She Lives! Sophia Wisdom Works in the World

For minister and teacher Aldredge-Clanton (Changing Church), including female names and images of God in liturgy is vital to social justice. She argues that utilizing female terminology and imagery is needed to overcome the harm caused by centuries of exclusively male language. Building on her previous books and blog, she introduces Christian clergy and lay people who are working to create theological and social change through new religious language. These stories highlight how the people whom she interviewed came to believe in the importance of gender-inclusive language, their struggles to change entrenched traditions, and their triumphs as they offer new ways of being, doing, and believing. Reflecting her claim that using female language for the divine can remedy oppression, she organizes her material in such categories as gender equality, racial equality, and marriage equality. Practical resources, including hymns, prayers, and a list of feminist churches, are woven throughout. This book is not an academic exploration of an important topic but it does provide an intimate look at those working to create inclusive, feminist theologies and a more just world. (Sept.)