Baptist Women in Ministry http://www.
bwim.info/index.php/welcome - see Resources
Carolyn Goodman Plampin http://home.netcom.com/~cplampin
Series-Subjects Relevant to an Informed Opinion about Christian Women in Ministry
INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE
First created in January, 1996, Revised January 10, 2007
Baptist Women in Ministry http://www.bwim.info/index.php/welcome
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e-mail: BWIM@hotmail.com
Questions, comments, or suggestions
of bibliography or sites to include may be sent to
Carolyn Goodman Plampin
Coordinator Subjects Relevant to an Informed Opinion
1220 Vienna Dr., #504
Sunnyvale, CA 94089-2007
(408) 734-5141
Master of Teaching, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Brazil, March 20, 1968
Master of Divinity, Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, June 2, 1978
Missionary to Brazil of the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, 1957-1988
Academic dean (without title) and professor, Instituto Biblico Batista, A.B. Deter and
Seminário Teológico Batista do Paraná, Curitiba, 1959-1979
Academic dean and professor, Seminário de Educacao Crista, Recife, 1980-1986
Christian women who understand how language affects our thoughts work to bring about a gender inclusive language and especially a gender inclusive Bible, in which gender specific words are translated correctly. Those who are against this idea call this gender neutral which would be as offensive to us as to them.
On the back cover of Nancy A. Hardesty's INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE IN THE CHURCH we read:
INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE IN THE CHURCH is a good introduction to questions about language use today. Issues in the current debate are addressed fairly. This is not a battle cry for the feminist movement but rather a solid introduction to the whole discussion. Hardesty hopes to convince us that inclusive language is appropriate in Christian theology and worship. Patrick D. Miller writes in the foreword. "For those who know that our language matters and has to change, she shows the way and is a realiable guide. The end results is a resource that many individuals and groups within the church will find a positive help on a difficult but necessary journey." She joins many others in calling into fundamental question the noninclusive, gender-oriented language of the church, its Scriptures, and its tradition. This is not a light matter or a passing fad. It has to do with the most basic matters of faith and with the very possibility of Christian community. Nancy Hardesty maintains that the use of inclusive language goes to the very heart of the gospel. Beginning with a theological rationale, INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE IN THE CHURCH examines biblical references to God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and human beings. From these Hardesty argues that God speaks through Scripture and shows how the metaphors for God and various descriptions of God speak to a variety of human needs. These inniumerable images of God -- male, female, animal, and even inanimate objects -- point the way to a new awareness of God-language. At this new level of awareness, God as "Father" only is severely limiting in our faith and theology. INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE IN THE CHURCH is a patient, deeply Christian, through explanation of the whys and hows of inclusive language. Dr. Hardesty uses such fresh and illuminating analogies that the vital importance of inclusiveness is not only seen, but felt.The Nazarene Theological Seminary has a statement about inclusive language.
Mollenkott, INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE IN THE CHURCH, back cover.
Language both reflects and shapes society. It shapes our self-understanding. ... In recent years, we have become aware of the damage done to women (and others) by language that depreciates them, excludes them, and freezes them in roles that deny to them recognition of their full dignity as persons. Sometimes these errors occur intentionally, sometimes unintentionally. Demeaning and oppressive symbols and values often become so much a part of our language that they function without our being aware of them, until those who are their targets point them out to us." (HANDBOOK FOR GENDER INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE, Nazarene Theological Seminary, Kansas City, Missouri.)
Bibliography on Inclusive Language
AN INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE LECTIONARY. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1983.
Hardesty, Nancy A. INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE IN THE CHURCH. Atlanta: John Knox Press, 1987.
Lakoff, Robin, LANGUAGE AND WOMAN'S PLACE. New York: Harper Colophon Books, Harper & Row, Publishers, 1975. Miller, Casey and Kate Swift. THE HANDBOOK OF NONSEXIST WRITING. Second Edition. New York: Harper & Row, Publishers, 1988.
Watkins, Keith. FAITHFUL AND FAIR: TRANSCENDING SEXIST LANGUAGE IN WORSHIP. Nashville: Abingdon, 1981.
WOMEN AND WORSHIP: A GUIDE TO NONSEXIST HYMNS, PRAYERS, AND LITURGIES. New York: Harper and Row, 1984.
Go to How to Bring about Change
