Embracing Travail

By Cynthia S.W. Crysdale

Book Overview

Christian feminist theologians have expanded notions of God, conscience and preaching by incorporating into Christian consciousness the unacknowledged experience of women. In this work, theologian Cynthia Crysdale explores the mystery of redemption through the central Christian symbol of the cross. Traditionally the cross has been understood by male theologians as redeeming humankind from sin as arrogant ambition. Yet the difficulties of understanding sin primarily in this way has been recognized for several decades. Using an approach that is analytical and anecdotal, theological and personal, Crysdale argues that by virtue of life experience people enter the drama of the cross and resurrection at different points; some through repentance seeking forgiveness, others through a couragous claiming of self-identity, seeking healing.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0826413099
• ISBN13: 9780826413093
• Release Date: June 2001
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.78 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

revelatory and insightful

Crysdale emphasizes non-dualism, encouraging the embracing of struggles and suffering in an honest way. She brings a feminist perspective that is fresh and yet non-militant, only non-hierarchical. She calls the human person to grapple with the perpetrator and victim that dwells within each of us. Her treatment of the victim/perpetrator dualism breeds compassion and by that I speak of compassion as defined by Chogyam Trungpa . . . the compassion that requires we do what is necessary, even when it is not pleasant. I only wish Crysdale would have written more. I used her as a major source in my thesis project

Understanding the Paradox

I have spent 20 years of my life working with young people and adults who have been victims of violence and oppression as well as with the perpetrators of violence. As I read this book, I found their stories and experiences throughout its pages. They are the stories of persons who walk through the doors of the church every day. Crysdale gives a theological framework to understand the experience of victimization. She opens up and illustrates the paradox that leads to true healing and growth.

A Splendid Discussion on the Meaning of the Cross of Christ

This book is written in an engaging style utilizing concerete stories of suffering, nonviolence and hope to illustrate the keen theological insights of the work. I found the discussion on Walter Wink's work and the nonviolent cross to be exceptionally clear for those who have not been exposed to Wink's work. I was very impressed by the feminist perspective that permeated the book that should serve as a corrective to hierarchial and patriarchial tendencies in seminary theological training. I hope that this book will find wide readership in the theological community and among lay persons.

Approaching the cross as both a crucifier and as crucified

Crysdale uses personal stories and clear, coherently written theology to forward her feminist interpretation of the doctrine of the atonement. Only by embracing travail -- joy and sorrow, the sense of being a crucifier as well as being one of the crucified -- can we retrieve a meaningful notion of what Jesus' death on the cross means.