Overview

This book focuses on self-realisation as a faithful way to pursue relationship with God. It considers the issue of objectification faced by women within Christian religion and makes a theological case for the pursuit of selfhood, as understood in an existentialist ontology, which is not selfish or individualistic. For many Christian women, there is arguably a belief that relationship with God requires a form of selflessness in which their self must be abnegated in order to embody faithful Christian living. The author explores how self-realisation could function as a remedy for objectification and allow women to truly Be in relationship with God. Firstly, Simone de Beauvoir’s work on objectification and women’s situation establishes a foundation for considering the importance of self-realisation and the possibility of this as a relational, not individualistic, framework. Then, considered with Kathryn Tanner’s work on divine transcendence and immanence, relationship with God can be considered as something which does not overwhelm human particularity, but rather is the place where the self is encouraged and empowered to fully Be. Finally, practices of kenosis and story-telling are offered as avenues for the abnegation of objectification and the realisation of the self in relationship with others and with God. Ultimately, this volume shows that the self is no longer something to lose or hide in dependence on an Other, there is no longer an imperative to be objectified, but, rather, there is an encouragement to self-realisation as part of a faithful relationship with God. This book will be of particular interest to scholars of feminist theology.

Full Product Details

9781041134879

Table of Contents

Reviews

“Jaimee van Gemerden’s monograph is the book Feminist Theology needs right now! Powerfully challenging and richly theological, she tackles the central question of self-realisation, long troublesome for Christian women, and offers a bold and constructive new response that will shape both the field of Feminist Theology and the real lives of women for generations to come.” Dr Karen O’Donnell, Westcott House, Cambridge “Dr. Jaimee van Gemerden convincingly articulates the problem within Christian theology of self-abnegation. She weaves positive existentialist ontologies together with Kathryn Tanner’s non-competitive view of divine-human relating to develop a constructive approach to the self. Clearly written and cogently defended, van Gemerden offers the world of Christian theology a gift through this work.” Dr Christa McKirland, Carey Baptist College, Auckland

Author Information

Jaimee van Gemerden holds a PhD in theology from the University of Otago, New Zealand.

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