Jesus and Maleness

I’m about 3 paragraphs into a feminist critique of praying in the name of Jesus and this is what I want to say:

Many churches have historically derived qualitative meaning from the maleness of Jesus and used their patriarchal interpretation to oppress women.  I can respect and appreciate the reality and memory of religion’s historical use of males and the priority of value given to stereotypes of maleness, but I have trouble seeing Jesus’ maleness as remotely relevant.  

In invoking Jesus’ name, do we invoke “masculine values” (whatever that means)?  I think not.  I think we invoke his ministry… a ministry about loving God and neighbor, purity but never legalism above good, concern for the poor and marginalized… nothing about gender.  In viewing Jesus’ maleness qualitatively, even in giving it thought, do we label gender norms?  Do we say: “this is maleness!” and therefore define gender and give it subjective meaning that may offend people of that gender (or not of it)?

 Should we do that?  

I think mention or valuing of Jesus as male is inherently projection of our own cultural values and norms onto a person and place different than our own and onto a ministry which had little to say about gender other than instances wherein he displays a counter-cultural perception of gender norms.  Therefore to project gender stereotypes onto Christ is a disservice to the spirit of his ministry.

So that’s what I think about that.