May 10, 2005

MINNEAPOLIS – In Radical Wisdom: A Feminist Mystical Theology, Beverly J. Lanzetta illuminates the transformative potential of the classical tradition of women mystics, especially in light of contemporary violence against women around the world. Focusing on the contemplative process as women's journey from oppression to liberation, Lanzetta draws especially on the mysticism of Julian of Norwich and Teresa of Avila. She lays out the contemplative techniques used by mystics to achieve their highest spiritual potential and also investigates how unjust social and political conditions afflict women's souls. Lanzetta identifies a specific historical female path (the via feminine) and draws contemporary conclusions for how women might understand their bodies, their rights, and their ethics.

"Radical Wisdom presents challenging perspectives on feminism and mysticism that are refreshingly new and daring. . . . Lanzetta's meditative study explores with deep sensitivity and urgent social concern the innermost spiritual oppression of women's souls and bodies." –Ursula King, Professor Emerita and Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Gender and Religious Research, University of London.

"There is a classic statement in the wisdom of the spiritual life that if you need a spiritual guide, the guide will appear. Such a guide is Beverly Lanzetta and her wisdom is richly contained in her present book. She knows profoundly what she calls the ‘via feminina' in its classical form of Teresa of Avila and Julian of Norwich and how it appears in the spirituality of women in our time. She writes with penetrating depth and with firm yet sensitive authority. Her wisdom illumines the way of both women and men to become companions on their mutual spiritual journey in the present and into the future." –Ewert Cousins, Professor Emeritus of Theology, Fordham University, and General Editor of World Spirituality.

"Radical Wisdom is a beautifully written, original, and luminous study of women's mystical experience in the Christian tradition. Lanzetta's engaged, open-hearted response to these mystics is refreshing and encouraging. . . . A compelling and significant work." –Douglas Burton-Christie, Professor of Christian Spirituality, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles.

"Lanzetta's Radical Wisdom is a feminist revisioning of mysticism. Going beyond both the positive and the negative paths of the mystical journey, Lanzetta proposes a ‘via feminina' that can heal the deep spiritual wounds of patriarchy and transform women's inner and outer humanity in holistic relation to others-men and women, God and the cosmos." –Rosemary Radford Ruether, Carpenter Professor of Feminist Theology, Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley.

Beverly J. Lanzetta is Research Associate, Southwest Institute for Research on Women, University of Arizona. Among her publications are The Other Side of Nothingness: Toward a Theology of Radical Openness (2001) and Path of the Heart (1986).

Format: Paperback, 6" x 9," 168 pages; Item No: 080063698-8; Price: $22.00 Publisher: Fortress Press, Minneapolis, MN.

To order Radical Wisdom call Fortress Press at 1-800-328-4648 or visit the web site at http://www.augsburgfortress.com/.

Fortress Press