Hildegard von Bingen's "Liber Scivias". A (early)feminist approach to Christian theology?
Hildegard von Bingen (1098–1179) was a Benedictine nun and, already during her lifetime, highly esteemed mystic, advisor on life issues, and consultant to ecclesiastical and political authorities. In her three-volume theological magnum opus, she not only offers a surprising vision of Christian salvation history, but also undertakes an explicit revaluation of the characterisation of women. An early feminist theologian? In a sense, yes!The focus will lie on the first of the three books, the"Liber Scivias", composed in the years 1141–1151. This manuscript was written during Hildegard's lifetime and, presumably under her supervision, magnificently illustrated. This evening, we will engage in a double dialog: on the one hand between text and image, and on the other between 'male' and 'female' writing of Christian salvation history.
