Out of the Fire: Worship and Theology of Liberation

David M. Kelly teaches religious studies at Brock University in St.
Catharines.

This book presents a new liturgy based on feminism and liberal theology.
The author’s intention was not to write a service book similar to the
Anglican prayer books, but to stimulate Christians into rethinking the
principles of worship. In addition to the prayers, reading, and
liturgies, Lebans offers her opinions on current theological dogmas.

Unfortunately, the positive aspects of this new liturgy (many of the
prayers are compassionate and moving) are undermined by instances of
“male bashing” and “female chauvinism.” Despite her efforts to
portray God as beyond gender, Lebans could not resist the temptation to
present divinity as female to the near-exclusion of all male elements.
Her Christmas story conveys with the message that little boys are
malicious brats and would-be warriors, while little girls are literally
angels.

Lebans’s ability to write prayers that express the full extent of
Christian love is considerable. Regrettably, her book as a whole falls
far short of that laudable goal.