Nevertheless, We Persist: A Feminist Public Theology - by Rosemary P Carbine (Paperback)

About the Book

"Examines the impact of feminist and womanist theologies on public theology"--

Book Synopsis

Elaborates an innovative feminist theological approach to the public church and to the praxis of public theology as ekklesial work, that is, creating community or creating a shared public life; it constructs and then applies this approach to identify and interpret theological claims (imago Dei, Christology, ecclesiology) and practices of public engagement (rhetorical, symbolic, and prophetic) exemplified mainly but not only by Christian social justice leaders and movements.

Drawing on major figures in feminist and womanist theologies as well as public theology, Nevertheless, We Persist examines a rich range of historical and contemporary faith-based movements such as the Catholic Worker, the Civil Rights Movement, United Farm Workers, and The Plowshares Movement. Each chapter ends with a contemporary social movement that continues and radicalizes a part of an earlier movement but in more multifaith ways in order to redress the increasing fracture of US public life in our time, such as the Revolutionary Love Project, The Poor People's Campaign, The New Sanctuary Movement, and Green Nuns. The book concludes with a contemporary case study of feminist intersectional and interfaith justice, drawing out insights from NETWORK's Nuns on the Bus for the future ekklesial work of feminist public theology to create community and to construct a shared public life that expands beyond single social issues and religions.

From the Back Cover

RELIGION / Christian Theology / General

RELIGION / Christian Living / Women's Interests

RELIGION / Christian Living / Social Issues

Cover image: "Companion: Mary Magdalene with Joanna and Susanna (The Succession of Mary Magdalene)" by Janet McKenzie

Cover design: Ponie Sheehan

Review Quotes

"In Nevertheless, We Persist, Rosemary Carbine explores contemporary public theology from a feminist perspective. . . . This exploration of public witness is nourishment for Gospel living in challenging times." -Simone Campbell, SSS, 2022 Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient

"Weaving together insights from Vatican II, feminist and womanist theologies of sacramentality, and a relational theological anthropology, Rosemary Carbine persuasively argues for enlarging the field of public theology. Her dramatic testimonies of 'ekklesial work' present the profound challenges on how to 'remake the public' while still sustaining hope in an increasingly complex world. Anyone who hungers for solidarity in our deeply fractured society will find both insightful encouragement and effective practical strategies that explain why 'nevertheless, we persist!'" -Mary Ann Hinsdale, IHM, Boston College

"By asking much needed and decisive theological questions, Rosemary Carbine lays the foundation for a feminist public theology, one grounded in rhetorical, symbolic, and prophetic practices. This well-researched book is a must read for all who want to reimagine the 'relationship between Christianity and US public life' in a manner that takes seriously the pressing issues of our time." -Nancy Pineda-Madrid, T. Marie Chilton Chair of Catholic Theology, Loyola Marymount University

"Rosemary Carbine re-ignites hope for a radically inclusive society and church. . . . Carbine offers a richly sourced text that uses paired 20th and 21st century social movements to highlight the anthropology, Christology, and eschatology of the ekklesial work of wo/men that embody the rhetorical, symbolic, and prophetic practices of a public theology that prioritizes suffering people, critiques present injustice, and 'edges toward' a more just future." -Elena G. Procario-Foley, Br. John G. Driscoll Professor of Jewish-Catholic Studies, Iona University

About the Author

Rosemary P. Carbine is associate professor of religious studies, Whittier College, CA. She holds master's and doctoral degrees in theology from the University of Chicago Divinity School, is a former co-chair of the Feminist Theory and Religious Reflection Unit of the American Academy of Religion and is former convener of Theological Anthropology and the Women's Consultation in Constructive Theology, Catholic Theological Society of America (CTSA). Currently, Carbine is an editorial team member and edits the Winter issue of the international journal Critical Theology and convenes the Public Theology Interest Group in the CTSA.

Cover image: "Companion: Mary Magdalene with Joanna and Susanna (The Succession of Mary Magdalene)" by Janet McKenzie