The Cappadocian Mothers

An examination of the women in the lives of the fourth-century Cappadocian Fathers, and their influential role in the emerging theology of the early church.

The Cappadocian Fathers had great impact on the church of the fourth century, having brought their passion for Christ and their theological expertise to life in their ministry. While Basil, Gregory of Nyssa, and Gregory of Nazianzus are well known, the women of their families were also highly influential. In The Cappadocian Mothers, Carla D. Sunberg uncovers the lives of seven women who may have had more effect on the theology of the church than previously believed. As the Cappadocians wrestle with the Christianization of the concept of deification, we find the women in their lives becoming models for their theological understanding. The lives of the women become points of intersection in the kenosis-theosis parabola. Not only are the Cappadocian Mothers brought to life in the texts, but they become models of an optimistic theology of restoration for all of humanity without constraint of gender.

• By (author) Carla D Sunberg

'Carla Sunberg has crafted a significant piece of historical retrieval. She has mined the writings of fourth-century Cappadocian Fathers to learn of the significant witness and influence of the women who helped shape their understanding of how one becomes a participant in the divine nature. Her meticulous research demonstrates that without these mothers in faith, the fathers would lack living witnesses for their formulation of early Christian understandings of Christology, mystical theology, and Trinitarian construction. Besides, these remarkable women challenged regnant notions of the inferiority of women. Sunberg has bridged a major gap in scholarship, and the whole church will profit.'-Molly T. Marshall, Central Seminary'Carla Sunberg presents powerful examples of women--mothers and sisters--who embodied and taught theosis. . . . The Cappadocian Mothers will inspire all who seek to live holy, Christlike lives, full of love.'- Don Thorsen, Azusa Pacific University Seminary'In this volume on the Cappadocian Mothers, Carla Sunberg has provided a great gift to the modern church. . . . While the first part is a treasure trove of ancient wisdom, the latter part 'brings it home' to the life of contemporary Christians. Sunberg addresses issues such as gender and class equality, women in ministry leadership, as well as how the life of theosis is grounded in the Christian household.'- Cheryl Bridges Johns, Pentecostal Theological Seminary'This informative, well-researched, and accessible volume is important for women and men, pastors and teachers, historians and storytellers.'- MaryAnn Hawkins, Anderson University School of Theology and Christian Ministry'Carla Sunberg presents powerful examples of women - mothers and sisters - who embodied and taught theosis, sometimes translated from the Greek as 'deification,' or growth in holiness, Christ-likeness, and love. We've only recently become aware of these ancient church women, and Sunberg unveils how their lives and teachings embody spiritually formative practices relevant today. The Cappadocian Mothers will inspire all who seek to live holy, Christ-like lives, full of love.'- Don Thorsen, Professor of Theology, Azusa Pacific University Seminary'Well-versed in feminist hermeneutical methodology, Carla Sundberg has crafted a significant piece of historical retrieval. She has mined the writings of fourth-century Cappadocian Fathers to learn of the significant witness and influence of the women who helped shape their understanding of how one becomes a participant in the divine nature. Her meticulous research demonstrates that without these mothers in faith, the fathers would lack living witnesses for their formulation of early Christian understandings of Christology, mystical theology, and Trinitarian construction. Besides, these remarkable women challenged regnant notions of the inferiority of women. Sandberg has bridged a major gap in scholarship, and the whole church will profit.'- Molly T. Marshall, President, Professor of Theology and Spiritual Formation, Central Seminary'History has provided stories of the men who became heroes of the Christian faith in Cappadocia. Stories of the women were simply pushed aside, partly because of the culture of the fourth-century Roman Empire. Dr. Carla Sunberg brings to the forefront seven women who had significant impact on those men church history has hailed as heroes. But it isn't just that these women influenced the patristic church; rather, they're lives were used as illustrations of theosis, 'Christ in me the hope of glory': our human process of becoming like Christ as we seek to follow Christ closely. This informative, well-researched, and accessible volume is important for women and men, pastors and teachers, historians and storytellers.' - MaryAnn Hawkins, Dean, Anderson University School of Theology and Christian Ministry'In this volume on The Cappadocian Mothers, Carla Sunberg has provided a great gift to the modern church, and its release cannot be more timely. At the dawn of the twenty-first century, the ancient Cappadocian witness of the possibility of living a life characterized by ever-greater participation in God speaks to a growing hunger among Christians for living and vibrant faith. In addition to this hunger for knowing and living in God, there are many of us who hunger to hear the voices of our mothers in the faith as well as the voices of our fathers. While the first part of The Cappadocian Mothers is a treasure trove of ancient wisdom, the latter part 'brings it home' to the life of contemporary Christians. Sunberg addresses issues such as gender and class equality, women in ministry leadership, as well as how the life of theosis is grounded in the Christian household.'- Cheryl Bridges Johns, Robert E. Fisher Chair of Spiritual Renewal & Christian Formation, Pentecostal Theological Seminary
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