Grace Ji-Sun Kim: Feminist Christology
Homebrewed Christianity
Intro
This chapter explores the intersection of feminist thought and Christology, emphasizing how women's experiences can redefine traditional theological concepts. It proposes an inclusive theological framework that embraces diverse voices and challenges established norms within faith communities.
In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Grace Ji-Sun Kim's to discuss Feminist Christology. We explore the importance of retrieving feminine imagery of God and Jesus through the biblical wisdom figure Sophia. She argues that despite Jesus's historical maleness, a feminist Christological approach is essential for contemporary Christianity because it challenges 2000 years of patriarchal interpretations and creates more inclusive understandings of the divine. The conversation traces Sophia's development across Hebrew Scripture, demonstrating how early Christians identified Jesus with this feminine divine figure, particularly in Paul's letters, Matthew, and John. Kim connects Sophia with Asian religious concepts like prajna, suggesting that this wisdom Christology offers liberating possibilities for Korean North American women navigating bicultural identities. She points out that feminist theologians are not inventing new concepts but reclaiming a significant biblical tradition that portrays God's presence in feminine imagery, which was largely eclipsed in later Christian history due to patriarchal influences.
You can WATCH the conversation on YouTube
Grace Ji-Sun Kim is a professor of theology at Earlham School of Religion and host of the Madang podcast.
Previous Episodes with Grace
- When God Became White
- Surviving God
- Godly QnA
- a Theology of Visibility
- What is Intersectional Theology?
- The Prophetic Life of the Spirit
- Embracing the Other and Reading the Bible
- Keeping Hope Alive
To get Grace's lecture and four more, join the class,The Many Faces of Christ Today.
Upcoming Online Class: Rediscovering the Spirit: Hand-Raisers, Han, & the Holy Ghost
"Rediscovering the Spirit: Hand-Raisers, Han, and the Holy Ghost" is an open-online course exploring the dynamic, often overlooked third person of the Trinity. Based on Grace Ji-Sun Kim's groundbreaking work on the Holy Spirit (pneumatology), this class takes participants on a journey through biblical foundations, historical developments, diverse cultural perspectives, and practical applications of Spirit theology. Moving beyond traditional Western theological frameworks, we'll explore feminist interpretations, global perspectives, and innovative approaches to understanding the Spirit in today's world. Whether you've felt the Spirit was missing from your faith journey or are simply curious to deepen your understanding, this class creates space for thoughtful discussion, personal reflection, and spiritual growth.
As always, this class is donation-based, including 0. To get class info and sign up, head over here.
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