Virginia Ramey Mollenkott (who lived from 1932 to 2020) was a highly influential feminist theologian, writer, and literary critic. Her groundbreaking work challenged traditional patriarchal interpretations of Christian scripture and doctrine, advocating for inclusive and affirming perspectives on gender, sexuality, and justice within the church.
Mollenkott is best known for her seminal book, The Divine Feminine: The Biblical Imagery of God as Female (1983), which meticulously explored biblical passages that depict God with feminine attributes, thereby questioning exclusive male language for the Divine. She also co-authored Is the Homosexual My Neighbor? Revised and Updated (1994) with Letha Dawson Scanzoni, a pioneering text that urged evangelicals to reconsider their stance on LGBTQ+ inclusion based on compassion and scriptural reinterpretation.
Later in life, Mollenkott tackled presumed gender binaries. Throughout her career, Mollenkott consistently championed radical hospitality and a more expansive understanding of God’s love, leaving an indelible mark on progressive Christian thought.
