Gender and the Nicene Creed [Paperback]

Elizabeth Geitz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1995

In this comprehensive reflection on the Nicene Creed, Geitz looks to the writings of theologians, mystics and scholars throughout the centuries for a balanced and scholarly approach to an often divisive issue for Christians.

"My desire is to help us move from an initial emotional response to feminine traditions of the church," writes Geitz, "to one that is based on sound biblical, historical and theological principles."

Ideal for use in adult education classes, the book contains a chapter-by-chapter guide for group study and discussion, complete with handouts.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A serious and penetrating reflection, practical and popular but at the same time academically responsible...solid research and careful reasoning...This book helps people to understand what are the underlying issues in the contemporary debate over inclusive language...It is even more helpful for this purpose that the study materials that have so far been provided by those who are officially charged with this process." -- Anglican Theological Review

"Elizabeth Geitz has done a beautiful job in recovering that which has been lost and found and lost again and again - feminine attributes of God and some important feminine traditions of Christianity. I, for one, am gratefully in her debt." -- The Rev. William Sloane Coffin, author of A Passion for the Possible

"Horizons are broadened and wider perspectives are offered...Anyone who is seriously considering the Christian creedal tradition...will need to read this book before a responsible conclusion can be formed." -- The Rev. Canon J. Robert Wright, D. Phil., The General Theological Seminary

"I recommend Geitz' work both for learning and for a not-so-gentle nudge to live what we profess in the Nicene Creed to believe. -- Bishop Jane Holmes Dixon

"I sent my copy of this interesting book to a holy woman, 50 years in vows, who intuited the conclusion long ago and who will be happy to read all about it." -- National Catholic Reporter

"I was swept up by the author's scholarly yet very readable style...Geitz uncovers and recovers lost tradition making the Creed spring to new life and deeper meaning for the reader. It has enriched both my understanding of the faith and my corporate worship." -- Washington Diocese Newspaper

"Theologically sound...mediating in tone, irenic in spirit...quite accessible and readable...distinctive within its genre...I know of no such other book." -- Dr. Timothy Sedgwick, Seabury-Western Theological Seminary

... Geitz is a good guide for all who want to live the fulless of Christian faith as twentieth-century women. -- The Rev. Patricia Wilson-Kastner, Ph.D., and author of Faith, Feminism, and the Christ

... mediating in tone, irenic in spirit... accessible and readable... distinctive... I know of no such other book. -- Timothy Sedgwick, Ph.D., Professor of church Ethics and Moral Theology, Seabury-Western Theological Seminary, Evanston, IL

About the Author

ELIZABETH R. GEITZ is an Episcopal priest and the Canon for Ministry Development in the Diocese of New Jersey. She is the author of several books, including Soul Satisfaction, Drawing Strength from our Biblical Mothers and Sisters and Fireweed Evangelism: Christian Hospitality in a Multi-Faith World. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 147 pages
• Publisher: Abingdon Press (November 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 081921647X
• ISBN-13: 978-0819216472
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,246,628 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Elizabeth Geitz was born in Clarksville, Tennessee. A graduate of Vanderbilt University, her books have been hailed by people as diverse as Desmond Tutu, John Berendt, Helen Prejean, and Phyllis Tickle. With a focus on spirituality and justice, her writings speak to people of passion who want to make a difference in the world.

An Episcopal priest and newspaper columnist, Elizabeth's newest book, I Am That Child: Changing Hearts and Changing the World, chronicles her odyssey to a Cameroonian orphanage in West Africa. She lives in the Delaware Highlands of Pennsylvania with her husband, Michael. Visit her at www.elizabethgeitz.com. She'd love too hear from you!

Elizabeth's favorite sport? Shooting Sporting Clays
Little known fact about Elizabeth? She won $10,000 on the $20,000 Pyramid with Dick Clarke.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful, January 11, 2011

By 

C. Elizabeth - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gender and the Nicene Creed (Paperback)

I had no idea there were so many feminine images for God and Jesus in the Christian tradition until I read Gender and the Nicene Creed. When will these images be reflected in the liturgy of our churches? Women have been waiting for over 2,000 years. Enough is enough! Kudos to Elizabeth Geitz for the highly readable, informative resource.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars eye opener, January 24, 2011

By 

gthall - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gender and the Nicene Creed (Paperback)

Why is exclusively male imagery for God used in the Nicene Creed? As a man, I find my life and perspective enriched
by feminine images of God and Jesus. Where have they been all my life? Since reading Elizabeth Geitz's Gender and the Nicene Creed, I now know that they've always been part of the Judeo-Christian tradition. I only wish they had been more visible. This book has been a real eye opener for me.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A provocative reiteration, January 24, 2011

By 

James Weis (New York City, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gender and the Nicene Creed (Paperback)

I was a fallen-away Catholic for many years until about a decade ago when I fortunately found my way back to the solemnity of beautiful Sunday mornings sitting in churches and reflecting, meditating on my past, present and future. In this course I discovered the Episcopal Church as a wonderful and thought-provoking alternative and now i attend whichever one is nearby when I am at home or on the road.

From the time I was a child in parochial school I was taught that God was not man, not woman, but God. We were taught that we are human and God is divine. It is so hard to understand divinity from a human standpoint and this beautifully researched and well-written book demonstrates all that I was taught; that God created us in his Image. Man created the word "his" and over the centuries man has attributed the gender of "Man" to include all human beings. but along the way we lost track and have made God out to be a man.

"Gender in the Nicene Creed" reinforces what God meant when He created us: all human beings are created equal.

Thanks to Ms. Geitz for bringing us back to a 'point of order', so to speak, as her research proves to the reader that woman is also God. Therefore God is also woman.

James Weis