Gender Difference and Complementarity according to Cloutier
Cloutier identifies the belief that men are superior to women because of cultural stereotypes. The cultural assumptions according to Cloutier could be drawn from the Bible where a woman was created as a helper. This implies that according to some beliefs, men and women are naturally different. Others according to Cloutier have the belief that the only reason why man needs woman’s help is for bearing children. However, as Cloutier argues, that the Western culture should no longer make people view women as inferior and created only for procreation. Since everyone is committed to the need for personal respect and equal power, it is then imperative to identify both men and women as equal. Cloutier believes that human beings should not be ranked according to their color or biological attributes since such beliefs are only scientific myths. Gender, according to Cloutier refers to psychological and biological assumptions hence it is much more than just possessing organs that differentiate males from females. Maleness and femaleness, therefore, have more meaning beyond the biological traits. Gender difference according to Cloutier is a “construction of the society and not a description of nature of both men and women”. Women, therefore, need to be recognized as equal players in the society and should be fully included in all perspectives of life as they equally complement men not only in marriage but all aspects of life.
Cloutier’s relationship between his views of gender to view of God
Cloutier believes that just like God, all people are mysteries who possess unique and inexhaustible freedom. As emphasized by Cloutier, the way human beings are in a relationship with God is the same way they need to develop and grow their love for each other regardless of their gender. Cloutier argues that while cultural stereotypes are focused more on the biological traits of women to prove their inferiority, there is no difference between males and females. According to Cloutier, both males and females are created in the image and likeness of God and the fact that they are relational beings means that they are there to equally complement each other.
Similarity and differences between Sutton’s and Cloutier’s theological views
The view of the connection between gender and God as expressed by Sutton and Cloutier are similar in that they both believe that it is the human likeness to God that everyone should be looking for instead of focusing on biological differences. While Cloutier believes that the mystery of human beings is revealed through their relationships with God, Sutton while drawing examples from the views of John Paul II, Barth and Balthasar believes that both men and women are equal in dignity since they are the image of God. However, while Sutton talks of man being the initiator and leader, Cloutier sees such beliefs as cultural stereotypes which are Western ideologies meant to convince people that men and women are not equal.
Doctrine of Trinity and the concept of maleness and femaleness
The doctrine of the trinity creates a scenario in which there is no maleness or femaleness and that the two are to be considered a ‘unity of the two’. According to the doctrine of the Trinity, both males and females are relational beings who through their image and likeness of God should strive to be complementary. While Mary is the Model woman to show the fact that there is a relationship between the church and Christ, the doctrine makes it clear that women are not only created for procreation but to create a relationship with God the same way men should.
Works Cited
Cloutier, David. Love, Reason & God's Story: mAn Introduction to Catholic Sexual Ethics. New York: Saint Mary's Press, 2008. Document.
Sutton, Agneta. The Complementarity and Symbolism of the Two Sexes: Karl Barth, Hans Urs von Balthasar, and John Paul II. Malden: Blackwell Publishing Ltd, 2006. Document.
