The Feminine Face of Christianity

Early Christianity was fundamentally egalitarian but later influences conspired to curtail the role of women in the Church. This text seeks to reclaim the gender-balanced Christianity implicit in the Gospels. It takes a historical look at the profound influence of women on the development of the Christian faith and uncovers a wealth of feminine symbols and icons found in Christianity, exploring their influence on architecture, literature and art. Comprehensive and challenging, this work presents women of faith who have led by example, and whose powerful messages are still relevant today. Martyrs, mystics, scholars, activists, virgins, wives and mothers - they incarnate the great themes of Christianity: the presence of the Spirit and the sanctity of human life. The book details how issues of social justice and environmental concerns can provide a platform for Christian women's voices in the modern world.