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Heart of Flesh: A Feminist Spirituality for Women and Men
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Average Rating:  out of 7 Reviews
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Price: $20.00
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Sale: $4.98
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Manufacturer: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
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EAN (European Article Number): 9780802842824
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Number of Items: 1
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Binding: Paperback
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Author: Joan Chittister
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Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
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Dewey Decimal Number: 248.082
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Publication Date: 1998-04
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Reading Level: 187
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Description: This book is one of the best, well-balanced, thoroughly-discussed commentaries on Christianity, feminism, and liberation theology that I have ever read. Although she makes no secret of her political or spiritual views, Dr. Chittister places them in context, sharing anecdotes and stories as a means for getting her point across. She also manages to detoxify such "buzz words" as "feminism" and clarify why "Westernization" meets with such strong resistance in other cultures In additioning to covering the "same old ground" (as I've heard it described) of why traditional hurts women, Dr. Chittister also illustrates how it harms men, society, and the earth; and points out how it differs from the way Jesus related to people - inclusive, peaceful, healing and compassionate. This book points to a more respectful and open theology. A brilliant, balanced, and compassionate work.
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Customer Reviews
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Review Summary: Feminism at the heart of the Gospel |
Date: 2007-12-13 |
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Details: In Heart of Flesh, Joan Chittister grapples with feminism as a matter of ultimate importance. She writes in a flowing, authoritative style with minimal critical apparatus and the accompanying witness of bold artwork by Nancy Earle. Her observations are grounded in extensive engagement with theology and social science research and a lifetime of committed yet critical involvement in the Catholic Church. A Benedictine leader known for her social activism, Sister Joan gives a ringing call to feminists to embrace spirituality and Christian women and men to embrace feminism, for the sake of our relationships with each other, the well-being of the planet, and faithfulness to God.
Chittister employs the 6th-century Rule of Benedict to elaborate dimensions of feminist spirituality. Benedict formulated his counter-cultural rule for "Roman men, who had been formed in a totally patriarchal society, a society that institutionalized power, hierarchy, and dominance" (97). The Benedictine approach with its emphasis on humility and non-hierarchical decision-making challenges the patriarchal church as well as the will to power that fuels secular society. The call to humility carries an inherent danger for women, however, since women have heard through the ages a destructive call to subservience; hence, Chittister must carefully differentiate between the perversions of patriarchy and a liberating humility that leads to both inner and public peace.
Throughout the book, Chittister references the damage done to both women and men by patriarchy. She does a fine job of showing connections to structural injustices and advocating for nonviolence and empowerment of the oppressed. Feminism is presented as a worldview that "makes humans of us all" (4). God speaks in Scripture about removing our hearts of stone and giving us hearts of flesh so that our humanity will be restored (175). Without attempting a full Christology, Chittister refers to Jesus as the model feminist. At points, she describes feminism in terms that most would reserve for Christ: "Feminism comes to bring both men and women to the fullness of life, the wholeness of soul, for which we were all made in the image and likeness of God" (37).
Heart of Flesh offers a helpful corrective to feminist arguments that ignore male health, on the one hand, and domesticate God, on the other hand. Joan Chittister holds reverence for God and God's revelation together with an ecofeminist vision of creation in which power, responsibility, and vulnerability are shared. Each aspect of her analysis is illustrated by a story from her own journey of learning to name patriarchal distortions and voice feminist correctives. In its breadth and mature wisdom, this volume offers a compelling challenge to see feminism at the heart of the Gospel message.
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Review Summary: A must-read enhancement for any spiritual journey |
Date: 2007-07-13 |
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Details: With this fine, thought-provoking book, Chittister steps firmly into the gap in the area of spirituality. Her excellent explanation of feminist spirituality with its gifts for the world of today makes clear that hers is not an anti-male position (an accusation leveled against much secular feminist writing), but rather one which invites both men & women into an awareness of the wholeness of the experience of God which has been lacking in the patriarchal expression of faith and life. Joan Chittister moves feminism out of the arena of power struggles into an awareness of the possibilities it offers for human survival and accomplishment in today's world. The text of the book is dramatically enhanced by the wonderfully creative artwork by Nancy Earle which marks the beginning of each chapter.
A beautiful, well-written, hopeful, honest book. A must-read for women and men alike.
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Review Summary: Chittister speaks the Truth |
Date: 2005-07-19 |
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Details: Concise, wise, poignant and honest, Joan Chittister gives us direct perspective on the true compassion we can find in God and nurture in ourselves. She backs up her points with scripture and history and her words cut like a knife through the tough cultural gender roles we're forced into. As others may tell us how feminists are homosexual home-wreckers, Chittister reminds us that the neglect, confinement and restraining of women hurts men just as much, and that neither men nor women can grow in God's Love under such intolerant conditions. Chittister is unwaivering with Jesus' message clearly detailed in The Holy Bible. I applaud her for her strength of character and faith in writing her books in the honest and direct manner that she does. |
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Review Summary: Naming the poison that runs through the patrirchical system. |
Date: 2001-09-26 |
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Details: As a native woman and former Christian, I found this book very helpful in naming the "thing" that we as a society has agreed upon but were unconcious about this agreement. We as woman are taught to be less than men, double that for native women for we go with the myth that we are oppressed as natives also.There are so many myths about being native, so many agreements we make to keep "peace" in the home. The terrorist act on the WTC is just a big big wake up call to see what we are allowing - violence - in our home, allowing our children to be abused and allowing ourselves as women to be less than everyone. If you want to understand women and our gift of spirituality, this is the book. |
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Review Summary: Rarely does one find such an accessible work |
Date: 2000-07-28 |
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Details: This book is one of the best, well-balanced, thoroughly-discussed commentaries on Christianity, feminism, and liberation theology that I have ever read. Although she makes no secret of her political or spiritual views, Dr. Chittister places them in context, sharing anecdotes and stories as a means for getting her point across. She also manages to detoxify such "buzz words" as "feminism" and clarify why "Westernization" meets with such strong resistance in other cultures In additioning to covering the "same old ground" (as I've heard it described) of why traditional hurts women, Dr. Chittister also illustrates how it harms men, society, and the earth; and points out how it differs from the way Jesus related to people - inclusive, peaceful, healing and compassionate. This book points to a more respectful and open theology. A brilliant, balanced, and compassionate work. |
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