Images of Jesus. Contributions of African and Asian Women to the Christological Debate (1982-2007).

This article raises the question of how the images of Jesus held by non-Western female theologians differ from those held by Western female theologians and non-Western male theologians. First, we provide an overview of the Christological debate within Western feminist theology. Next, we categorise non-Western women's images of Jesus as either referring to typically female characteristics or not referring to these aspects but having emotional value for women. Our conclusion is that the connection with Jesus as the source of life (power) is what unites Western and non-Western female theologians. Jesus is not a lonely mediator occupying an isolated position between God and man. However, non-Western female theologians tend to adopt a broader concept of life, addressing the many challenges it presents more comprehensively, and they also emphasise their personal relationship with Jesus more strongly. They share this broader concept of life with their male colleagues, who pay considerably less attention to Jesus as a breaker of taboos, especially with regard to female purity. Non-Western female theologians are found to be more open in their use of the notion of a salvific sacrifice than their Western counterparts. Undoubtedly, this more positive attitude is related to their less individualistic approach to life.