Bearing one’s cross: a critical analysis of Mary Grey’s view on atonement

Abstract

The aim of this research project was to seek a reinterpretation of the Christian motif of 'bearing one's cross'. This motif has been widely criticized by feminist theologians as an instrument that exacerbates the oppression of women, since it encourages self-sacrifice and in this way legitimizes abusive relationships. The research project focuses on Mary Grey's contribution to feminist discourse on atonement as the work of Christ and, more specifically, the symbol of the cross. In general, the problem, which will be addressed in this research project, is how oppressed women should respond to the call in Christian piety "to bear one's own cross". More specifically, the research problem, which will be investigated in this project, may be formulated in the following way: How should Mary Grey's position on a feminist reinterpretation of the doctrine of atonement and the meaning of the cross of Jesus Christ be assessed within the South African Christian context? The study assesses Mary Grey's views within the context of her own work, a feminist reinterpretation of the doctrine of atonement and the meaning of the cross of Jesus Christ in order to establish whether it is internally coherent