Power For: Feminism and Christ's Self-Giving

by Anna Mercedes

Contesting the feminist critique of the dangers of Christianity’s self-giving ethics, this book advances a contemporary feminist christology engaging the strength of self-giving power.

Genres: Theology

184 pages, Paperback

First published September 22, 2011

Reviews

[Joseph Sverker]

A veyr interesting read, Mercedes attempts to show how kenosis is a relevant and even essential concept also for Christian feminists. However, in order for it to be some, some conceptual work needs to be done - amongst others to see that it is a "power for" rather than "power over" and "power with". That is Christ's kenosis is a power for, for example, resistance. It is not that self-giving, in other words, is the acceptance of oppression. It is a power in which agency is established through non-violence.

I agree with some other reviewer here on goodreads that the chapter on sadism and masochism is a little odd. Considering some writings within radical feminism it could be interesting, but I don't quite see the importance of it for the overall argument Mercedes wants to make. I think she is able to ground her case more successfully in her account of battered women.

I have myself similar thoughts as Mercedes on how kenosis and feminism is compatible and in that way this book has been essential reading for me.

[Kara · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't think I was the only one in our Christology seminar to throw this book across the room while reading Chapters 4 and 5 ('Beyond "Power-With": Martyrs and Masochists' and 'Power for Resistance: Abuse and Self-Giving Care'). Mercedes' model of masochistic erotic kenosis is meant to address the ways that the rhetoric of self-sacrifice and the imitatio Christi has been toxic to Christian women. In actuality, it makes everything worse. *Surely* there are other ways to respond to abuse than encouraging its victims to erotically enjoy it. Mercedes doesn't seem to realize that violence against women (in any form) is the *antithesis* of the consensual S&M undergirding her argument. There are no safe words in domestic violence - or any other form of forced subjugation.

As the late Roger Ebert might say, I hated, hated, hated this book.