칼뱅의 여성 이해

Abstract

It is very difficult to know Calvin’s idea or perspective of Woman. Because he has always two opposed positions in his writings, for example in Institute, Sermons and Commentaries. Is he conservative or progressive, medieval or modern, unfriendly or friendly to woman?Calvin regards the silence of the women and their head cover in assembly or public place as the view point of the christian freedom. That is, the problem of women’s silence or head cover belongs to the freedom. Therefore it can be changed in accordance with the situation or the age. In this point Calvin’s view is progressive. But according to Calvin, woman is created in second grade (secundo gradu) even though in the same image of God with man, so that she has to aide the man and to be obedient to him. As a result, he prohibited, like Paul, the women’s preaching or teaching in the church. In a word, women must keep silent and behave properly in their limits. At this point Calvin’s view is conservative and even medieval. Even if he speaks two opposed opinions, we can finally discern his point of view on the condition that we read and interpret the all of his writings keeping in proportion as well as possible. To which position is he more near? Which opinion express he more strongly and much more? What is the conclusion of his discourses after all that?After due consideration, I am obliged to estimate that Calvin in his understanding of woman is close to the paternalistic mass of premodern era rather than he has open mind to the equality between man and woman or to the liberation of woman in the modern era.