In Search of Appropriate Soteriological Concepts: An Ecofeminist Perspective

Abstract

Ernst Conradie offers a reconstructed soteriology from the perspective of the Christian Reform tradition and within the context of the ecological crises of today, especially with reference to South Africa. This paper is a response to his invitation to read and address his reconstruction from various viewpoints. I offer some ecofeminist reflections on and critiques of the traditional images, especially those of Gustav Aulen, which Conradie employs. I suggest that an ecofeminist perspective might engage very different images that would try to avoid the oppressive baggage the traditional redemption images have carried for women. Images that suggest the strongly transgressive nature of the cross in Christianity may be a better route from an ecofeminist perspective.