2 of 2

Fields believes that black theology remains relevant and necessary. But he notes that it must be seen in the context of the historic sweep of Christian theology. He has provided an introduction; fuller, deeper, and broader coverage awaits.

Heart and Head consists of eight essays that Dwight N. Hopkins presented "at different times and in different contexts," all related to black liberation theology. Hopkins, associate professor of theology at the University of Chicago Divinity School, has published over a dozen titles in the field.

His chapter headings are intriguing: "Black Theology of Liberation and the Impact of Womanist Theology," "The Preferential Option for the Poor and the Oppressed," "Spirituality and Transformation in Black Theology," "A New Black Heterosexual Male," "A Black American Perspective on Interfaith Dialogue in the Ecumenical Association of Third World Theologians," "The Religion of Globalization," "James H. Cone and Thoughts for a New Generation," and "A New Common Wealth."

Following the first generation of black theologians, especially Cone, Hopkins says that for the movement to evolve, black theology must always be linked with the liberation of the poor and oppressed. It should have a continuing link with the prophetic black churches and church-related institutions.

Black theology, he says, must also deliberately unite with womanist theology, cultivating "a prolonged, organized conversation and joining practice between womanists and (male) black theologians." (Womanist refers to the black feminist movement, emphasizing strong, assertive traits.) Black women must be empowered for making decisions in "business ownership, politics, education, religion, the family, and more."

Furthermore, he says, black women must be accepted as pastors, bringing new styles of church leadership.

Hopkins calls for more global interfaith dialogue that would connect multiple versions of liberation theology. Finally, he calls for developing what it means "to be a healthy heterosexual African American man." Heart and Head argues that black theology is relevant and necessary for the church today, as long as it is always joined to the actual work of liberation.

Cone, in his autobiography My Soul Looks Back, says about the future of black theology: "Its chief task is to help the church to be faithful to the task of preaching and living the liberating gospel of Jesus Christ in the world today."

Both of these volumes point readers in that challenging direction.

F. Burton Nelson is research professor of Christian Ethics at North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago, and a senior associate at Oxford University.

Copyright © 2004 Christianity Today.Click for reprint information.

first page |  2 of 2

share this page

March 2004, Vol. 48, No. 3