God's Abounding Kindness

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Elizabeth Johnson



If you're looking for a book to stretch your mind and your image of God, I highly recommend Elizabeth  Johnson's Abounding in Kindness. Johnson, a contemporary Catholic theologian, has compiled a number of lectures and articles in this excellent book. The main sections deal with the God of heaven and earth, Jesus the Word made flesh, and the Spirit of divine love.

In her introduction Johnson states the theme of her writings: "the overflowing compassion of the living God engaged with the struggles and suffering of the world." Her intention is to make the "abounding kindness and fidelity of God" more concrete and understandable.
Johnson's feminist vision of God may be shocking to some, but when she elaborates on how Scripture contains feminine metaphors of God (cf. Deut. 32:18, Is. 42:14, Is. 6:14, John 16:21) and how patriarchy has clouded our concept of God, it is hard to find fault with her arguments. She emphasizes that  God is a God of life, who wants everyone to be liberated from the shackles of poverty and unjust structures. Since women have been the most oppressed people in the world, especialy in the areas of education, economic equality, and deaths in childbirth, it is no wonder that she underscores their reality.

For those who may have outdated or erroneous views from earlier education, this book brings a burst of energy and vitality to our faith. The biblical research that scholars have done on God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit bring a richness not always understood. Johnson's clear and insightful writing makes that richness available to non-theologians.

Johnson recently retired from teaching at Fordham University in New York. She has written several other books including She Who Is, Quest for the Living God, and Ask the Beasts.

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