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Abounding In Kindness: Writings for the People of God
Elizabeth A. Johnson is widely regarded as among the most influential and creative Catholic theologians in the world—particularly for her contributions in bringing a feminist perspective to the central themes of Christian faith. Addressed to the wider “people of God,” this anthology of Johnson’s essays and lectures—many available for the first time—provides an overview of her essential work, while also o ering a brilliantly fresh exploration of the Christian faith.
From the question of belief itself, to the mysteries of God, Jesus Christ, and the work of the Holy Spirit, a central theme for Johnson is the overflowing compassion of the living God, engaged with the struggles and su ffering of the world. Throughout this collection Johnson's feminist insights, her concerns for an imperiled planet and for those on the margins, add urgency and passion to her reflections.
From the question of belief itself, to the mysteries of God, Jesus Christ, and the work of the Holy Spirit, a central theme for Johnson is the overflowing compassion of the living God, engaged with the struggles and su ffering of the world. Throughout this collection Johnson's feminist insights, her concerns for an imperiled planet and for those on the margins, add urgency and passion to her reflections.
- GenresTheology
382 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2015
29 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth A. Johnson
41 books111 followersJohnson grew up in Brooklyn, New York, the oldest of seven children in an "Irish Catholic family." As a young adult she joined the religious order of the Sisters of Saint Joseph whose motherhouse is in Brentwood, Long island, NY. She received a B.S. from Brentwood College in 1964, an M.A. from Manhattan College in 1964.
1981, she became the first woman to earn a Ph.D. in theology at the Catholic University of America (CUA). CUA is a pontifical university of the Catholic Church and is the only university in the U.S. founded and sponsored by America's bishops. Johnson recalls that her experience there was "rich, respectful, and collegial," but was also "lacking in female presence." During her studies there in the 1970s Johnson observes, "I never had a woman professor, I never read one woman author. There were none to be had. It was a totally male education." CUA attempted to remedy this when Johnson herself was hired into a tenure-track position in Christology. She became one of the first female theologians allowed to receive a doctorate by the church authorities, as a result of the "liberalization decrees that capped the Second Vatican Council." Feminism had begun impacting the thinking and dialog of female Catholic theologians, and pioneering feminist theologians Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza and Sandra M. Schneiders influenced Johnson on feminist topics, including using feminine metaphors and language for God. Inspired by their example, Johnson and other women graduate students formed a group, "Women in Theology."
She has served as head of the Catholic Theological Society of America and the American Theological Society.
While at CUA in 1980 she felt profoundly affected by events of the Salvadoran Civil War when four American women, including three nuns, working as missionaries and helping oppressed people to escape violence, were abducted and killed by a death squad. Johnson mourned the women, but she "redirected her anguish by carrying out their mission in her own field of theology."
Johnson notes that leaders of her religious community encouraged her to enter the field of theology and pushed her to continue in spite of obstacles. "When I applied for tenure at Catholic University, I received the full positive vote of the faculty. But the outcome was in doubt because some bishops were not happy with an article I had written," she says, referring to her article questioning the traditional view of Mary as "humble and obedient." Though she contemplated leaving rather than facing the "arduous process of interrogation," General Superior Sister John Raymond McGann advised her not to give up, and Johnson did receive tenure.
Johnson had taught science and religion at the elementary and high school level, then taught theology at St. Joseph's College (New York) and at CUA before moving to Fordham in 1991. At Fordham, she was named Distinguished Professor in 1997 and "Teacher of the Year" in 1998.
1981, she became the first woman to earn a Ph.D. in theology at the Catholic University of America (CUA). CUA is a pontifical university of the Catholic Church and is the only university in the U.S. founded and sponsored by America's bishops. Johnson recalls that her experience there was "rich, respectful, and collegial," but was also "lacking in female presence." During her studies there in the 1970s Johnson observes, "I never had a woman professor, I never read one woman author. There were none to be had. It was a totally male education." CUA attempted to remedy this when Johnson herself was hired into a tenure-track position in Christology. She became one of the first female theologians allowed to receive a doctorate by the church authorities, as a result of the "liberalization decrees that capped the Second Vatican Council." Feminism had begun impacting the thinking and dialog of female Catholic theologians, and pioneering feminist theologians Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza and Sandra M. Schneiders influenced Johnson on feminist topics, including using feminine metaphors and language for God. Inspired by their example, Johnson and other women graduate students formed a group, "Women in Theology."
She has served as head of the Catholic Theological Society of America and the American Theological Society.
While at CUA in 1980 she felt profoundly affected by events of the Salvadoran Civil War when four American women, including three nuns, working as missionaries and helping oppressed people to escape violence, were abducted and killed by a death squad. Johnson mourned the women, but she "redirected her anguish by carrying out their mission in her own field of theology."
Johnson notes that leaders of her religious community encouraged her to enter the field of theology and pushed her to continue in spite of obstacles. "When I applied for tenure at Catholic University, I received the full positive vote of the faculty. But the outcome was in doubt because some bishops were not happy with an article I had written," she says, referring to her article questioning the traditional view of Mary as "humble and obedient." Though she contemplated leaving rather than facing the "arduous process of interrogation," General Superior Sister John Raymond McGann advised her not to give up, and Johnson did receive tenure.
Johnson had taught science and religion at the elementary and high school level, then taught theology at St. Joseph's College (New York) and at CUA before moving to Fordham in 1991. At Fordham, she was named Distinguished Professor in 1997 and "Teacher of the Year" in 1998.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 12, 2016
As I started this book, I thought "this is well argued but sort of obvious" and I was frustrated that each chapter would be an entire work in itself and then might double up saying again what the previous one said. Having read the whole book now I think for a volume of collected essays it is extremely well structured (repetition notwithstanding) in the way an argument is built throughout the different speeches for different occasions.
A small criticism is I get irritated when people say "to the contrary" instead of "on the contrary" and Johnson does this ALL THE TIME!!!! Maybe that is acceptable in America, here it seems illiterate (which she is definitely NOT), that is a small gripe though. Her arguments are very reasoned, systematic, she alludes to a very broad range of writers in theology who she seems to have read very closely and reflectively. She fills her arguments with references to encyclicals and the estalished church fathers (regaining some respect for them from people like me that frankly don't like them). She also makes sure that her lists of evidence include many female writers and that her feminist theologians are diverse as to race (and somewhat diverse as to tradition although she is unapologetically Catholic in her focus). She quotes two Adelaide theologians in the book which was lovely because I have met both of them.
At first I thought that her message was obvious, and that the most valuable part of it was how she backs it up with faith/tradition showing a radical sort of faithfulness (with acknowledgement that some other people have good reason for leaving). Her constant explanation that she is not "man bashing" and that many men are excellent got on my nerves because I think it is about time the man-babies stop weeping over imagined insults and confront the real symbolic violence against women in the church (which encourages and extends actual violence in many parts of the world) but I have to admit Johnson is not only kinder but probably wiser than me in doing this (my best friend would do the same).
As the book progressed I came to see more than just soundly argued theology in it, there were some genuinely new insights for me, particularly around Mary and the Magnificat (topics very dear to my heart) and the radical potential of both (more than potential really). In the end Johnson's theology is so positive, loving and hopeful that it is hard to completely believe in it and that is where the rigorous theological arguments come in. For many years I have assumed there is no life after death from a sort of positivist approach to the gospel but she reopens the possibility without seeming naive (or at least if she is naive then she is intelligently walking into the naivety with open eyes).
I borrowed this book (had it placed in my hands one day and was told to read it) but I now wonder if I ought to buy my own copy one day soon...to revisit all that magnificat stuff conveniently. To reread most if not all of it slowly and more in pieces next time.
I am not sure how useful this book would be to non-Catholics (and I think it would have no use whatsoever for non-Christians) but if you are or were or could sometimes be a Catholic do yourself a favour and read this book.
A small criticism is I get irritated when people say "to the contrary" instead of "on the contrary" and Johnson does this ALL THE TIME!!!! Maybe that is acceptable in America, here it seems illiterate (which she is definitely NOT), that is a small gripe though. Her arguments are very reasoned, systematic, she alludes to a very broad range of writers in theology who she seems to have read very closely and reflectively. She fills her arguments with references to encyclicals and the estalished church fathers (regaining some respect for them from people like me that frankly don't like them). She also makes sure that her lists of evidence include many female writers and that her feminist theologians are diverse as to race (and somewhat diverse as to tradition although she is unapologetically Catholic in her focus). She quotes two Adelaide theologians in the book which was lovely because I have met both of them.
At first I thought that her message was obvious, and that the most valuable part of it was how she backs it up with faith/tradition showing a radical sort of faithfulness (with acknowledgement that some other people have good reason for leaving). Her constant explanation that she is not "man bashing" and that many men are excellent got on my nerves because I think it is about time the man-babies stop weeping over imagined insults and confront the real symbolic violence against women in the church (which encourages and extends actual violence in many parts of the world) but I have to admit Johnson is not only kinder but probably wiser than me in doing this (my best friend would do the same).
As the book progressed I came to see more than just soundly argued theology in it, there were some genuinely new insights for me, particularly around Mary and the Magnificat (topics very dear to my heart) and the radical potential of both (more than potential really). In the end Johnson's theology is so positive, loving and hopeful that it is hard to completely believe in it and that is where the rigorous theological arguments come in. For many years I have assumed there is no life after death from a sort of positivist approach to the gospel but she reopens the possibility without seeming naive (or at least if she is naive then she is intelligently walking into the naivety with open eyes).
I borrowed this book (had it placed in my hands one day and was told to read it) but I now wonder if I ought to buy my own copy one day soon...to revisit all that magnificat stuff conveniently. To reread most if not all of it slowly and more in pieces next time.
I am not sure how useful this book would be to non-Catholics (and I think it would have no use whatsoever for non-Christians) but if you are or were or could sometimes be a Catholic do yourself a favour and read this book.
December 21, 2015
Elizabeth Johnson is a Catholic theologian and a Sister of Saint Joseph who teaches at Fordham University. This book is a compilation of speeches and essays produced over a period of years. It is organized by topics of faith, creation and nature, the role of Jesus Christ and the role of church (in this case, the Catholic church) in helping us live a committed Christian life. Sis. Johnson is a feminist and the book reflects feminist theology. She includes very thoughtful provoking interpretations of biblical passages and ways to think about the role of women in scripture, even when those voices are absent from the written text. Some of these essays reflect the current thinking of Pope Francis - for instance, some of these essays emphasize the relationship between poor environmental stewardship and poverty in the world. I found many interesting and stimulating ideas in this book. Here's one: that our hope for the dead is intricately bound with our hope for the natural world. For instance, native people felt a kinship with the land and also honored the spirits of their ancestors. The two were intricately connected. Today, some secularist believe there is an unbridgeable gap between the living and the dead, which also tends to lead to less concern for the natural environment. Realizing our deep connection to our ancestors should help us care more deeply for our stewardship of the earth.
November 13, 2022
i was forced to read this. not my favorite genre. but i need to add a book to my goal so here this is. i cant wait for this theology class to end!!!
April 3, 2018
Don't know much about theology--in the sense that I don't read a lot of it--but this collection of Elizabeth Johnson's writings and lectures is terrific. Faced with the Catholic Church's staunchly sexist positions on the role of women, she has chosen fight over flight. (She is a nun and Professor of Theology at Fordham).
But the role of women is only one of many issues she addresses in ways that I found highly enlightening, especially a chapter called "Jesus Research and Christian Faith." What kind of God, after all, would demand a bloody, violent death from his only son "in satisfaction for sin"?
"...the view of salvation fed by Jesus research shifts theological emphasis from the cross as a sole, violent act of atonement for sin before an offended God to the cross as an act of surfing solidarity that brings divine saving power into intimate contact with human misery, pain, and hopelessness."
This interpretation was new to me and very much welcomed.
But the role of women is only one of many issues she addresses in ways that I found highly enlightening, especially a chapter called "Jesus Research and Christian Faith." What kind of God, after all, would demand a bloody, violent death from his only son "in satisfaction for sin"?
"...the view of salvation fed by Jesus research shifts theological emphasis from the cross as a sole, violent act of atonement for sin before an offended God to the cross as an act of surfing solidarity that brings divine saving power into intimate contact with human misery, pain, and hopelessness."
This interpretation was new to me and very much welcomed.
May 12, 2018
Brilliant theologian and writer. This book of short writings gives an overview of author's work. She is a non-ranting feminist. State's her position without judgements. She is a translator of tradition. She accepts the tradition of the church and shows how that tradition can inform our faith and culture today. She goes back to the intentional roots of Creeds and doctrine to show their relevance today. Chapters on Nicene Creed, Holy Spirit, and Mary Mother of Jesus are memorable and moving for this Protestant.
July 5, 2023
What an excellent book! I am new to the study of theology but not at all new to faith. Many of the ideas I have come to believe over the years of living faith are explained and illuminated in this collection of talks and papers that she has given/written over the years. Her style is accessible, but theology does take time to digest and understand! Her Catholic feminist and social justice oriented views are a balm for the soul of this aging social justice activist and cradle Catholic. Most of her writings were completed before the papacy of Pope Francis, but she would find an ally in him, in at least some respects. If only the rest of the church would listen!
January 31, 2025
This book of essays and addresses given by theologian Elizabeth Johnson is enlightening and accessible. Dr. Johnson speaks eloquently about the importance of including the voices and experiences of women and many others who are marginalized and disempowered by the powerful. She includes the church among the powerful and the earth and all creatures within the disempowered. It took me almost ten years to finish this book but I just forgot about it on my kindle.
December 5, 2025
A very thoughtful and challenging writer but like most collections of papers like this one it was a little patchy
January 13, 2016
A wonderful collection of Johnson's work, organized in a framework that moves from the basic question about faith through a theology of creation (God) , revelation (Jesus) and church (Spirit). Her writing is so clear, her synthesis so fresh and contemporary that I consider this the best, most accessible theology reading I have come across in a long time. It was, for me, as nurturing in its theological explanations as Marilynne Robinson's recent essay collection, "TheGivenness of Things" in its cultural analysis.
September 5, 2016
2-3 essays seemed to drag on interminably but overall I thought it a good book. There was a lot on feminist theology and kindness in general
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews