Black Theology and Ideology: Deideological Dimensions in the Theology of James H. Cone

by Harry H Singleton III

Overview

Combining the theological methods of Juan Luis Segundo and James H. Cone, Harry Singleton sheds new light on the impact of race on the origin and development of theology in America.

In Black Theology and Ideology Singleton appropriates Segundo's method of deideologization to argue that relevant theological reflection must expose religio-political ideologies that justify human oppression in the name of God as a distortion of the gospel and counter them with new theological presuppositions rooted in liberation. Singleton then contextualizes Segundo's method by offering the theology of James Cone as the most viable example of such a theological perspective in America.

Chapters are The Black Experience and the Emergence of Ideological Suspicion," "The Western Intellectual Tradition and Ideological Suspicion," "Hermeneutical Methodology and the Emergence of Exegetical Suspicion," "A New Hermeneutic," and "The Case for Indigenous Deideologization."

Harry H. Singleton, III, Ph.D., is assistant professor of comparative religions and African American religion in the religion/philosophy department at Benedict College, Columbia, South Carolina.

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Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780814651063
Publisher:	Liturgical Press
Publication date:	02/01/2002
Series:	Theology
Pages:	152
Product dimensions:	6.01(w) x 9.02(h) x 0.39(d)

About the Author

Harry H. Singleton, III, Ph.D., is assistant professor of comparative religions and African American religion in the religion/philosophy department at Benedict College, Columbia, South Carolina.

Table of Contents

	Preface	vii
	Introduction	xi
1.	The Black Experience and the Emergence of Ideological Suspicion	1
	The Black Experience as an Existential Encounter with White Supremacy	1
	The Black Experience as an Eschatological Decision for Black Liberation	9
	The Black Experience as the Contemporary Revelation of God	17
	Conclusion	23
2.	The Western Intellectual Tradition and Ideological Suspicion	25
	Western Intellectual Discourse and White Supremacy	26
	The Western Theological Tradition and Sociopolitical Oppression	34
	Why a Black Theology?	38
	Black Theology as Christian Theology	42
	Conclusion	46
3.	Hermeneutical Methodology and the Emergence of Exegetical Suspicion	47
	Hermeneutical Methodology, White Supremacy, and Slavery	48
	Hermeneutical Methodology, White Supremacy, and Segregation	55
	Black Theology and Hermeneutical Methodology	58
	Black Theology, Hermeneutical Methodology, and the Old Testament	61
	Black Theology, Hermeneutical Methodology, and the New Testament	63
	Conclusion	66
4.	A New Hermeneutic	68
	God	69
	Humanity	72
	Jesus Christ	77
	Eschatology	82
	Revolution and Violence	86
	Conclusion	91
5.	The Case for Indigenous Deideologization	92
	Cone's Theology of Liberation	93
	Segundo's Liberation of Theology	99
	The Case for Indigenous Deideologization	105
	Conclusion	118
	Works Cited	121
	Index of Subjects	125

Editorial Reviews

As theological discourse speaks into the twenty-first century, Black Theology and Ideology inspires yet another generation of theologians and religious scholars. Harry Singleton's re-presentation of liberationist hermeneutics demonstrates that compelling interpretative strategies do not fade away with the passage of time. Instead, they remain thought-provoking and relevant. Moreover, through his own interpretation of African American religious history and critique of white supremacy, he is discovering his unique place among those of us who bear witness along with our ancestors that the 'God of the oppressed' is 'a way out of no way.'
Will Coleman, CEO/President, BT Forum, Inc., Co-Director, Black Kabbalah Institute, Inc.


With clarity, consistency, and cogency, Harry H. Singleton, III, shows us, woos us, and convinces us about the interested natures of theologies. He draws on his deep intellectual engagement with black theology, European theology, religious method, and the interconnections among theology, ideology, and religio-political issues. At the end of the day, we discover what matters is our taking seriously our own relations to the less privileged and our own roles in facilitating their enhancement. Those involved in theology, religious practices, or a spirituality of liberation and healing would do well to treasure this book.
Dwight N. Hopkins, Author, Heart and Head: Black Theology Past, Present, and Future


The text is well written and its content clearly presented . . . an excellent resource for upper level and graduate students of theology.
Theological Studies

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