Ephesians is a "mystery" text that seeks to make known the multifarious Wisdom of G*d. At its heart is the question of power. In this commentary, Elisabeth Schussler Fiorenza examines the political understandings of ekkl esia and household in Ephesians as well as the roles that such understandings have played in the formation of early Christian communities and that still shape such communities today. By paying close attention to the function of androcentric biblical language within Ephesians, Schussler Fiorenza engages in a critical feminist emancipatory approach to biblical interpretation that calls for conscientization and change, that is, for the sake of wo/men's salvation or wellbeing.

Powerful insights from ministers, theologians, activists, leaders, artists and liturgists who are shaping the future.

"Christianity has been a source of the oppression of women, as well as a resource for unleashing women's full humanity. Feminist analysis and practice have recognized this. Feminist Christianity is reshaping religious institutions and religious life in more holistic, inclusive, and justice-focused ways." from the Introduction

Feminism has brought many changes to Christian religious practice. From inclusive language and imagery about the Divine to an increase in the number of women ministers, Christian worship will never be the same. Yet, even now, there is a lack of substantive structural change in many churches and complacency within denominations.

The contributors to this book are the thought leaders who are shaping, and being shaped by, the emerging directions of feminist Christianity. They speak from across the denominational spectrum, and from the many diverse groups that make up the Christian community as it finds its place in a religiously pluralistic world. Taken together, their voices offer a starting point for building new models of religious life and worship.

Topics covered include feminist: Theological Visions Scriptural Insights Ethical Agendas Liturgical and Artistic Frontiers Ministerial Challenges"

Speaking for the growing community of Latina feminist theologians, the editors of this volume write, "With the emergence and growth of the feminist theologies of liberation, we no longer wait for others to define or validate our experience of life and faith.... We want to express in our own words our plural ways of experiencing God and our plural ways of living our faith. And these ways have a liberative tone."

With twelve original essays by emerging and established Latina feminist theologians, this first-of-its-kind volume adds the perspectives, realities, struggles, and spiritualities of U.S. Latinas to the larger feminist theological discourse. The editors have gathered writings from both Roman Catholics and Protestants and from various Latino/a communities. The writers address a wide array of theological concerns: popular religion, denominational presence and attraction, methodology, lived experience, analysis of nationhood, and interpretations of life lived on a border that is not only geographic but also racial, gendered, linguistic, and religious.

I -- Women's rights as human rights in a global context, The -- rights of women and human rights: achievements and contradictions : Evelyn A. Kirkley -- Women's rights as human rights in a global context, globalization and the violation of wo/men's rights : Ann-Cathrin Jarl -- Between women: migrant domestic work and gender inequalities in the new global economy : Rhacel Salazar Parren?as -- Feminist struggles for women's rights: towards a new global agenda : Virginia Vargas -- Catholicism and women's rights as human rights : Maria?-Jose? Rosado-Nunes -- Feminist problematization of rights language and universal conceptualizations of human rights : Isabelle Barker : Jasbir Kaur Puar -- II -- Religious and theological structures: violating or supporting women's rights -- Women's rights to full citizenship and decision-making in the church : Margarita Pintos de Cea-Naharro -- A -- women's right to not being straight (El derecho a no ser derecha): on theology, church and pornography : Marcella Maria Althaus-Reid -- In God's image: theology in the articulation of women's rights : Lieve Troch -- Inter-religious and inter-cultural work for women's rights : Margaret Shanthi-Stephens