Sandra Marie Schneiders

A collection of essays on the Resurrection of Jesus as it is presented in the Gospel of John. All the essays (with the exception of the first chapter) appeared between 2005 and 2011 in various academic journals or books.

Does religious life still make sense today? Author of New Wineskins, Sandra Schneiders began a brilliant yet controversial examination of modern religious life in her acclaimed book Finding the Treasure. That first title located religious life within the multiple realities of today's postmodern world and post-Vatican II Church. This new volume examines today's post-conciliar, post-modern religious life "from the inside," looking at the make-up of religious life's specific identity and how it functions today. She does this through the three lenses of commitment, consecrated celibacy, and community. Through the lens of commitment, Schneiders surveys the process of entering the religious life, from the first experience of a call to a final promise of perpetual profession. She also explores the theological concept of divine call, as well as the psychological and spiritual process of human discernment. And she shows how realistic commitment is possible even in today's world of kaleidoscopic change and instability. Schneiders then examines consecrated celibacy from theological, biblical, and feminist standpoints. Last, she explores the theological and prophetic nature of community life as a Gospel imperative both shared by Christians and unique to religious. And she raises sociological and spiritual questions about the forms and lifestyles of community life. Perhaps even more than the first volume, Selling All extends beyond its primary audience of women religious to include male religious, religious of other denominations, spiritual directors, retreat directors, and all lay Christians on a serious spiritual quest. The book is also invaluable for use by general chapters, in formation programs, and by study groups.

"Beyond Patching clarifies the language and concerns of feminist spirituality and effectively addresses the excruciating tensions that have arisen because of the sometimes morally unacceptable way women are treated in the church. Furthermore, it is timely in that it challenges patriarchy in principle and in practice, discusses the role of scripture as both part of the problem and a potential resource for a liberationist approach, and points out the critical gravity of our responsibility to address gender- and sex-based injustice and violence in our Church."--BOOK JACKET.

"These reflections, based on a series published in The National Catholic Reporter, were inspired by the Vatican s announcement of an Apostolic Visitation of U.S. Women Religious from 2009-2011. Given the unmistakable imputation of guilt, the launch of this investigation was troubling to many women religious. Schneiders uses this occasion to articulate anew the meaning of Religious Life, the biblical theology underlying it, the reasons for the renewal undertaken after Vatican II, and the forms of apostolic Religious Life that have developed through this renewal. While her introduction tells the story of the investigation and the response it has generated, the following essays offer an eloquent and inspiring assessment and apologia for Religious Life today and in the future. It is a book addressed to all members of the church, calling us to live our faith in a spirit of integrity, freedom, and courage." -- Publisher's description.

"In this millennial Madeleva Lecture, Sandra Schneiders takes a long and clarifying look at feminism - both its impact on the past and its promise for the future. She explores some of its deeply transformative effects on twentieth-century American culture and on the postconciliar Church. While Schneiders touches on a wide range of topics, including women's emergence in the world of athletics and education and the greater role of women in the Church, she pays particular attention to the unique impact that women's Religious Life had in facilitating the transformation. Drawing on the insights of feminist thinkers and the biblical tradition, the author suggests how a Gospel-informed feminism can offer a new vision of humanity, Church, and world for a new century."--Jacket.