Title:
Magis Mary: exploring feminine images of God in relationships
Author:
Pamela A. McGinnis
Thesis Advisor:
C. Kevin Gillespie
Committee Member:
David C. Newton
Degree Granting Institution:
Loyola University Maryland--College of Arts and Sciences
Place:
Baltimore (Md.)
Publisher:
Loyola University Maryland
Date Created:
2007
Type of Resource:
text
Genre:
thesis
Language:
eng
Format:
application/pdf
Physical Form:
electronic
Digital Source:
reformatted digital
Abstract:
This thesis examined the predominant use of male images that exist in comparison to the limited use of female images in order to understand the impact to both genders individually and to society. Through reason and faith this discourse broke open the topic of images in five parts. The introduction explored various observations that form argument as to why this subject is important. The following chapter focused on educating about the psychological, historical, and theological aspects of the making of God-Images. Raising awareness to our own or another's image of God is discovered through prayer and helping relationships, which was discussed in the third chapter. The fourth chapter moves from reason to faith in order to experiment with new images of God. In the form of a retreat, the chapter focused on remembering, naming, and embracing feminine images of God, specifically praying with Mary, through the use of the Spiritual Exercises founded by St. Ignatius and the Society of Jesus. The concluding chapter moved towards the intermingling of reason and faith by emphasizing that expanding our images of God opens new horizons for companionship with God and each other while simultaneously lifting injustices still found in our world today. Navigating these new horizons in companionship becomes our work and discernment. Three resources influenced a great part of the research conducted. Frielingsdorf's work (2006) provided a psycho-spiritual synthesis of the power behind images of God. Some of Bernard Lonergan's edited work by Connor (2006) provided important Ignatian points. Thirdly, Johnson's (2003) theological analysis of feminine image of God served as a means of discovering spiritual stories that have been overshadowed by patriarchy. Throughout this thesis there was an underlying intention to amalgamate psychology and religion, reason and faith, masculinity and femininity, as well as secular and lay.
Subject:
Femininity of God
Subject:
Image of God
Subject:
Theology of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Subject:
Mary,Blessed Virgin, Saint--Theology
Subject:
Mary,Blessed Virgin, Saint
Degree:
Master of Arts
Level:
Master
Discipline:
Pastoral Counseling
Restrictions on Access:
Author has given permission to make this work available online to Loyola Notre Dame Library basic constituency.
Use and Reproduction:
The authors of theses and dissertations are the copyright owners. Loyola Notre Dame Library has their permission to store and provide access to these works. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Permission is required to use materials for which Loyola Notre Dame Library, Loyola University Maryland, or Notre Dame of Maryland University hold copyright. In addition, the reproduction of some materials may be restricted by terms of gift of purchase agreements, donor restrictions, privacy and publicity rights, licensing and trademarks. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owner. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.
Identifier:
McGinnisPA-07
