Accidental Theologians: Four Women Who Shaped Christianity

This book highlights the four female saints who have been declared Doctors of the Catholic Church: Hildegard of Bingen, Catherine of Siena, Teresa of Avila, and Thérèse of Lisieux. Though they did not intend to be theologians, their teachings about Christian belief and practice mark them as key figures in the history of Christianity.

While most of the books written about these four women deal mainly with their spirituality, Accidental Theologians shows how they changed and challenged the Church in their day. It looks at their lives and works, the times in which they lived, the core of their theology, and the implications of their theology for us. Questions for reflection and a comprehensive resource list provide opportunities to learn more about these saints.

About the author:

ELIZABETH A. DREYER is professor emerita of religious studies at Fairfield University in Connecticut, and an adjunct professor at the Hartford Seminary. She is the author or editor of nine books, including Making Sense of God: A Woman’s Perspective, and has written extensively on the topics of medieval theology and spirituality, women’s spirituality, theology of grace, the Holy Spirit, and contemporary lay spirituality.