The Strength of Her Witness

The Strength of Her Witness is a treasure trove for readers interested in feminist approaches to Jesus' person and mission. After a pertinent Introduction, the Editor, wellesteemed North American theologian Elizabeth A. Johnson, presents three biblical scholars who reflect on the risen Jesus encountering Mary Magdalen. While each scholar highlights Mary Magdalen's fundamental witness to God's saving power, the book's title also affirms God's abiding trust in women as witnesses to Christ. Section Two, Sweeping Overviews, offers four chapters, including one by Jewish contributor Judith Plaskow and another by Australian biblical scholar, Elaine Wainwright, who emphasise Jesus' mission as being “with community” and Jesus Himself as revealing God's “Wisdom”. In the 12 chapters of Section Three women from differing contexts engage vitally with Christology. I note two local chapters ”” one by Australian Aboriginal woman, Lee Meina Skye, and another by NiVanuatu woman, Judith Vusi. Skye argues that Christ's gender is not problematical for Aboriginal women but that Christ's humanity and saving power are fundamental. For many indigenous people, it's Christ's “Spirit” which shapes and nourishes their spirituality. Vusi links Jesus Christ with an indigenous dwarf-like figure whose red taro, rejected by locals, flavoured and coloured the entire dish when harvested. Likewise, Christ empowers women to use their small but precious gifts. Finally in Section Four, six chapters highlight powerfully numerous implications for readers of belonging to “the Body” of Christ. It is here that contributors raise especially thoughtprovoking contemporary questions. For example, Kwok Pui-lan in Engendering Christ questions traditional “Christ” images which have often done injustice to a Jesus who challenged the empire, its taxation systems and most contemporary political and religious leaders. Likewise, Mary Shawn Copeland focusing on the “boundarybreaking” image of Jesus, argues for greater inclusivity of persons within today's Body of Christ, reminding readers to reflect on those who are not welcomed into Christ's Body and those ignored as unworthy or unsuitable. In 25 chapters, The Strength of her Witness exceeds 300 pages and offers international feminist writing on Jesus Christ from 1990 to 2013. This excellent book will appeal especially to feminist scholars but many chapters offer first-time readers an accessible and helpful glimpse into global research which attention to Jesus Christ has provoked in recent decades.

• Softback
• 354pp.