An extraordinary personal and theological examination of what's wrong with the crucifixion
In an emotionally gripping and intellectually rich combination of memoir and theology, Rita Brock and Rebecca Parker show how emphasizing Christ's obedience to God and sacrifice on the cross sanctions violence, exacerbates its effects, blesses silence about the abuse of human beings, and hinders the process of recovery—giving the fullest and most powerful critique to date of the theology of atonement.
"Poignant and provocative. . . . Brock and Parker have written a book of both sorrow and hope, and a blueprint for deeper thinking about the things that matter most. . . . I will be reflecting on Proverbs of Ashes for many months to come." —Rosemary Bray McNatt, UU World
"This book will anger some Christians and make others feel vindicated. . . . Parker and Brock unveil their own deep pain and suffering to build the book's backbone. They blend self disclosure with serious theology to underscore their outlook." —Cecil S. Holmes, Cleveland Plain Dealer
"Provocative. . . . The authors weave theological reflections with deeply moving personal accounts of abuse and trauma, including their own experiences." —The Other Side
"[Readers] cannot help but be swayed by the book's searing passion and profoundly literary style (a remarkable achievement in a coauthored work). Brock and Parker have thrown down a gauntlet that cannot be ignored." —Publishers Weekly
A searing indictment, personal and experiential, pastoral and theological, of the most unfortunately successful idea in the history of Christian thought.
-John Dominic Crossan, author of
Jesus: A Revolutionary Biography "Poignant and provocative. . . . Brock and Parker have written a book of both sorrow and hope, and a blueprint for deeper thinking about the things that matter most."
-Rosemary Bray McNatt, author of
Unafraid of the Dark "Parker and Brock unveil their own deep pain and suffering to build the book's backbone. They blend self-disclosure with serious theology to underscore their outlook." -Cecil S. Holmes,
Cleveland Plain Dealer "Provocative. . . . The authors weave theological reflections with deeply moving personal accounts of abuse and trauma, including their own experiences."
-The Other Side "[Readers] cannot help but be swayed by the book's searing passion and profoundly literary style (a remarkable achievement in a coauthored work). Brock and Parker have thrown down a gauntlet that cannot be ignored."
-Publishers Weekly "You don't have to be a Christian to applaud the courage and vision of these two devout women who boldly propose that human sacrifice has no place at the heart of Christianity. Their gospel of presence and restoration is good news for everyone."
-Judith Herman, author of
Trauma and Recovery Rita Nakashima Brock is a research associate at Starr King School for the Ministry at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California. She is the author of the award-winning
Journeys by Heart: A Christology of Erotic Power. Rebecca Ann Parker, an ordained United Methodist minister in dual fellowship with the Unitarian Universalist Association, is president and professor of theology at Starr King School for the Ministry at the Graduate Theological Union.
