Since we started the blog over a year ago I've come across the network of theology blogs out there in the world. As most of you know, I love theology so getting into the mind of those asking great questions and engaging in conversation seemed like a great thing.
Those which I tap into a lot are the musings of a post-liberal person usually emerging from evangelicalism, usually with some advanced theological education. But these blogs aren't written by a "person," they are written by, from what I can gather, white men. It's also interesting that they have all read practically the same books: Lindbeck, Hauerwas, Rowan Williams, Newbigen, Yoder. They spend a lot of time working through these writers, all of whom are also white men. Many of their blogs have completely bombastic names.
It is very rare to find a woman even engaging in these conversations. And the tone of conversation is certainly never like that of the recent NFP discussion here at "further up." I am appreciating Lisa's comment about the personal nature of the conversation. Allowing me some room to exegete that (maybe further than Lisa would want!), good theology requires attention to the ways our bodies are deeply intrinsic to the patterns and habits that constitute common life in the reign of God. Good theology is very much "in here."
This isn't to say that these twenty- and thirty-something men don't have something to contribute to the conversation. But to be comfortable with the complete exclusion of the Lukan voice (racial and ethnic minorities, global church, women, children) seems like a place the church ought not to be. Maybe it's time to start asking new questions or at least where these questions are coming from.
My sensitivity to this has been heightened by Sr. Kathleen McManus, the Dominican sister who teaches my Foundations of Catholic Systematic Theology course. While she works to address the hierarchical oppression in the Catholic church (which is much more overt), what I see from the bloggy guys is a pattern of knowing and expressing knowledge that looks almost the same.
For a while I wondered, where are all the "serious" theologically minded women bloggers? I know women who are theologians and I would love to see what they are writing. Why aren't they getting out there? And if they are out there, why aren't the bloggy guys hooked in?
But could it be that the blog is a form of knowledge creation and expression that is by its nature exclusionary/sexist/racist (anti-feminine)? And what does it mean that I am so addicted to reading these blogs?
Saturday, September 15, 2007
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12 comments:
That's a good question, Melissa, which I too have wondered, albeit from a different location, being male and all. There are some great theo-blogs run by women, and interstingly enough a lot of very very good one run by nuns, many of which are in my blogroll. But you're right, there is a lacuna in the theo-blogosphere in regards to women theologians. Definitely points worth pondering.
And the few theoblogs by women are very much experience-driven theology (like the "becoming a nun" blog").
I don't think the title of my blog is bombastic...
In any case, I do wish that there were more "'serious' theologically minded women bloggers" out there - I would read them. Cynthia Nielsen over at does a good job of carrying the torch.
I was also about to recommend Cynthia's blog, but Travis beat me to it.
your blog name is bombastic. but it has nothing on America's Young Theologian, Dan Morehead. www.americasyoungtheologian.blogspot.com
Thanks for the link to Cynthia.
How is it bombastic, i.e., pretentious? Have you read my explanation of it?
"First, one acquires a certain amount of intellectual cachet when one uses another language in conspicuous ways and far be it from me to surrender credibility that might be obtained through academic posturing. Second, I am currently studying German and one likes to show off knowledge that one has recently gained."
you yourself profess that a German blog title is overblown. this is one of your best and most self-reflective moments. seriously. it is truly a profession of this kind that makes your blog worthy at all.
but to make matters worse, you went to wheaton! you were asking for it. my husband (jacob florer) graduated from there in 2003.
Hah! I think you just got served, Travis. Is my blog title bombastic, Melissa?
Also, see Michael Westmoreland-White's post on women theology bloggers.
Yeah, I got served. I would contest, however, that - by being thus self-reflective, etc. - the accusation of pretension loses its force.
Small world - Wheaties all over the place.
Well, Melissa, at least you inspired me to get back to work a little on my blog.
I hear you. Bob and I were just talking about this a couple weeks ago, after I read the jacket to Nancy Pearcey's book and it made me sad to see her described as "one of the few female intellectuals in evangelicalism." We both agreed that the perspective a woman brings to theology is an important one and needs to heard more. And I'm saying this as a complementarian!
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