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Consider Jesus: Waves of Renewal in Christology
Consider Jesus is widely regarded as the finest general introduction to Christology. Adopted for adult education courses, classrooms, and seminars, this classic book, written by one of the leading theologians of our era, presents major themes about Jesus in clear and accessible language.
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1990
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152 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 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 1, 2025
1.5 stars. This felt like a required read for a college level theology class. I say that, but I had more interesting, informative and understandable books. I read this with a friend in a "book club" discussion situation or I would NEVER have finished this book.
Things that I thought were interesting in the book:
Things that I thought were interesting in the book:
September 16, 2024
This book takes a fairly modern (it was written in 1990--but with the Catholic Church, that is modern) look at the humanity of Jesus. I don't think I realized how relatively modern that is: to emphasize Jesus' humanity. I liked the explanations of Liberation Christology and Feminist Christology. As a Catholic is a conservative area, I sometimes feel like my understanding of Jesus is unique and possibly wrong. I appreciated especially the author's explanation about the need for a feminist Christology. I gained an understanding about why a male-centered Christology in which God is "he" has always deeply bothered me. My favorite quote: the role of a Christian is to do good and resist (not just avoid) evil. I do believe the job of a Christian (and anyone who wants to bring goodness into the world) is to work to make the world a better place, not just one that is tolerable while one awaits heaven.
October 28, 2017
Whew! I actually finished this book. I read this book because my granddaughter had asked me if I had heard of it. She is taking a class in Feminist Christianity (one of the choices of topics for a required religious class), and it is the assigned text. I had never heard of this book (after reading it I understand why) and wanted to see what she was going to be studying. There was so much in this book that disturbed me -- I did not "find profound theological insights into the person and missions of Jesus Christ," as one review stated, although I believe that I, sadly, did get some insight into "popular theology" that is prevalent in the world we live in today. This was a difficult read for me. If you really want to consider Jesus by reading a book, the best source available is the Holy Bible.
October 20, 2018
Short and concise, this book goes through Christology, its history, critical issues, and contemporary contributions in a succinct and enjoyable way.
Her chapter on how Christology from above and from below both show a Christology focused on Jesus was really good. For saying something in a very short space, I thought that little discussion really did something substantive.
Johnson's chapter on feminist Christology was excellent. Thoroughly grounded in biblical reflection, she presents an argument for Jesus and the New Testament's view of women that was really good. This is probably one of those things where since she is Catholic, and Catholics are highly against women leaders, she is therefore a "feminist." This chapter in my opinion was just plain old biblical.
Great book for lay people in theology to think about issues without getting bogged down in massive monographs.
Her chapter on how Christology from above and from below both show a Christology focused on Jesus was really good. For saying something in a very short space, I thought that little discussion really did something substantive.
Johnson's chapter on feminist Christology was excellent. Thoroughly grounded in biblical reflection, she presents an argument for Jesus and the New Testament's view of women that was really good. This is probably one of those things where since she is Catholic, and Catholics are highly against women leaders, she is therefore a "feminist." This chapter in my opinion was just plain old biblical.
Great book for lay people in theology to think about issues without getting bogged down in massive monographs.
April 16, 2022
A good introduction to (mostly modern) Christology. Johnson seems to pass over a lot of medieval and early Christology (though not entirely). And there's definitely a liberal slant to this book -- which in itself is not bad (because she sometimes makes very valid and interesting points) but it definitely does color her perspective.
One area that I absolutely disagree with though is her criticism of "personhood" language for the Trinity -- in fact, her views sometimes sound like modalism (though I doubt that's her intention).
One area that I absolutely disagree with though is her criticism of "personhood" language for the Trinity -- in fact, her views sometimes sound like modalism (though I doubt that's her intention).
March 15, 2022
This is the first book by Elizabeth Johnson and it deals with issues of Christology in which I have an interest. A most insightful and compelling book of theology.
May 15, 2024
A brief and engaging survey of late 20th century trends in christology. As always, Johnson is organized, clear, and accessible.
December 7, 2016
A good lay-level introduction to twentieth century christology.
November 15, 2010
Good, not great. Decent introductions to some basic issues in the first few chapters and a somewhat decent summary of some issues of salvation in the last, especially.
July 12, 2011
This book is a great place to answer some of the more common (mis)understandings of Jesus - done in Johnson's inimitable, pitch-perfect style.
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October 27, 2011it is a challenging read..for me the theological level is above me.
May 7, 2012
This book has been on my book shelf for ages, but I decided to actually start reading it after reading "The Homeless Bishop." It is theology in accessible language.
January 5, 2015
Read for a Christology class. Johnson is extremely interesting and I found this book a thought provoking and engaging introduction to Christology.
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February 9, 2015It is a book easy to fallow, it help to understand more the mystery of Crist and how the world thinks about him.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews