Catholic ideology about women and the teachings as we know them were once considered unchangeable but not now. Newly discovered texts and the contemporary phrasing of old theology is breaking ground for new perspectives. We cannot help but continually reexamine who we are in God. There is a movement underway for a modern women like myself. First of its kind, my book concerning Catholic ideology about women, is inspired iconography. It raises issues inside the church and out. In Light of Women, is a powerful text, filled with Byzantine style Icon Paintings which fit perfectly into contemporary conversations about theology and women.
The visual language contained in the sacred art of iconography has enlivened my rebellious spirit. There is no harm or heresy in opening discussion with the male-dominated church landscape of today’s theology. My book highlights images of the feminine: women standing equally beside men in a more contemporary and integrated vision for society. Christ’s teachings regarded women in a variety of roles and the consequences of editing them out of theology has hurt everyone. I am deeply respectful of the iconography tradition and knowledgeable of its long history.
In Light of Women is about Catholic ideology about women
The images are juxtaposed with text that includes religious history, religious context, and my reflection on Catholic ideology about women. My meditation and thoughts during 25 years of dedication to this ancient technique and prayer form are dramatic. Miller’s book contains New Byzantine Icon Paintings, 72-pages incorporate 24 full-color icons. Theology and Women are explored in her contemporary collection of icons, done in the ancient medium of tempera which utilizes a mixture of egg yolk and ground earth pigments. The book includes a thorough introduction and three distinct sections that build to my most dynamic and contemporary works highlighted in the book.
Three Parts to the Book
Part 1, Mary Icons; explore the history of Mary’s image in New Byzantine Icon Painting through the tradition’s most popular images of her.
Part 2, The Gospel of Mary Magdalene; explores icons that were inspired by the Gnostic text with some creative insights from traditional theology.
Part 3, Feminine Voice; explores classic icons. Classic theology, with women placed in historical events to complete a more current understanding for all gender’s involvement in the story of Christ.
This book In Light of Women will prove to encourage New Theology, a Women’s Unexpected Treasure including Catholic ideology about women.
The book is timely, important, interesting, with new perspectives and questions to be asked. In the time of Christ, I like to think any woman named Mary was special. Mary was the name given to women who were teachers, intelligent, healers, mystics, and more. Mary walks with us in this new age and is just beginning to speak.
The book of contemporary Byzantine Icon Painting lends itself as a great resource for book groups and women’s studies, or lectures to stimulate dialogue one icon at a time.
For more information about Mary Jane Miller and her wonderful ministry, visit her blog at San Miguel icons. You may find out about her books at Mary Jane Miller at Amazon and you can follow Mary Jane at Facebook and Twitter. Mary Jane’s wonderful workshops have been suspended due to Corona stay tuned at Sacred Icon Retreats.
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