Sharing Her Word

Schussler Fiorenza (In Memory of Her) capitalizes on her previous works in this volume of feminist biblical interpretation, insisting that it is no longer enough for women to seek integration by entering into a male-dominated academy or church. She argues that ""feminist biblical interpretation must position itself within wo/men's struggles for survival and against structures of injustice and exploitation."" Her seven chapters center around her interpretations of Wisdom-Sophia (Wisdom is the Old Testament image of the feminine aspect of God, while Sophia is the the corresponding New Testament image) found in the book of Proverbs and the Wisdom of Solomon. For example, reading the Bible in a global context, she contends, is the Public forum of Sophia. She uses the story of the Syrophoenician woman (Mark 7:24; Matthew 15:21-28) and its diverse, often contradictory, interpretations to demonstrate how biblical texts must be scrutinized to determine how they promote a ""dehumanizing religious vision that legitimates injustice and oppression."" In the course of the book, Schussler Fiorenza also uses the Wisdom-Sophia image as the starting point for her discussions of domestic violence, women's liberation theology and biblical interpretation. This book serves as both a review and introduction to Schussler Fiorenza's other books. As in all her works, her discussion is engaging, provocative and challenging. (June)