New Feminist Christianity: Many Voices, Many Views

Hunt and Neu,co-founders and co-directors of the Womn''s Alliance for Theology, Ethics, and Ritual, invited the 25 contributors to "describe what the future of feminist Christianity looks like from their various starting points." Many began by looking backward, noting the progress that has been made toward greater equality in Christian teaching and practice, as well as the disappointments and challenges that women seeking a voice and part in Christian leadership still face. Because the essays are necessarily brief, they are strongest when the contributor's particular experience filtech historical reflection. Most mix the personal and predictive, and most arrive at predictable conclusions. The volume concentrates its attention on the United States, which seems myopic since Christianity burgeons in the global south. The book's American focus and the absence of any male voices incompletely address Christian feminism's future. Its rehearsal of familiar complaints and the repeated call by its contributors for creative integration of women's experience and leadership underscores their observation that work remains to be done. (July)