Goddess and God in the World: Conversations in Embodied Theology

by Carol P. Christ, Judith Plaskow

In Goddess and God in the World , leading theologians Carol P. Christ and Judith Plaskow propose a new method for thinking about theological embodied theology rooted in experience and tested in dialogue. Their theological conversation begins from the premise that the transcendent, omnipotent, male God of traditional theologies must be replaced with new understandings of divinity that can provide orientation and guidance as we face the social, political, and environmental challenges of our time. Situating divinity in the world and placing responsibility for the future firmly in human hands, they argue for an inclusive monotheism that affirms the unity of being through a plurality of images celebrating diversity and difference. Carol proposes that Goddess is the intelligent embodied love that is in all being, a personal presence that can inspire us to love the world more deeply. Judith counters that God is an impersonal power of creativity, the ground of being that includes both good and evil. Their probing of the autobiographical sources of their theologies combined with an intense questioning of each others views offers both a new way of speaking about Goddess and God and a fruitful model of theological conversation across difference.

Genres: Religion, Goddess, Spirituality, Feminism

364 pages, Paperback

Published August 1, 2016

About the author

Carol P. Christ, who was a leading feminist thea-logian and a founding voice in the study of women and religion, was named one of the Thirteen Most Infuential People in Goddess Spirituality. She held a Ph.D. in Religious Studies from Yale University and taught at California Institute of Integral Studies, Claremont Graduate University, Harvard Divinity School, Columbia University, and San Jose State University. She was the Director of the Ariadne Institute and led the Goddess Pilgrimage to Crete (www.goddessariadne. org). Her books include She Who Changes, Rebirth of the Goddess, Laughter of Aphrodite, Diving Deep and Surfacing, and with Judith Plaskow, Goddess and God in the World and the ground-breaking anthologies Weaving the Visions and Womanspirit Rising. She lived in Greece where she ran for of ce with the Green Party and worked with World Wildlife Fund to save bird and wildlife habitats.

Reviews

[Hanusia Tkaczyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not your average book on theology. In keeping with values of cooperation and embodiment the authors wrote in a dialogue as they lay out their spiritual development. Each traces her personal history with religion, and as women, including the mysogyny of Yale theologicial school in the 1960's. This is not just background or fluff, but sets the assumptions and tone that affected their respective theological development.

Unlike the rather abstract approach of conventional theological writing, this book digs deeper into the lived experience of the Divine and doesn't shy away from tough questions such as the relationship between god/God and evil. The authors respectfully challenge each other and disclose their own personal reactions to the issues raised. Again, in keeping with their feminist values, they relate to each other even as they hone their arguments. Lest you think this is a some fluffy coffee klatch, be assured that they tackle important theological questions both knowledgably and with heart.

I found it both intellectually stimulating and soul-satisfying. It is helping me to clarify my own beliefs.

[Andra · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is mostly about the authors accomplishments, and has very little to do with God or the Goddess in the real world. Don't waste your time!