Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza

Fiorenza critically engages biblical and feminist discourses about Jesus as the child of Miriam of Nazareth—pregnant, frightened, herself barely more than a child, one of the company of women “ravished by soldiers in war and occupation,” a young woman who did not remain alone with her fear but ventured into the hill country to seek the support of Elizabeth—and as a prophet of Sophia, the Divine Wisdom of Jewish tradition. This book is not a “revolutionary biography” or a show more “postpatriarchal christology” but a “roundtable discussion” that includes feminist discourses as well as other strands of biblical research. Fiorenza's quest for Jesus is more “rhetorical” than “historical,” but “historical” quests are also rhetorical and political exercises undertaken in social and political contexts. To the extent that the book is “about” Jesus, it focuses on his liberating practice rather than his manhood. But it is as much about Miriam and Sophia, locating discourses about Jesus in the proclamation of women, in the encounter of Miriam and Elisabeth, and in the encounter with the powerful tradition of the female Wisdom-Sophia. The book is an important contribution to critical Christology, and it is a critical contribution to the quest for “rhetorics” of scholarly and popular Jesus traditions. It is also important for its serious confrontation with Christian anti-Judaism, and, in its location of the Jesus movement in the context of the basileia tou theou movement of Judaism, it lays a solid foundation for conversation among all the children of Rebecca—and their cousins. show less

In the way of many academics, the author mistakes big words for big ideas. The premise of the book had the potential to be developed into an excellent, thoughtful work, but, unfortunately, the end result was self-indulgent and had no recognizable signs of having been researched at all. I give one star for lack of grammatical error, another for the chosen subject matter.
This book is not likely to leave a mark on any of its readers. I pity those who take whatever class she teaches and are show more forced to read this (pure speculation on my part, but her writing style makes her seem like the type). show less

Brings to our consciousness women who played an important role in the origins of Christianity.

About the author: quoting from the book's back cover, "Elisabeth SchüFiorenza, Krister Stendahl Professor of Scripture and Interpretation at Harvard Divinity School, is internationally known for her pioneering feminist theological work and Biblical scholarship. . ." Elaine H. Pagels, writing for the "New York Times Book Review," said of this work, "Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza stands among the most articulate and respected theologians who have challenged the silence and marginality that show more have characterized the great6 majority of Christian women for nearly 2,000 years. . . . 'Bread Not Stone' engages issues, explicity and implicit, that are sure to spark dicussion, argument, and reflection among thoughtful Christians." This is a tenth anniversary edition with a new afterword by the author. The book has extensive extensive chapter notes and is well indexed. show less