Books of a theological nature

[theatokos]

I promised a list of books that I have found interesting and helpful in my studies. Here it is, with commentary.


In the Wake of the Goddesses- Tykva Frymer-Kensky; talks about early myth and gender and its morphing under monotheism. Very interesting.

Sexism and God-Talk- Rosemary Radford Ruether; wow, I hope someday I can write a book as accessible and easy to read and ground shattering as this. Also by RRR: Gaia and God, Women and Redemption (I've not read either of those, but they sit on my shelf), and Mary: Feminine Face of the Church (great little book on Mary covering back ground, various ideas and connections to feminism and some goddess theory. Worth reading).

I was heavily influenced by the writings of Jean Markale, a French Celticist. Especially, Women of the Celts and The Great Goddess. However, his scholarship is..... not the most rigorous. He's good to read, especially becuase he has the back ground to read texts in their original languages and knows the history. But if one were to base a thesis on him, one would be mocked. So, read him, but with your critical scholarly hat on.

Other authors to recommend: Elaine Pagels (gnostic scholar), Mary Daly for wacky militant feminism, Judith Plaskow for a Jewish feminist perspective, Carter Hayward's Saving Jesus (from those who are right) makes me happy to read, Carol P. Christ's Rebirth of the Goddess was inspirational, and Starhawk's Spiral Dance is unique among pagan writings in that it is an actual attempt (and a good one too) at writing systematic theology for a belief system mostly without one.

For further scholarship on paganism, Ronald Hutton (most known for Triumph of the Moon) is doing very solid work on the history of paganism. He teaches in Wales I believe. Can someone say Fullbright, please?

Authors I've not read but probably ought to and also have their books sitting on my shelves: Elizabeth Schussler Fiorenza and Luisa Schotroff.

I must conclude with some books on the Virgin Mary. Two good histories are Jaroslav Pelikan's Mary through the Centuries (I use this on nearly every paper) and Marina Warner's Alone of All Her Sex. Elizabeth Johnson's latest - Truly Our Sister - would be good to read, even though I disagree with her. Lately, like this week, I'm loving Karl Rahner's take on Mary.

I hope this is helpful to all feminist scholars. I am always on the look out for new books and authors and ideas as well.

Comments

[hangedwoman.livejournal.com]

Nice list - added to my memories.

[turquoiselady.livejournal.com]

thanks a lot! i have three of RRR - sexism and godtalk, women and redemption, and women church. mary daly is on my to-read and to-get list... i do have a commentary by luise schottroff, and one book by elaine pagels (the gnostic gospels). but i think i'm definitely gonna get the first you put into this list. i looked into it at amazon it sure looks interesting, also gaia and god is one of the next books i want to get... starhawk... i have several o fher: the spiral dance, the twelve wild swans, the pagan book of living and dying, circle round. i also ordered a book by elisabeth schuessler-fiorenza: in memory of her. required reading, i was old, for my thesis. one of the very first ones that i read was elisabeth johnson: she who is. some others sitting on my shel waiting to e read are womanspirit rising, weaving the visions, rebirth of the goddess and she who changes. right now, i'm reading "Selu - seeking the corn mothers wisdom" by marilou awiakta.
a book which i really enjoyed even though it has nothing to do with feminist theoloy is A Native American Theology by Clara Sue Kidwell, Homer Noley, George E. Tinker

thanks again!!!!

[ewigweibliche.livejournal.com]

Luisa Schottroff is preaching next week at chapel. Finally, a reason to go.

[turquoiselady.livejournal.com]

it would be interesting to know what she said... i'll have to preach on dec 5th in a mennonite chapel, nice and conservative... still don't knowwhat to say... *sighs*