The Oxford Handbook of Feminist Theology

The Oxford Handbook of Feminist Theology is a comprehensive and authoritative guide to feminist theology, edited by Mary McClintock Fulkerson and Sheila Briggs, and published by Oxford University Press in 2011. This handbook brings together leading scholars in the field, including Rosemary Radford Ruether, Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza, and Kwok Pui-lan, to provide a thorough overview of the subject. The handbook is divided into several sections, covering topics such as feminist biblical interpretation, feminist systematic theology, and feminist practical theology, with contributions from scholars affiliated with institutions like Harvard University, University of Chicago, and Yale University. The handbook also engages with the work of prominent theologians like Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Karl Barth, and Paul Tillich, as well as feminist thinkers like Simone de Beauvoir, Betty Friedan, and Germaine Greer.

Introduction to Feminist Theology

Feminist theology emerged as a distinct field of study in the 1960s and 1970s, influenced by the civil rights movement, the women's liberation movement, and the work of scholars like Mary Daly and Valerie Saiving. The field draws on a range of disciplines, including biblical studies, systematic theology, ethics, and sociology, and engages with the work of theologians like Reinhold Niebuhr, H. Richard Niebuhr, and Paul Ricoeur. Feminist theologians like Letty Russell, Carter Heyward, and Delores Williams have made significant contributions to the development of the field, which is characterized by its emphasis on social justice, gender equality, and inclusivity. The work of feminist theologians is also informed by the perspectives of womanist theology, mujerista theology, and Asian feminist theology, which highlight the experiences and concerns of women from diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds, including those from Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Overview of The Oxford Handbook

The Oxford Handbook of Feminist Theology provides a comprehensive overview of the field, covering topics such as feminist biblical interpretation, feminist systematic theology, and feminist practical theology. The handbook is divided into several sections, each of which is edited by a leading scholar in the field, including Kathleen McVey, Susan Thistlethwaite, and Emilie Townes. The handbook includes contributions from scholars affiliated with institutions like Duke University, University of California, Berkeley, and Columbia University, as well as from prominent theologians like James Cone, Gustavo Gutiérrez, and Liberation theology. The handbook also engages with the work of feminist thinkers like Judith Butler, Donna Haraway, and bell hooks, and explores the intersections between feminist theology and other fields, such as postcolonial studies, queer theory, and ecofeminism.

Key Themes and Contributions

The Oxford Handbook of Feminist Theology covers a range of key themes and topics, including feminist biblical interpretation, feminist systematic theology, and feminist practical theology. The handbook includes contributions from scholars like Phyllis Trible, Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza, and Kwok Pui-lan, who have made significant contributions to the development of feminist biblical interpretation. The handbook also explores the intersections between feminist theology and other fields, such as postcolonial studies, queer theory, and ecofeminism, with contributions from scholars like Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, Homi K. Bhabha, and Vandana Shiva. The work of feminist theologians like Rosemary Radford Ruether, Carter Heyward, and Delores Williams is also highlighted, as well as the perspectives of womanist theology, mujerista theology, and Asian feminist theology.

Feminist Theological Methodologies

Feminist theological methodologies are characterized by their emphasis on social justice, gender equality, and inclusivity. Feminist theologians like Mary Daly and Valerie Saiving have developed methodologies that prioritize the experiences and perspectives of women, and that seek to challenge and transform patriarchal systems and structures. The handbook includes contributions from scholars like Kathleen McVey and Susan Thistlethwaite, who have developed feminist theological methodologies that engage with the work of Liberation theology and postcolonial studies. The handbook also explores the intersections between feminist theology and other fields, such as queer theory and ecofeminism, with contributions from scholars like Marcella Althaus-Reid and Ivone Gebara.

Impact and Reception

The Oxford Handbook of Feminist Theology has had a significant impact on the field of feminist theology, providing a comprehensive and authoritative guide to the subject. The handbook has been widely reviewed and praised by scholars like Serene Jones, Kwok Pui-lan, and Emilie Townes, who have highlighted its contributions to the development of feminist theology. The handbook has also been recognized for its engagement with the work of prominent theologians like Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Karl Barth, and Paul Tillich, as well as feminist thinkers like Simone de Beauvoir, Betty Friedan, and Germaine Greer. The handbook's emphasis on social justice, gender equality, and inclusivity has also been praised by scholars like James Cone and Gustavo Gutiérrez, who have highlighted its relevance to contemporary theological debates.

Future Directions in Feminist Theology

The Oxford Handbook of Feminist Theology highlights the future directions of feminist theology, including its engagement with postcolonial studies, queer theory, and ecofeminism. The handbook includes contributions from scholars like Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, Homi K. Bhabha, and Vandana Shiva, who have made significant contributions to the development of these fields. The handbook also explores the intersections between feminist theology and other fields, such as Liberation theology and Asian feminist theology, with contributions from scholars like Kwok Pui-lan and Arvind P. Nirmal. The work of feminist theologians like Rosemary Radford Ruether, Carter Heyward, and Delores Williams is also highlighted, as well as the perspectives of womanist theology, mujerista theology, and Asian feminist theology, which will continue to shape the future of feminist theology. Category:Feminist theology