Moving Beyond

“In the struggle against false gods, unjust power, and mammon worship, Karen Bloomquist conjures a new spirit of ‘transformative theologizing.’ Reflecting on her theological journey with Dorothee Soelle and the global church, she advocates a new genre of theological engagement, improvisational and deeply contextual, like unto the praxis of Jesus. Moving beyond fear and polarized binaries, this book discovers hope in revitalizing grassroots democracy and solidarity with neighbors through emergent practices of diakonia.”


—Craig L. Nessan, professor for the education and renewal of the church, Wartburg Theological Seminary





“Moving Beyond addresses the inequalities and manifold binaries that polarize societies and the religious field today. Karen Bloomquist shows how important it is to move beyond distanced forms of social analysis and theology. She invites the reader into engaged theologizing in dealing with socioeconomic and political developments. I am touched by the way she offers food for thought and for commitment as she reflects on class as an overlooked reality, and the way she pleads for theologizing as collaborative practice across divides.”


—Simone Sinn, professor of religious studies and intercultural theology, University of Münster





“Don’t expect quick fixes in this book; rather, be prepared to rethink and reframe our questions. Each chapter challenges us to formulate better theological responses that involves ‘a step beyond but rooted in contextualization.’ Transformative theologizing brings together voices from around the world and across generations. Karen Bloomquist invites us to an ongoing theologically reflective process that overcomes our fears, confronts cultural barriers, and addresses power dynamics in church and society with honesty and courage.”


—Sivin Kit, director, Department for Theology, Mission, and Justice, Lutheran World Federation