Creative Disobedience

Unquestioning obedience–in politics, religion, and gender roles–leads to disaster. But how are we to overcome these pernicious traditions without hurtling toward anarchy and antinomianism? In this updated edition of a classic text, theologian Dorothee Solle examines historical patterns of obedience and oppression and suggests a model of timeless “”creative disobedience”” that leads to liberation for all. Appealing to the figure of Jesus, whose earthly ministry was marked by submission to the will of God, not to oppressive institutions, Solle reminds us that this kind of revolutionary response is required of all of us. She offers a revealing account of her own evolution as a female scholar searching for the meaning of God–a search that led not to a rejection of her faith, but to the theological justification of faithful and creative disobedience. “”May well create a generation of new readers for Solle’s work amongst those hungry for genuine spiritual truth. Any who have not previously discovered the joy and power of Germany’s most theologically poetic and passionate contemporary Christian voice are in for a pleasant surprise!”” –Beverly W. Harrison, Union Theological Seminary in New York Dorothee Solle was visiting professor of systematic theology at Union Theological Seminary in New York and the author of numerous books on liberation theology.