Leaders from across the spectrum of the emerging directions of feminist Christianity speak about theological visions, liturgical and ministerial challenges and scriptural insights as a starting point for building new models of religious life and worship.
Edited by Mary E. Hunt and Diann L. Neu
Hardcover
6 x 9, 384 pp | 978-1-59473-285-0
Powerful insights from ministers, theologians, activists, leaders, artists and liturgists who are shaping the future.
“Christianity has been a source of the oppression of women, as well as a resource for unleashing women's full humanity. Feminist analysis and practice have recognized this. Feminist Christianity is reshaping religious institutions and religious life in more holistic, inclusive, and justice-focused ways.”
—from the Introduction
Feminism has brought many changes to Christian religious practice. From inclusive language and imagery about the Divine to an increase in the number of women ministers, Christian worship will never be the same. Yet, even now, there is a lack of substantive structural change in many churches and complacency within denominations.
The contributors to this book are the thought leaders who are shaping, and being shaped by, the emerging directions of feminist Christianity. They speak from across the denominational spectrum, and from the many diverse groups that make up the Christian community as it finds its place in a religiously pluralistic world. Taken together, their voices offer a starting point for building new models of religious life and worship.
Topics covered include feminist:
- Theological Visions
- Scriptural Insights
- Ethical Agendas
- Liturgical and Artistic Frontiers
- Ministerial Challenges
“Make[s] a compelling case that Christianity must shed its patriarchic past and confront the diverse concerns of a globalized world.”
—Ms. Magazine
“Some of the best and most cutting-edge thinking…. Calls upon us to do together the hard yet hopeful work of dismantling sexism and domination—both within and among us—so that God’s earth and all who dwell upon it can be saved.”
—Rev. Loey Powell, executive for Administration & Women’s Justice, United Church of Christ
“There are certain books you read with a highlighter in hand so you can pinpoint special passages of delight and challenge. There are certain books you long to discuss in a community of like-minded people. This is one such book.”
—Christian Feminism Today
“Important and exciting…. A very banquet of ideas big enough to reinvigorate the life of the Spirit. More than that, it is a catalyst for the ongoing process of achieving it.”
—Joan Chittister, OSB, co-chair, Global Peace Initiative of Women; author, Heart of Flesh: A Feminist Spirituality for Women and Men
“Living proof that feminism has shaken the Christian patriarchal mindset to its core…. A must read for anyone interested in the future of Christianity in the twenty-first century.”
—Maureen Fiedler, host, Interfaith Voices; editor, Breaking Through the Stained Glass Ceiling: Women Religious Leaders in Their Own Words
“Demonstrates that feminist Christianity is far from monolithic; rather it is diverse, thoughtful, incisive, pastoral, prophetic and above all, deeply faithful.”
—Emilie M. Townes, Andrew W. Mellon Professor of African American Religion and Theology, Yale University
“With smarts, wit, and tantalizing moral vision, feminist movers and shakers illustrate how transforming patriarchy, religiously as well as socially, requires ‘changing the subject,’ both the ‘who’ that speaks (and is listened to) and the ‘what’ that’s spoken about…. Truly nourishing bread for the journey.”
—Rev. Marvin M. Ellison, PhD, Willard S. Bass Professor of Christian Ethics, Bangor Theological Seminary; co-editor, Sexuality and the Sacred: Sources for Theological Reflection
“Thoughtful ... a solid compendium on the issue, very highly recommended.”
—Bookwatch
“Both a rich, colorful sampler for those unfamiliar with feminist Christian work in the U.S. and an invitation to all of us to continue liberating Christianity from hegemonic ‘isms.’ This is a welcome resource for all who care about justice in the church and in the world.”
—Rev. Dr. Rita Nakashima Brock, coauthor, Saving Paradise: How Christianity Traded Love of This World for Crucifixion and Empire and Casting Stones: Prostitution and Liberation in Asia and the United States
“What is new about New Feminist Christianity is the depth and breadth and scope—Diann Neu and Mary Hunt do not shy away from all the intersectionalities that feminism in the context of Christianity contains. The inclusion of such powerful, diverse voices that deal with body, art, and ministry, as well as rich crosscultural lenses, will make this a powerful, required text for anyone wanting to understand Christianity or feminism today!”
—Rev. Nancy Wilson, moderator, Metropolitan Community Churches
“Excellent.... Gather[s] a stellar group of authors from various backgrounds whose essays ... offer predictions for the future.”
—Englewood Review of Books
“Too often in monogendered theology, male eyes looked through the wrong end of the telescope and saw a world writ small. In this volume, womanspirit that has long been rising comes of age, and Christianity is dynamically reimagined. This is the real, not the fictive, radical orthodoxy.”
—Daniel C. Maguire, professor of religious ethics, Marquette University
“Some jewels ... can be found here.... Highly-credentialed writers ... [provide] a vision towards the future of Christian feminist transformation of the church.... Practitioners and students of Christian ministry as well as students of Christian theology would greatly benefit from this volume.”
—ForeWord
“A rich mix of topics and perspectives that clearly conveys where feminist Christianity has been and where it needs to go.”
—Judith Plaskow, author, Standing Again at Sinai: Judaism from a Feminist Perspective
María Pilar Aquino • Rachel A. R. Bundang • Wanda Deifelt • Marie M. Fortune • Mary E. Hunt • W. Anne Joh • Eunjoo Mary Kim • Kwok Pui-lan • Cynthia Lapp • Shelly Matthews • Virginia Ramey Mollenkott • Eleanor Moody-Shepherd • Surekha Nelavala • Diann L. Neu • Kate M. Ott • Nancy Pineda-Madrid • Marjorie Procter-Smith • Meg A. Riley • Victoria Rue • Rosemary Radford Ruether • Letha Dawson Scanzoni • Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza • Deborah Sokolove • Jeanette Stokes • Janet Walton • Traci C. West • Gale A. Yee • Barbara Brown Zikmund
