Divine Words, Female Voices: Conversation and Book Launch with Dr. Jerusha Tanner Rhodes

Divine Words, Female Voices: Conversation and Book Launch with Dr. Jerusha Tanner Rhodes
September 26, 2018, 6:00 – 8:00PM
Union Theological Seminary, Social Hall

The relationship between Islam and feminism is complex. There are many Muslim scholars who fervently promote women’s equality. At the same time, there is ambivalence regarding the general norms, terminology, and approaches of feminism and feminist theology. This ambivalence is in large part a product of various hegemonic, androcentric, and patriarchal discourses that seek to dictate legitimate and authoritative interpretations. These discourses not only fuel ambivalence, they also effectively obscure valuable possibilities related to interreligious feminist engagement.

In this lecture, Dr. Rhodes will discuss her new book – Divine Words, Female Voices: Muslims Explorations in Comparative Feminist Theology (Oxford University Press, 2018) – which argues that interreligious feminist engagement is both a theologically valid endeavor and a vital resource for Muslim women scholars. She will discuss how comparative feminist theology leads to new, constructive Muslima and Islamic feminist positions on topics including revelation, scripture, feminist exemplars, theological anthropology, and ritual practice. 

Books will be available for purchase. ($40, Cash only)
Light refreshments will be served.

Jerusha T. Rhodes is Assistant Professor of Islam and Ministry at Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York. Her research focuses on theologies of religious pluralism, comparative theology, and Muslima theology. She also serves at the Director of Union’s Islam, Social Justice, and Interreligious Engagement Program.