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The 'Feminine Devine'
Frustration with the conventional description of God in exclusively male terms led Gisborne grandmother Catherine Chrisp on a search for knowledge about 'the feminine divine'.
That search has resulted in her writing a fast-selling book called 'Travelling with Sophia - Encountering the Feminine Divine.' Catherine began her research when her children were young, as she became aware that her womanhood was not being reflected in the mainstream Presbyterian church she and her husband attended.
"I started reading a lot of feminist Christian books, by Elizabeth Radford Ruether, Elizabeth Fiorenza and others." Evidence of goddess worship in the Israelite tradition dates back to the 12th century BC, but was largely driven underground by the 6th century BC, she says. References to the (arguably) female principle of Sophia, or wisdom, remain in the Old Testament and some of them are outlined in Chrisp's book. Connections are also found with Jesus in the New Testament.
Chrisp has read widely, studied religion at university, travelled and linked up with others internationally. "I started writing in the first place, thinking of my grand-daughters. I wanted them to know a bit more about how I see myself and God."
Her book is an easy-to-read overview, with suggested activities and reflections aimed at assisting individuals or groups (including men) to dwell on wisdom principles personally and to seek the feminine divine within themselves.
The informal font and line drawings enhance the accessibility and pleasure the book affords. It was released late last year, and several hundred copies have sold already. (Women's Resource Centre, Auckland, $20)