Feminism Redemption And The Christian Tradition

Christianity begins with what appears to be an inclusive promise of redemption in Christ without regard to gender. Paul proclaimed that 'In Christ there is no more male and female.' Yet Christianity soon developed a patriarchal social structure, excluding women from public ministry, with the argument that women were created subordinate in nature and were more culpable for sin. Here, distinguished feminist theologian, Rosemary Ruether, traces the tension between patriarchal and egalitarian patterns in Christian theology historically. She then examines key theological themes--Christology, the self, the cross and future hope--in the light of her critique.

"A balanced introduction to feminist theological questions ... Carr builds bridges not only between different feminist directions within Christianity, but also within Christian and post-Christian feminists."--Elisabeth Schussler Fiorenza

The first work to undertake a theological critique of Christian feminism as a whole, this book seeks to bring traditional faith and the feminist position into a deeper dialogue. Part One presents an overview of the historical issues raised by feminist theology. Part Two compares key feminist theological presuppositions to the prophetic interpretation of reality found in the biblical tradition.

"Rosemary Radford Ruether's authoritative, award-winning critique of women's unequal standing in the church, which explored the complex history of redemption in evaluating conflict over the fundamental meaning of the Christian gospel for gender relations, is now in an updated and expanded edition. Ruether highlights women theologians' work to challenge the patriarchal paradigm of historical theology and to present redemption linked to the liberation of women. Ruether turns her attention to the situation of women globally and how the growing plurality of women's voices from multicultural and multireligious contexts articulates feminist liberation theology today." --Publisher description.