Metaphorical Theology

Sallie McFaguewas the Carpenter Professor of Theology at VanderbiltDivinity School, where she taught for thirty years. She is now Distinguished Theologian in Residence at the Vancouver School of Theology in Vancouver, British Columbia. Among her many influential works, all from Fortress Press, are: Life Abundant: Rethinking Theology and Economy for a Planet in Peril (2000) Super, Natural Christians: How We Should Love Nature (1997) The Body of God: An Ecological Theology (1993) Models of God: Theology for an Ecological, Nuclear Age (1987), which received the American Academy of Religion's Award for Excellence Metaphorical Theology: Models of God in Religious Language (1982) "Sallie McFague is a prominent figure among the growing number of theologians who have been attempting to rethink the Christian understanding of God's and humanity's place in the physical world." -Chronicle of Higher Education "The power of McFague's work is in its ability to speak to the American Protestant mainstream, challenging Christians with models of God that reflect both ecological sensitivity and concern for justice." -Sharon Welch, Harvard Divinity School

Preface Preface to the Second Printing 1. Toward a Metaphorical Theology The Problem of Religious Language The Idolatry of Religious Language The Irrelevance of Religious Language Can Religious Language Be Revitalized? Metaphorical Theology 2. Metaphor, Parable, and Scripture Metaphor Parable Scripture 3. Models in Science Models in the Social Sciences and Technology Natural Science, the Humanities, and the Imagination Paradigms Types of Models and Two Views of Models in Science Central Insights from Scientific Models Pertinent to Theology 4. Models in Theology Differences Between Scientific and Theological Models Parable, Paradigm, and Root-Metaphor in Christianity Creeds: Models or Dogmas? Models and Concepts The Truth of Theological Models Criteria for Theological Models 5. God the Father: Model or Idol? Partriarchy in Perspective Revolutionary Feminist Theology: A new Paradigm and a new Model Reformist Feminist Theology: The Search for New Models God the Friend Conclusion Notes Index of Authors