Freeing Theology: The Essentials of Theology in Feminist Perspective – A Comprehensive Collection by Ten Respected Women Scholars

by Catherine Mowry Lacugna (Editor)

This exciting collection brings together ten of the most respected women theologians today -- Anne E. Carr, Lisa Sowle Cahill, Sandra M. Schneiders, Mary Catherine Hilkert, Mary E. Hines, Mary Aquin O'Neill, Joann Wolski Conn, Catherine Mowry LaCugna, Susan A. Ross, and Elizabeth A. Johnson -- for the comprehensive introduction to each area of contemporary theology from a feminist perpective.

Genres: Theology, Religion, Feminism

272 pages, Paperback

First published December 24, 1993

Reviews

[Rebecca]

A helpful compendium of feminist Catholic theologians. Several are far too liberal for me, but there are interesting views herein.

[Spencer]

A set of essays on feminist perspectives of classic doctrinal topics, such as revelation, trinity, christology, church, etc. For those looking for a book that introduces the reader to the perspective and offers a far amount of depth, this is really one of the best I've come across, apart from reading all the individual foundational works by the individual writers who contributed to these essays.

The essays on the Trinity and Christology really stood out as substantive. They had solid biblical, historical, and logical reflection.

One should note, however, that these essays are from a predominantly Roman Catholic perspective. For example, the ecclesiology chapter advocated for a more congregational view, less hierarchial, one that upheld the priesthood of all believers. It sounded very similar to classic free church ecclesiology, but sounded radical in comparison to the Catholic versions it was critiquing.

[Jamey Yadon]

This book, like most collections of essays, has some home runs and some pop flies. The first half of the book makes it worth the read, though. LaCugna's essay on the doctrine of God is very good!

[Dianna Caley]

I finished this at Holden village while I was taking a class on eve in Christian, Jewish and Islamic scripture and legend. It was a perfect pairing. I was very excited by the ideas that the authors in the book had regarding more egalitarian interpretation of scripture and ways to move toward a more inclusive church. Being a woman in a time when I am able to read and listen to the thoughts of so many other brilliant women is a blessing.

[Laura Resurreccion]

I realized while reading Freeing Theology that I had reached a moment of real clarity about where I stand. I see that many Catholic women have had similar reactions when engaging with feminist or liberation theology. I recognize that my faith and spiritual values can still be meaningful to me, but I also feel unable to participate in the institutional structure of the Church as it currently exists.

[Doug Browne]

As long as you are Roman Catholic and believe that the big-C Church, the Body of Christ, consists solely of those obedient to the Vatican, this work may be excellent. I had issues with it due to those reasons.

[Jenny]

This is a great introduction to feminist theology, and useful for a paper I'm working on these days.