Images of the Feminine in Gnosticism (Studies In Antiquity & Christianity) [Paperback]

Karen L. King (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2000 | Series: Studies In Antiquity & Christianity

In this groundbreaking collection of essays, King and other contributors engage in a systematic study of issues of gender in Gnosticism. Using a variety of critical methods, the writers ask questions such as: What is the relationship of gendered images to the real lives of women and men? Did ascetic or libertine practices offer an attractive alternative to women in a patriarchal society? Are the images of strong, female goddesses, saviors, and heroines an indication Gnosticism would have been attractive to women? Is it plausible that women in some gnostic groups were authors, teachers, and leaders? Is it possible that some of the Gnostic texts we possess were written by women? What parts did women play in ritual? Did asceticism or libertinism have a different set of social functions for women than for men? These lucid essays offer significant insights into the cultural context and religious practices of Gnosticism.

Editorial Reviews

Review

" An extremely important collection."--Fred W. Burnett, Religious Studies Review, July 2001. (Fred W. Burnett Religious Studies Review )

"Many congratulations should be extended to the scholars whose research and motivation contributed to this fine volume."--Donna K. Wallace, RBL Review. (Donna K. Wallace )

" An extremely important collection."--Fred W. Burnett, Religious Studies Review, July 2001. (, Religious Studies Review )

"Many congratulations should be extended to the scholars whose research and motivation contributed to this fine volume."--Donna K. Wallace, RBL Review. (, )

About the Author

Karen L. King is Professor of Religious Studies at Occidental College, Los Angeles. She is the editor of Images of the Feminine in Gnosticism (Fortress Press, 1998).

Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Trinity Press Int'l; 1 edition (September 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1563383314
• ISBN-13: 978-1563383311
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,750,256 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Reference Work, November 6, 2008

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This review is from: Images of the Feminine in Gnosticism (Studies In Antiquity & Christianity) (Paperback)

Let me explain why I believe that this book deserves 5 stars. I have not read every word of this book. I have read some of the articles, and I keep ithe book as a reference work. It is scholarly. It is well-documented. These are serious scholars. The articles are well-written and almost entertaining to read. They are not trying to hide anything. Everything is out in the open for all to see. They see nothing wrong with Gnosticism or any other heresy, actually. This book is a series of scholarly papers written by prominent feminist theologians from several different Christian religious backgrounds, including Roman Catholic.


I am not a feminist. In fact, I am against feminism in most of its forms. I am especially against liberation theology, which is what feminist theology is part of.


However, this is a great reference work for those who are interested in the topic of Gnostic influences in Christianity and the rise of neo-Gnosticism.


A warning, though, for those who are orthodox in their faith. You will see pretty much every heretical doctrine about the person of Christ, the Trinity, Christology, and more explained and defended by the authors of these articles.

Even so, for the Evangelical it should show you where some of the doctrines are coming from that are being promoted openly even in Evangelical feminism. It is a dangerous, toxic book for those who accept its tenents.

It may be eye-opening for some, as it has been for me. It confirmed for me the real origins of some of the things that I was seeing defended even by Christian feminists and their unwitting sympathizers.

No, not all egalitarians are guilty of this, so I don't want to paint with too broad a brush. Dorothy L. Sayers was one who in her time staunchly defended orthodoxy, for example. There are others.

So, I give 5 stars for the quality of scholarship and writing. I give strong cautions because of the toxic nature of what the authors are defending.