Children of the Waters of Meribah: Black Liberation Theology, the Miriamic Tradition, and the Challenges of Twenty-First-Century Empire

by Allan Aubrey Boesak

Overview

In the decades since Black liberation theology burst onto the scene, it has turned the world of church, society, and academia upside down. It has changed lives and ways of thinking as well. But now there is a question: What lessons has Black theology not learned as times have changed? In this expansion of the 2017 Yale Divinity School Beecher Lectures, Allan Boesak explores this question. If Black liberation theology had taken the issues discussed in these pages much more seriously--struggled with them much more intensely, thoroughly, and honestly--would it have been in a better position to help oppressed black people in Africa, the United States, and oppressed communities everywhere as they have faced the challenges of the last twenty-five years? In a critical, self-critical engagement with feminist and, especially, African feminist theologians in a trans-disciplinary conversation, Allan Boesak, as Black liberation theologian from the Global South, offers tentative but intriguing responses to the vital questions facing Black liberation theology today, particularly those questions raised by the women.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781532656736
Publisher:	Wipf & Stock Publishers
Publication date:	09/17/2019
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	266
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Allan Aubrey Boesak is a South African liberation theologian, international human rights activist, and the Research Associate at the Faculty of Theology and Religion, University of Pretoria. He is the author of several books, including Pharaohs on Both Sides of the Blood-Red Waters, Prophetic Critique of Empire: Resistance, Justice, and the Power of the Hopeful Sizwe (2017).


Allan A. Boesak received his PhD in Theology from the Protestant Theological University (Netherlands) in 1976, the same year of the Soweto Uprisings, which marks his entry into public life in South Africa. As President of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches he called for the formation of the United Democratic Front to advance the anti-apartheid movement in 1983. He has written 17 books and has received numerous awards, including the Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Award. He recently completed an appointment as chair of the Desmond Tutu Peace, Reconciliation, and Global Justice Center at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis. Currently, Allan Boesak serves as Distinguished Professor of Religion and Social Justice at Berea College Kentucky.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“In the current context of global growth of nationalism, popularism, racism, xenophobia, homophobia, and pushback on gender justice, Children of the Waters of Meribah by Allan Boesak offers a timely lens through which to understand Jesus’ statement in John 10:10, which says: ‘The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.’ He is reminding us that Black Theology provides one perspective to interpret the intersection of race, gender, class, and biblical scholarship when reading the signs of our times. I find his analysis and reflections very inspiring and I recommend the book to theology students, academics, church leaders, and laity. It is a welcome addition to the Black Theology discourse with a global outreach.”

—Isabel Apawo Phiri, Deputy General Secretary, World Council of Churches



“In what I consider to be his best work in a post-apartheid context, Allan Aubrey Boesak demonstrates a sharp and brilliant mind that is able to engage critically with the demands of decoloniality today. Noting that for the African Christian, the issues of the Christian faith and being African are two equal yet conflicting elements in this Christian, Boesak nonetheless reminds this African Reformed Christian that although many strides had been made since the inception of the Reformation, the issues of our Africanness are yet to be dealt with ethically and profoundly.”

—Rothney S Tshaka, Director, School of Humanities, College of Human Sciences, University of South Africa

Editorial Reviews

In the current context of global growth of nationalism, popularism, racism, xenophobia, homophobia, and pushback on gender justice, Children of the Waters of Meribah by Allan Boesak offers a timely lens through which to understand Jesus’ statement in John 10:10, which says: ‘The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.’ He is reminding us that Black Theology provides one perspective to interpret the intersection of race, gender, class, and biblical scholarship when reading the signs of our times. I find his analysis and reflections very inspiring and I recommend the book to theology students, academics, church leaders, and laity. It is a welcome addition to the Black Theology discourse with a global outreach.”

—Isabel Apawo Phiri, Deputy General Secretary, World Council of Churches



“In what I consider to be his best work in a post-apartheid context, Allan Aubrey Boesak demonstrates a sharp and brilliant mind that is able to engage critically with the demands of decoloniality today. Noting that for the African Christian, the issues of the Christian faith and being African are two equal yet conflicting elements in this Christian, Boesak nonetheless reminds this African Reformed Christian that although many strides had been made since the inception of the Reformation, the issues of our Africanness are yet to be dealt with ethically and profoundly.”

—Rothney S Tshaka, Director, School of Humanities, College of Human Sciences, University of South Africa

From the Publisher