Finding Our Voices: Women, Wisdom, and Faith

by Patricia O'Connell Killen

"Wise faith," Patricia Killen writes, "is not the faith of little girls or of male-defined women . . . I believe it is what most women who remain within the Christian denominations seek: a faith that creatively confronts the death-dealing and the life-giving aspects in our Christian heritage, that finds healthy and nurturing ways to reconceive and relate to that tradition, and that uncovers possibilities for fuller life."

Insightful reflection questions...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0824516109
• ISBN13: 9780824516109
• Release Date: December 1997
• Publisher: Crossroad Publishing
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 0.61 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.1" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Renegotiating your relationship with your tradition

Killen's book answers the question, "What does a woman do when she becomes aware of her frustration with her religious tradition?" Her response is the need to grow in "wise faith" -- a faith that acknowledges both the death-dealing and life-giving elements in one's tradition, and finds healthy ways to reconceive and relate to that tradition. A wise woman who has achieved her own voice has renegotiated her relationship with her Christian heritage. The eight chapters of the book are based on Killen's seminars and retreats and would be good for days of reflection or for a series of discussions in a women's group, particularly if the group includes women who feel newly alienated from or disillusioned by the institutional church. For women who have already achieved a degree of "wise faith," the book can serve as review and reminder that growing room remains. Each chapter ends with reflection questions that apply the contents of the chapter to one's own life. An excellent combining, overall, of insights from spirituality, psychology, biblical studies, and theology.

Inspiring for women struggling with patriarchy

This book reflects the contemporary struggle of women who are searching to move beyond the "dry land" of the Christian tradition. Killen effectively takes the reader through the powerful recognition that the pain of exclusion is itself giving women voice in our time. This is hopeful for women who want more from the tradition, spiritually, emotionally and psychologically. A feminist theology class recently read this book. The discussions were rich and gave courage (and voice) to the participants. A must-read for all who journey through patriarchy on the way to redemption.