Women, Earth, and Creator Spirit

by Elizabeth A. Johnson

Makes the point that the social domination of women and the ecological domination of the earth are inextricably fused in theory and practice. †

Genres: Theology, Religion, Spirituality, School, Nonfiction, Environment

88 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1993

About the author

Johnson grew up in Brooklyn, New York, the oldest of seven children in an "Irish Catholic family." As a young adult she joined the religious order of the Sisters of Saint Joseph whose motherhouse is in Brentwood, Long island, NY. She received a B.S. from Brentwood College in 1964, an M.A. from Manhattan College in 1964.

1981, she became the first woman to earn a Ph.D. in theology at the Catholic University of America (CUA). CUA is a pontifical university of the Catholic Church and is the only university in the U.S. founded and sponsored by America's bishops. Johnson recalls that her experience there was "rich, respectful, and collegial," but was also "lacking in female presence." During her studies there in the 1970s Johnson observes, "I never had a woman professor, I never read one woman author. There were none to be had. It was a totally male education." CUA attempted to remedy this when Johnson herself was hired into a tenure-track position in Christology. She became one of the first female theologians allowed to receive a doctorate by the church authorities, as a result of the "liberalization decrees that capped the Second Vatican Council." Feminism had begun impacting the thinking and dialog of female Catholic theologians, and pioneering feminist theologians Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza and Sandra M. Schneiders influenced Johnson on feminist topics, including using feminine metaphors and language for God. Inspired by their example, Johnson and other women graduate students formed a group, "Women in Theology."

She has served as head of the Catholic Theological Society of America and the American Theological Society.

While at CUA in 1980 she felt profoundly affected by events of the Salvadoran Civil War when four American women, including three nuns, working as missionaries and helping oppressed people to escape violence, were abducted and killed by a death squad. Johnson mourned the women, but she "redirected her anguish by carrying out their mission in her own field of theology."

Johnson notes that leaders of her religious community encouraged her to enter the field of theology and pushed her to continue in spite of obstacles. "When I applied for tenure at Catholic University, I received the full positive vote of the faculty. But the outcome was in doubt because some bishops were not happy with an article I had written," she says, referring to her article questioning the traditional view of Mary as "humble and obedient." Though she contemplated leaving rather than facing the "arduous process of interrogation," General Superior Sister John Raymond McGann advised her not to give up, and Johnson did receive tenure.

Johnson had taught science and religion at the elementary and high school level, then taught theology at St. Joseph's College (New York) and at CUA before moving to Fordham in 1991. At Fordham, she was named Distinguished Professor in 1997 and "Teacher of the Year" in 1998.

Reviews

[Suzan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to love this book, and by and large I did but portions of it were really so filled with jargon that I found it inaccessible. If I had read the book as part of a discussion group it is likely that I would have gotten more out of it. It really is more of a technical book. It has some delicious parts though that are so inspiring. I love the kinship model and am so thankful to have a "name" for my beliefs about the world. (Obviously one area where jargon was helpful...). The delving into the female spirit and its treatment in religious institutions and Ho that has shaped cultural perspectives and behavior was fascinating.

[Marie Kos · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful contemplation and entreaty to a more holistic and healing understanding of God, humanity, and all creation.

[Elyse Welles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This brief essay explores ecofeminism’s connection to religion, technically the Christian god but the theology is broad and every religion from Ancient Greece’s Aphrodite to the Native American Old Wind Woman is mentioned and conceptualized through her lens. Johnson explores the hierarchical dualism of man/woman, human/nature, spirit/matter that places the former in superiority and power over the latter. She explains that this social structure is the foundation of humanity’s problems exploiting nature, and that to save our planet we must overturn that way of thinking and become more than just stewards of earth, but recognize our connection to Her and each other as equals in the cosmos. Her thoughts on Spirit and Women’s Wisdom pertaining to lifegiving were particularly fascinating. I highly recommend this little book, it’s a quick read but it’s about quality not quantity!

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short read summarizing a lecture. The author makes the case for the loss of the feminine in religion and also the effects of a patriarchal/hierarchical society on ecology. She claims three primary relationships: human beings to each other, human beings to God and human beings to the earth. She discusses three models for our relationship with the earth: kingship, stewardship and kinship. I appreciated her discussion of love: "Love grants autonomy to the beloved and respects this, all the while participating in the joy and pain of the other's destiny. It vigorously cares and works for and urges the beloved toward his or her wellbeing, but never forces." (p.59)

[Lauren Kristine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A case for the correlation between patriarchy and climate change, and a call to action to put earth and the 'creator spirit' at the heart of our spirituality. Loved it.

[Carmella McGee]

For class but very interesting read