the one hand, feminist theology with its supposedly open and inclusive position regards evangelism, i.e. Christianization, as attacking the very nature of feminist vision of inclusive community by forcing Christian values on to other religious (faith) groups. On the other hand, mission theology, which has been developed
without giving much attention to women's experiences and perspectives, perceives feminist theology as being ignorant to the nature of Christianity as a missionary religion.
The two, thus, eliminate access to discuss issues that concern them both at the discursive and practical levels.

However, for the past 15 years there have been emerging interests by both 'parties' that could be seen, though still very limited, in the publications, discussions, workshops, that center on themes like "women and mission," "feminist perspective on religious pluralism," etc. Yet, there are still very few feminist theologians/women missiologists whose works are intentionally focusing on the development of a feminist missiology. Among others, I should mention the late Letty Russell, a pioneer in the feminist movement in and beyond the U.S., Aruna Gnanadason, an Indian theologian who has marked a distinctive presence and voice in the global ecumenical movement, Katja Heidimanns, a Roman Catholic theologian from Germany, and Frances Adeney, a Presbyterian theologian from the U.S. Worth noticed is Dana Robert, a mission historian from the U.S. whose works have contributed to the knowledge of the role of women in mission as well as of the women's theories of mission.

This blog is meant to contribute to this new development by constructively bridging the two disciplines. Issues such as inter-religious dialogue, local churches' experiences of religious plurality, women's contributions in and perspectives on mission and evangelism, contextual theologies, etc. are welcome.

I hope that through this blog I will be able to identify elements that are authentic as well as relevant for the development of a feminist missiology in an Indonesian/Asian context.