Models of God: Theology for an Ecological, Nuclear Age

by Sallie McFague

Overview

In this award-winning text, theologian Sallie McFague challenges Christians' usual speech about God as a kind of monarch. She probes instead three other possible metaphors for Godas mother, lover, and friend.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780800620516
Publisher:	1517 Media
Publication date:	08/01/1987
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	240
Sales rank:	689,686
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.94(d)

About the Author

Sallie McFaguewas the Carpenter Professor of Theology at VanderbiltDivinity School, where she taught for thirty years. She is now Distinguished Theologian in Residence at the Vancouver School of Theology in Vancouver, British Columbia. Among her many influential works, all from Fortress Press, are:

Life Abundant: Rethinking Theology and Economy for a Planet in Peril (2000)

Super, Natural Christians: How We Should Love Nature (1997)

The Body of God: An Ecological Theology (1993)

Models of God: Theology for an Ecological, Nuclear Age (1987), which received the American Academy of Religion's Award for Excellence

Metaphorical Theology: Models of God in Religious Language (1982)

"Sallie McFague is a prominent figure among the growing number of theologians who have been attempting to rethink the Christian understanding of God's and humanity's place in the physical world."

-Chronicle of Higher Education

"The power of McFague's work is in its ability to speak to the American Protestant mainstream, challenging Christians with models of God that reflect both ecological sensitivity and concern for justice."

-Sharon Welch, Harvard Divinity School

Table of Contents

Preface

Part One

Theology for an Ecological, Nuclear Age

1. A New Sensibility

A Holisitc View of Reality

The Nuclear Nightmare

Theological Construction

2. Metaphorical Theology

Metaphors, Models, and Concepts

Sources and Resources: Scripture, Tradition, and Experience

The Christian Paradigm

3. God and the World

The Monarchical Model

The World as God's Body

God as Mother, Lover, Friend

Part Two

Models of God for an Ecological, Nuclear Age

Introductions

4. God as Mother

The Love of God as Mother: Agape

The Activity of God as Mother: Creating

The Ethic of God as Mother: Justice

5. God as Lover

The Love of God as Lover: Eros

The Activity of God as Lover: Saving

The Ethic of God as Lover: Healing

6. God as Friend

The Lover of God as Friend: Philia

The Activity of God as Friend: Sustaining

The Ethic of God as Friend: Companionship

Conclusion

Notes