Jesus: Miriam's Child, Sophia's Prophet : Critical Issues in Feminist Christology
Author(s): Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza
In Jesus: Miriam's Child, Sophia's Prophet Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza makes a unique contribution to two quite different discussions of Jesus the Christ. On the one hand, she looks at biblical christology from a critical feminist perspective in the tradition of liberation theology. On the other, she examines the feasibility of a feminine christology by considering such problems as Christian anti-Judaism, ideological justification of domination, religious exclusivism and the formation of patriarchal identity. Re-imagining the Jesus movement in a feminist key transcends the boundaries set by history, gender and doctrine. By assessing various Jesus traditions and interpretations in terms of whether they can engender liberating visions for today, Schüssler Fiorenza seeks to challenge and transform a Christianity dominated by masculinity and exclusivist theological frameworks so that it offers a vision of justice and well-being for all, the central image in which is the reign, the coming world, of God. This Cornerstones edition features a new extended introduction which takes into account the developments in the field since the work was originally published in 1994.
Review(s):
“This is a most welcome reissue of Schüssler-Fiorenza's groundbreaking work. With analysis of women's experience as the starting point, Schüssler-Fiorenza uses vivid images such as “into the hill country,” and “the open road to Galilee,” to invite readers into new spaces where images of Christ in the Scriptures can be explored from a different perspective and christological discourses can be reconceptualized toward liberating practice. For those willing to embark on the journey with her, the destination is no less than global well-being.” —Barbara E. Reid, O.P, Catholic Theological Union, USA
“In this new edition of her deep and influential book, Elisabeth Schüssler-Fiorenza continues her singular retrieval of the biblical figure of Sophia for contemporary theology. As this book demonstrates, Elisabeth Schüssler-Fiorenza has for many of us herself become a Sophia figure of our period continuously contributing her wisdom over and over again.” —David Tracy, University of Chicago, USA
ISBN: 9780567658654