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The Women's Christian Theology Reader
Beth Ritter-Conn (Edited by), Steven R. Guthrie (Edited by)
9781394238484, Wiley
Paperback / softback, published 19 March 2026
544 pages
25.2 x 17.8 x 3.6 cm, 1.134 kg
A groundbreaking collection showcasing women's voices in Christian theology across time and tradition The Women's Christian Theology Reader offers a transformative approach to theological study by centering the voices of women from across the centuries and around the world. Featuring primary sources from the second century to the present, this singular collection brings together writings from Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox traditions—presenting theology through poetry, sermons, hymns, and visual art as well as traditional theological prose. Organized around core theological topics, the Reader introduces key doctrines while allowing women's perspectives to shape the discussion. Each chapter includes introductory reflections, commentary on selected excerpts, and discussion questions that encourage deeper engagement. Newly commissioned essays from contemporary women theologians provide insight into how these historical writings continue to shape and challenge Christian thought today. The only theological reader that presents core Christian doctrines exclusively through the writings of women, The Women's Christian Theology Reader: Thoughtfully designed as both a standalone textbook and a supplementary resource, the Women's Christian Theology Reader is ideal for undergraduate and graduate courses in Christian theology, church history, or women in the Christian tradition within degree programs in theology, religious studies, and divinity. It is also a must-have for general readers seeking to understand theology through a wider and more generous lens—one that acknowledges the contributions of women as integral to the Christian tradition.
Notes on Contributors x Acknowledgments xv Historical Timeline of Authors xvii About the Companion Website xix Introduction: An Invitation to Read – and a Thought-Provoking Question 1 1 Knowing and Speaking of God: Theological Prolegomena 6 The Sources of Theology 10 Reading and Hearing Scripture 19 Theology and Other Ways of Knowing 30 The Un/Knowability of God, and Theological Method 41 The Posture of the Theologian 48 Contemporary Reflections 54 – Jennifer Powell McNutt 54 – Maeve Louise Heaney 55 – G. Sujin Pak 57 2 Who and How God Is: The Doctrine of God 59 Attributes and Names of God 63 The Almighty, The Creator 73 God as Immanent and Transcendent 82 God as Trinity 91 Trinity, Love, and Community 99 Contemporary Reflections 109 – Valerie Cooper 109 – Maria Clara Bingemer 110 – Lauren Guerra 112 2A Excursus 1 – Gender and the Fatherhood of God 114 Gendered God- Talk as Metaphor for Relationships 116 The Richness and Necessity of Father Language for God 121 Feminine/Maternal Metaphors and Names for God 126 3 All That Has Been Made: The Doctrine of Creation 134 God’s Act of Creation 137 Creation As Witness to and Communion with God 144 The Ambiguous Testimony of the Creation 152 Providence: God’s Ongoing Care for Creation 158 Humanity’s Calling to Care for Creation 168 Contemporary Reflections 173 – Aminah Al-Attas Bradford 173 – Cheryl Bridges Johns 175 4 Being Human: Theological Anthropology 177 The Image and Likeness of God 180 Body, Soul, and Human Personhood 187 The Gift and Challenge of Gender Differentiation in Theological Anthropology 196 Human Nature and Missing the Mark 202 The Vocation of Being Human 213 Contemporary Reflections 220 – Rachel Muers 220 – Melanie A. Howard 221 – Elizabeth Y. Sung 223 5 The Person of Christ: Christology 226 Thinking about Deity and Humanity in Jesus Christ 228 The Son as the Eternal Word of God 237 The Christology of Nicea and Chalcedon 245 Jesus as God with Us – Friend, Example, Co- Sufferer, Brother, Mother, Spouse 257 Contemporary Reflections 272 – Kayko Driedger Hesslein 272 – Christina Carnes Ananias 274 6 How and From What Are We Saved? : Soteriology 276 Salvation as Victory and Triumph 279 Sacrifice, Suffering and Atonement for Sin 290 Salvation as Following in the Way of Jesus 302 Salvation and God’s Participation in the Suffering of the World 309 Recapitulation, Participation, and the Remaking of Our Humanity 318 Contemporary Reflections 327 – Natalie Carnes 327 – Marion Grau 329 7 Holy Spirit, Breath of God: Pneumatology 331 The Spirit Who Breathes Life into all of Creation 334 The Holy Spirit Who Creates and Gives Life to the Church 342 The Spirit Who has Spoken, and Speaks 349 The Spirit as God’s Presence With Us 354 The Spirit Who Draws and Unites Us to God 361 The Sanctifying, Gift- Giving Spirit 365 The Spirit Who Makes God’s Power Actual in Our Lives 370 Contemporary Reflections 375 – Kirsten Laurel Guidero 375 – Jane Williams 377 8 The Community of Faith: Ecclesiology 380 The Distinctive Character of Christian Community 383 The Unity And Diversity of the Church 394 Church Missions and the Mission of the Church 403 Sacraments – Eucharist 409 Sacraments – Baptism 416 The Protestant Critique 420 Contemporary Reflections 426 – Sarah Jean Barton 426 – Lama Htoi San Lu 427 – Alexia Salvatierra 429 8A Excursus 2 – Women in the Church 431 Proponents of Women’s Leadership in the Church – Historical Voices 433 Proponents of Women’s Leadership in the Church – Contemporary Voices: Catholic, Orthodox, Pentecostal, Evangelical 441 Proponents of Differentiated Roles for Men and Women – Contemporary Voices 451 9 The Life of the World to Come: Eschatology 458 The Hope of the Resurrection 461 Heaven, the Beatific Vision, and the Communion of Saints 467 Paradise, Purgatory, and the Intermediate State 470 Hell and Judgment 481 The Promise of Justice Beyond This Life 491 This Present Creation and the New Creation 497 Contemporary Reflections 508 – Katherine Karam McCray 508 – Zaida Maldonado Perez 510 – Lizette M. Acosta 511 Image Credits 514 Index 516
Subject Areas: Religion & beliefs [HR]
