Women of Spirit: Female Leadership in the Jewish and Christian Traditions

by Rosemary Radford Ruether

Women theologians, writing in their own fields, discuss women as charismatic leaders, dissenters, martyrs, and reformers within the structure of centralized church authority and examine theological images of femininity

Genres: Religion

400 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1979

About the author

Visiting Professor of Feminist Theology B.A. Scripps College; M.S., Ph.D., Claremont Graduate School

Rosemary Radford Ruether was the Carpenter Emerita Professor of Feminist Theology at Pacific School of Religion and the GTU, as well as the Georgia Harkness Emerita Professor of Applied Theology at Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary. She had enjoyed a long and distinguished career as a scholar, teacher, and activist in the Roman Catholic Church, and was well known as a groundbreaking figure in Christian feminist theology.

Education

B.A. – Scripps College
M.S., Ph.D. – Claremont Graduate School

Recent Publications / Achievements

Christianity and Social Systems: Historical Constructions and Ethical Challenges (Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2009)

Catholic Does Not Equal the Vatican: A Vision for Progressive Catholicism (New Press, 2008)

America, Amerikkka: Elect Nation and Imperial Violence(Equinox, 2007)

Encyclopedia of Women And Religion in North America, with Rosemary Skinner Keller (Indiana University Press, 2006)

Goddesses and the Divine Feminine: A Western Religious History (University of California Press, 2005)

Integrating Ecofeminism, Globalization, and World Religions(Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc., 2005)

Mountain Sisters: From Convent To Community In Appalachia, Forward (University Press of Kentucky, 2004)

The Wrath of Jonah: The Crisis of Religious Nationalism in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (Fortress Press, 2002

Reviews

[Francine Apollo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a big fan of Rosemary Radfore Reuther and I reached back to 1979 for this particular book. It is a study of women and leadership in 2 religions that are of great interest to me. It was written with clarity and detail and is highly readable for those who are unfamiliar with the issues. In addition, this book is a foundational piece for anyone doing a study of the topic; authors include major theological voices. Each chapter is followed by extensive notes which could send the reader on to additional reading.

I learned a great deal about the role of women in Protestant demononations going back to the 18th Century and coming forward beyond the middle of the 20th Century. Of particular interest to me were the chapters on the experiences of women in Roman Catholicism and Judiaism.

Highly recommended.

[Mel]

Selections - "Entering the Sanctuary: The Struggle for Priesthood in Contemporary Episcopalian and Roman Catholic Experience"

[Abby · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not very interesting...