Abstract

The article argues on behalf of a neglected tradition of feminist engagement with orthodox Christian theological themes, which deserves recognition as an aspect of feminist theology. As a preface to this argument, the heritage and current vibrancy of feminist liberation theology as a struggle for justice is first affirmed, then Christian theological currents are mapped by means of crosscutting coordinates. Evidence of feminist engagement across this theological map, and of the map operating within feminist theology, is presented to show that feminist theology exceeds its mainstream identity as a liberation theology, and to reject the notion of liberation theology as a successor theology. The core of the article begins with Woodhead's neo-orthodox critique of feminist theology and responds in two ways: by identifying an existing feminist engagement with orthodoxy which is ignored by Woodhead; and by reading the texts she criticizes as imaginative revisitings of core Christian themes. The creative potential of imaginative revisiting of orthodox themes is further explored, concluding with a parable of the prodigal daughter.