Building Bridges: Letha Dawson Scanzoni and Friends

by Kendra Weddle, Jann Aldredge-Clanton

Overview

Letha Dawson Scanzoni changed the landscape of American evangelicalism through her groundbreaking work on the gospel-based intersection of gender and LGBTQ justice. She coauthored two of the first books that support women's equality and LGBTQ rights with the Bible: All We're Meant to Be and Is the Homosexual My Neighbor? In all her work Scanzoni applies the liberating message of Jesus to women and to people who have been marginalized by church and society because of sexual orientation. Building Bridges combines an exploration of the life and work of Letha Dawson Scanzoni with stories of people she continues to empower through her writing and the Evangelical&Ecumenical Women's Caucus - Christian Feminism Today, an organization she cofounded. This book illustrates her growing influence as she continues her prophetic collaboration with new generations. In addition, it provides resources for churches as they build bridges for their ministries of liberation, justice, and peace.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781532631894
Publisher:	Wipf & Stock Publishers
Publication date:	05/03/2018
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	214
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Kendra Weddle, PhD, is associate professor and chair of Religion and Humanities at Texas Wesleyan University, where she focuses on the intersections of gender and religion. She is coauthor (with Melanie Springer Mock) of If Eve Only Knew (2015), and author of Preaching on the Plains (2007).



Jann Aldredge -Clanton, PhD, a feminist theologian and ordained minister, serves as cochair of Equity for Women in the Church, adjunct professor at Richland College, and coleader of New Wineskins Community. Her books include Praying with Christ-Sophia (2007), Seeking Wisdom (2010), Changing Church (2011), and Earth Transformed with Music (20I5).
Jann Aldredge-Clanton, PhD, a feminist theologian and ordained minister, serves as cochair of Equity for Women in the Church, minister partner of The Gathering, A Womanist Church, adjunct professor at Richland College, and coleader of New Wineskins Community. Her books include Praying with Christ-Sophia (2007), Seeking Wisdom (2010), Changing Church (2011), Building Bridges (2018), and Inclusive Songs for Resistance&Social Action (20I8).

Table of Contents

Introduction xi

Part 1 Birthing Christian Feminism

1 Changing Evangelicalism 3

2 Gendering Justice 32

3 Building the Evangelical & Ecumenical Women's Caucus-Christian Feminism Today 57

Part 2 Expanding The Vision

4 Claiming the Divine Image 85

5 Welcoming All 113

6 Increasing Connections 141

Part 3 Continuing The Justice Work: Selected Essays Letha Dawson Scanzoni

7 Christian Feminism and LGBT Advocacy: Let's Move Away from Slippery Slope Thinking 167

8 What Can Christians Learn from the "Mystery Dress" Phenomenon? 175

Bibliography 185

Index of People Interviewed 193

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"This book lifts up one of the most important feminists in the last fifty years. Through it we can trace how Letha Dawson Scanzoni challenged evangelicals' established and theologically legitimated roles for women and perspectives on LGBTQ persons, and then helped foster significant social change. It's not only the biography of a long neglected history changer, but a description of how one biblically literate scholar helped the church to think in new ways."

—Tony Campolo, author of Red Letter Christians: A Citizen’s Guide to Faith and Politics



"Building Bridges displays biography at its best, fully encompassing one life, yet written larger than life. The authors deftly set the narrative of Letha Dawson Scanzoni and her pioneering writings on sex and gender to showcase her pivotal challenge to the reigning contours of American evangelicalism. Scanzoni stands tall and courageous in this book, a prophet calling the American church to the biblical stance of justice for all."

—Priscilla Pope-Levison, Associate Dean and Professor at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University



"Many think of Letha Dawson Scanzoni above all as a feminist, and that is no doubt legitimate. But I think of her first and foremost as a courageous biblical interpreter, because when I was a young evangelical, I watched her take the same biblical texts that the (white male) evangelical gatekeepers used to oppress others and instead use them to liberate. I admired her courage to differ from the gatekeepers, having no idea that I would eventually walk that same path. This book tells Letha's story and celebrates her impact. I highly recommend it."

—Brian D. McLaren, author of The Great Spiritual Migration



"Jann and Kendra have produced a fitting homage to Letha and an excellent review and analysis of the Christian feminist movement. As a church historian, I value their insight into and accurate interpretation of the pilgrimage of Christian women toward equality. I encourage anyone interested in the story of the intertwining of Letha Dawson Scanzoni's life with the development of twentieth-century Christian feminism to read this book. It is a fine addition to Christian feminist scholarship."

—Rosalie Beck, Associate Professor at Baylor University



"If time travel were possible, I'd set the dial back two thousand years and place this book in the hands of the early church. Then I would roll the dial forward, stopping every decade to make sure its lessons were remembered. Alas, now I can only hope its prophetic witness is not too late."

—Philip Gulley, Author of If the Church Were Christian



"Kendra Weddle and Jann Aldredge-Clanton's book Building Bridges provides an informative and inspirational story of the life and work of Letha Dawson Scanzoni. Letha's life paves a pathway for a new generation of feminist theologians. This thoughtful biography will stimulate future generations of feminist thinkers in their work and witness."

—Grace Ji-Sun Kim, Author of Embracing the Other



"Kendra Weddle and Jann Aldredge-Clanton provide a deeply personal portrait of the pioneering life and work of evangelical feminist Letha Dawson Scanzoni. Breaking boundaries as she built bridges, Scanzoni fails to fit any of our conventional categories. And this is precisely the point. Her work and witness demand that we rethink our categories and consider instead a paradigm shift when it comes to what it means to embrace an evangelical faith. By telling Scanzoni's story, this book offers intimate glimpses into the evolution of Christian feminism and of an inclusive faith tradition over the past half century."

—Kristin Kobes Du Mez, Author of A New Gospel for Women: Katharine Bushnell



"Great read! This book shows some of the best of the work of the Christian feminist movement and the importance of building bridges and of Letha's work for a very diverse and broad group of folks! Feminist thought is a joint project, drawing people together to work toward justice. Building Bridges illustrates that truth through tracing the life and work of one of Christian feminism's most important thinkers and activists. Scanzoni's Christian feminist publications deeply influenced me while in seminary in the late 70's. Turns out, I'm not alone. This book shows her influence on thousands. An excellent history and an excellent, must read, for both Christians and others!"

—Mark McLeod-Harrison, Professor at George Fox University



"Thanks to Weddle and Aldredge-Clanton for sharpening the lens on the ground-breaking work of Letha Dawson Scanzoni. Building Bridges documents an often-overlooked revolution in American evangelicalism. Christians seeking to build bridges today on pressing questions of gospel liberation and justice will find here a treasure trove of biblical resources and promising vision."

—Amy Oden, Professor at Saint Paul School of Theology



"I have known Jann Aldredge-Clanton and Kendra Weddle for many years, but I have not met Letha Dawson Scanzoni. After reading the book, I wish I knew her. All We're Meant to Be had a profound influence on my life, moving me toward Christian feminism at a time when that stance was not 'cool' on evangelical Christian university campuses. Reading this book reminded me of the journey Letha helped equip me for, and the journeys many women have taken into a worldview that sees people for who they are and values them regardless of race, ethnic identity, gender identity or color. Jann and Kendra have produced a fitting homage to Letha and an excellent review and analysis of the Christian feminist movement. As a church historian, I value their insight into and accurate interpretation of the pilgrimage of Christian women toward equality. I encourage anyone interested in the story of the intertwining of Scanzoni's life with the development of Christian feminism to read this book. Anyone searching for a good historical presentation of the development of Christian feminism should read this book. It is a fine addition to Christian feminist scholarship."

—Rosalie Beck, Associate Professor at Baylor University



"I am so honored to endorse Building Bridges: Letha Dawson Scanzoni and Friends, by Jann Aldredge-Clanton and Kendra Weddle. This important book places Letha Dawson Scanzoni where she belongs—as a founder of Christian feminism. The authors acknowledge her true context—the history of American religion, women in religion, and a branch of Christian feminism that dared to take on homophobia. This is a neglected story of personal and theological courage that helps us understand our current religious and theological struggles. I appreciate that the authors included some of Scanzoni's most important essays so that we can hear her voice afresh. Thank you also for lifting up her role as a mentor and friend to so many women theologians, expanding their horizons and multiplying their impact. As a leader in Metropolitan Community Churches for over four decades, I can personally attest to the powerful influences of Scanzoni and her friends, such as Nancy Hardesty and Virginia Mollenkott, on more than one generation of women and men of faith. We are ever in her debt."

—Nancy Wilson, Former Global Moderator of Metropolitan Community Churches

Editorial Reviews

"This book lifts up one of the most important feminists in the last fifty years. Through it we can trace how Letha Dawson Scanzoni challenged evangelicals' established and theologically legitimated roles for women and perspectives on LGBTQ persons, and then helped foster significant social change. It's not only the biography of a long neglected history changer, but a description of how one biblically literate scholar helped the church to think in new ways."

—Tony Campolo, author of Red Letter Christians: A Citizen’s Guide to Faith and Politics



"Building Bridges displays biography at its best, fully encompassing one life, yet written larger than life. The authors deftly set the narrative of Letha Dawson Scanzoni and her pioneering writings on sex and gender to showcase her pivotal challenge to the reigning contours of American evangelicalism. Scanzoni stands tall and courageous in this book, a prophet calling the American church to the biblical stance of justice for all."

—Priscilla Pope-Levison, Associate Dean and Professor at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University



"Many think of Letha Dawson Scanzoni above all as a feminist, and that is no doubt legitimate. But I think of her first and foremost as a courageous biblical interpreter, because when I was a young evangelical, I watched her take the same biblical texts that the (white male) evangelical gatekeepers used to oppress others and instead use them to liberate. I admired her courage to differ from the gatekeepers, having no idea that I would eventually walk that same path. This book tells Letha's story and celebrates her impact. I highly recommend it."

—Brian D. McLaren, author of The Great Spiritual Migration



"Jann and Kendra have produced a fitting homage to Letha and an excellent review and analysis of the Christian feminist movement. As a church historian, I value their insight into and accurate interpretation of the pilgrimage of Christian women toward equality. I encourage anyone interested in the story of the intertwining of Letha Dawson Scanzoni's life with the development of twentieth-century Christian feminism to read this book. It is a fine addition to Christian feminist scholarship."

—Rosalie Beck, Associate Professor at Baylor University



"If time travel were possible, I'd set the dial back two thousand years and place this book in the hands of the early church. Then I would roll the dial forward, stopping every decade to make sure its lessons were remembered. Alas, now I can only hope its prophetic witness is not too late."

—Philip Gulley, Author of If the Church Were Christian



"Kendra Weddle and Jann Aldredge-Clanton's book Building Bridges provides an informative and inspirational story of the life and work of Letha Dawson Scanzoni. Letha's life paves a pathway for a new generation of feminist theologians. This thoughtful biography will stimulate future generations of feminist thinkers in their work and witness."

—Grace Ji-Sun Kim, Author of Embracing the Other



"Kendra Weddle and Jann Aldredge-Clanton provide a deeply personal portrait of the pioneering life and work of evangelical feminist Letha Dawson Scanzoni. Breaking boundaries as she built bridges, Scanzoni fails to fit any of our conventional categories. And this is precisely the point. Her work and witness demand that we rethink our categories and consider instead a paradigm shift when it comes to what it means to embrace an evangelical faith. By telling Scanzoni's story, this book offers intimate glimpses into the evolution of Christian feminism and of an inclusive faith tradition over the past half century."

—Kristin Kobes Du Mez, Author of A New Gospel for Women: Katharine Bushnell



"Great read! This book shows some of the best of the work of the Christian feminist movement and the importance of building bridges and of Letha's work for a very diverse and broad group of folks! Feminist thought is a joint project, drawing people together to work toward justice. Building Bridges illustrates that truth through tracing the life and work of one of Christian feminism's most important thinkers and activists. Scanzoni's Christian feminist publications deeply influenced me while in seminary in the late 70's. Turns out, I'm not alone. This book shows her influence on thousands. An excellent history and an excellent, must read, for both Christians and others!"

—Mark McLeod-Harrison, Professor at George Fox University



"Thanks to Weddle and Aldredge-Clanton for sharpening the lens on the ground-breaking work of Letha Dawson Scanzoni. Building Bridges documents an often-overlooked revolution in American evangelicalism. Christians seeking to build bridges today on pressing questions of gospel liberation and justice will find here a treasure trove of biblical resources and promising vision."

—Amy Oden, Professor at Saint Paul School of Theology



"I have known Jann Aldredge-Clanton and Kendra Weddle for many years, but I have not met Letha Dawson Scanzoni. After reading the book, I wish I knew her. All We're Meant to Be had a profound influence on my life, moving me toward Christian feminism at a time when that stance was not 'cool' on evangelical Christian university campuses. Reading this book reminded me of the journey Letha helped equip me for, and the journeys many women have taken into a worldview that sees people for who they are and values them regardless of race, ethnic identity, gender identity or color. Jann and Kendra have produced a fitting homage to Letha and an excellent review and analysis of the Christian feminist movement. As a church historian, I value their insight into and accurate interpretation of the pilgrimage of Christian women toward equality. I encourage anyone interested in the story of the intertwining of Scanzoni's life with the development of Christian feminism to read this book. Anyone searching for a good historical presentation of the development of Christian feminism should read this book. It is a fine addition to Christian feminist scholarship."

—Rosalie Beck, Associate Professor at Baylor University



"I am so honored to endorse Building Bridges: Letha Dawson Scanzoni and Friends, by Jann Aldredge-Clanton and Kendra Weddle. This important book places Letha Dawson Scanzoni where she belongs—as a founder of Christian feminism. The authors acknowledge her true context—the history of American religion, women in religion, and a branch of Christian feminism that dared to take on homophobia. This is a neglected story of personal and theological courage that helps us understand our current religious and theological struggles. I appreciate that the authors included some of Scanzoni's most important essays so that we can hear her voice afresh. Thank you also for lifting up her role as a mentor and friend to so many women theologians, expanding their horizons and multiplying their impact. As a leader in Metropolitan Community Churches for over four decades, I can personally attest to the powerful influences of Scanzoni and her friends, such as Nancy Hardesty and Virginia Mollenkott, on more than one generation of women and men of faith. We are ever in her debt."

—Nancy Wilson, Former Global Moderator of Metropolitan Community Churches

From the Publisher