The Cappadocian Mothers: Deification Exemplified in the Writings of Basil, Gregory, and Gregory

Reviews of The Cappadocian Mothers: Deification Exemplified in the Writings of Basil, Gregory, and Gregory

'Carla Sunberg has crafted a significant piece of historical retrieval. She has mined the writings of fourth-century Cappadocian Fathers to learn of the significant witness and influence of the women who helped shape their understanding of how one becomes a participant in the divine nature. Her meticulous research demonstrates that without these mothers in faith, the fathers would lack living witnesses for their formulation of early Christian understandings of Christology, mystical theology, and Trinitarian construction. Besides, these remarkable women challenged regnant notions of the inferiority of women. Sunberg has bridged a major gap in scholarship, and the whole church will profit.'-Molly T. Marshall, Central Seminary'Carla Sunberg presents powerful examples of women–mothers and sisters–who embodied and taught theosis. . . . The Cappadocian Mothers will inspire all who seek to live holy, Christlike lives, full of love.'- Don Thorsen, Azusa Pacific University Seminary'In this volume on the Cappadocian Mothers, Carla Sunberg has provided a great gift to the modern church. . . . While the first part is a treasure trove of ancient wisdom, the latter part 'brings it home' to the life of contemporary Christians. Sunberg addresses issues such as gender and class equality, women in ministry leadership, as well as how the life of theosis is grounded in the Christian household.'- Cheryl Bridges Johns, Pentecostal Theological Seminary'This informative, well-researched, and accessible volume is important for women and men, pastors and teachers, historians and storytellers.'- MaryAnn Hawkins, Anderson University School of Theology and Christian Ministry'Carla Sunberg presents powerful examples of women – mothers and sisters – who embodied and taught theosis, sometimes translated from the Greek as 'deification,' or growth in holiness, Christ-likeness, and love. We've only recently become aware of these ancient church women, and Sunberg unveils how their lives and teachings embody spiritually formative practices relevant today. The Cappadocian Mothers will inspire all who seek to live holy, Christ-like lives, full of love.'- Don Thorsen, Professor of Theology, Azusa Pacific University Seminary'Well-versed in feminist hermeneutical methodology, Carla Sundberg has crafted a significant piece of historical retrieval. She has mined the writings of fourth-century Cappadocian Fathers to learn of the significant witness and influence of the women who helped shape their understanding of how one becomes a participant in the divine nature. Her meticulous research demonstrates that without these mothers in faith, the fathers would lack living witnesses for their formulation of early Christian understandings of Christology, mystical theology, and Trinitarian construction. Besides, these remarkable women challenged regnant notions of the inferiority of women. Sandberg has bridged a major gap in scholarship, and the whole church will profit.'- Molly T. Marshall, President, Professor of Theology and Spiritual Formation, Central Seminary'History has provided stories of the men who became heroes of the Christian faith in Cappadocia. Stories of the women were simply pushed aside, partly because of the culture of the fourth-century Roman Empire. Dr. Carla Sunberg brings to the forefront seven women who had significant impact on those men church history has hailed as heroes. But it isn't just that these women influenced the patristic church; rather, they're lives were used as illustrations of theosis, 'Christ in me the hope of glory': our human process of becoming like Christ as we seek to follow Christ closely. This informative, well-researched, and accessible volume is important for women and men, pastors and teachers, historians and storytellers.'- MaryAnn Hawkins, Dean, Anderson University School of Theology and Christian Ministry'In this volume on The Cappadocian Mothers, Carla Sunberg has provided a great gift to the modern church, and its release cannot be more timely. At the dawn of the twenty-first century, the ancient Cappadocian witness of the possibility of living a life characterized by ever-greater participation in God speaks to a growing hunger among Christians for living and vibrant faith. In addition to this hunger for knowing and living in God, there are many of us who hunger to hear the voices of our mothers in the faith as well as the voices of our fathers. While the first part of The Cappadocian Mothers is a treasure trove of ancient wisdom, the latter part 'brings it home' to the life of contemporary Christians. Sunberg addresses issues such as gender and class equality, women in ministry leadership, as well as how the life of theosis is grounded in the Christian household.'- Cheryl Bridges Johns, Robert E. Fisher Chair of Spiritual Renewal & Christian Formation, Pentecostal Theological Seminary