Synopses & Reviews
Vulnerability and risk are global realities. Violence, genocide, famine, and natural disaster indicate the complex vulnerability of earthly existence expressed by the biblical depiction of humans as fragile "earthen vessels." Culp demonstrates how the entire world is vulnerable to transformation as well as destruction and offers a theological account of how vulnerability is the very basis for life before God. Only when we are truly vulnerable can we witness the grace and glory of God manifested through our resistance to inhumanity, testimony in the midst of suffering, and expressions of delight and gratitude for the good gifts of life.
Synopsis
Disasters indicate the complex peril of earthly existence. Suffering and risk are global realities. Yet, the biblical depiction of persons and communities as "earthen vessels" also suggests that vulnerable creatures can be strengthened to receive and bear the grace and glory of God. Culp demonstrates how vulnerability to devastation and to transformation is the very basis for life before God. The glory of God may be witnessed in resistance to inhumanity and idolatry, and expressed in delight and gratitude for the good gifts of life.
About the Author
Kristine Culp is associate professor of theology at the University of Chicago Divinity School. She works in constructive theology, especially in relation to feminist theologies and theology in North America. She has written on protest and resistance as theological themes, the use of fiction in theological thinking, a theology of Christian community, feminist and womanist theologies, and "experience" in contemporary theology. She is the editor of the LTE book The Responsibility of the Church for Society and Other Essays by H. Richard Niebuhr.