Living a Theology of Gender
- Theology
- World Religions
- Publisher: Baker Academic (Baker Publishing Group)
- Published: 2026
FritzSearch.com earns a commission on purchases made through Bookshop.org links.
Publisher's Description
What in the world is gender? Whatever it is, it must be something in the world. That, however, is not how theologians have talked about gender. Much work has been done in recent years on the theology of gender. But unfortunately, much of it is abstract, otherworldly, and largely disconnected from the real lives we live as gendered people interacting with a whole host of concrete, gendered goods. Living a Theology of Gender steps into this gap by analyzing the gendered goods that inhabit our world and shape us, such as politics, marketing, clothing, food, dating relationships, and friendships. Using the tools of moral theology, this book shrinks the distance between gender theory and gendered practice. Fellipe do Vale builds on his well-received Gender as Love, moving from theory and theology to practical moral guidance. He engages the two theological tasks he views as necessary components of thinking about gender: the descriptive (what is) and the normative (what should be). In the latter, he employs both a theology of the resurrected body and a theology of human love. He argues that our loves shape us and that Christian discipleship requires rightly ordering our loves, including in this arena of gender. This much-needed analysis will become a key resource in Christian ethics.
Endorsements (2)
“In recent decades, most discussions of gender have focused attention on outlier cases, lending an abstractness to discussions of gender that seem simultaneously to demand that Christians take a position in the culture wars and yet to be far removed from ordinary Christians' daily lives. Fellipe do Vale brings the discussion back down to earth with nuance and theological acumen by lingering over the mundane daily practices through which everyone's gender identities are filled out. A lucid and practically helpful contribution to a fraught discussion.”
“Finally, a theology of gender that is practicable in real life and offers an alternative to the reductionistic debates! Fellipe do Vale's Living a Theology of Gender is an excellent resource that goes beyond prescriptions, prompting reflection for discernment in everyday contexts. Drawing on Augustine, do Vale challenges us to consider how and why we love particular social goods. He moves beyond abstract theology to contemplate our relationships with politics, marketing, clothing, food, and other things that shape gender identity in daily life. How might our affections communicate love of God, neighbor, enemy, and self? Importantly, do Vale brings much-needed compassion into the conversation by being realistic about the gap between the imperfect world we live in now and the world we long for in the age to come. This book accomplishes a rare feat in challenging people on all sides to reflect on their loves in light of God.”
See something wrong on this page? Report a problem