Black Theology and Feminist Theology

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Although black theology became popular in the early 1960’s, it was not an entirely new subject. Black theology views God and Christianity as a gospel relevant to blacks who struggled daily under the oppression of whites. The origins of it are clearly seen in spirituals sang by African Americans during the time of slavery nearly 400 years ago. Because of slavery, Blacks’ concept of God was totally different from the masters who enslaved them. White Christians saw god as more of a spiritual savior, while the reflection of God for blacks came in their struggle for freedom. Slave theology then opened up to Black theology which first began when churches began to become segregated. Many could not understand how Whites could continue to behave this way in the Lord’s house. It was soon realized that this was because, according to them, their God allowed segregation.

It is obvious that over time Whites have created a particular image that most people see when they think about what Jesus looks like. The most common idea of a picture of Jesus is Him having fair skin, blue eyes and long flowing dirty blond hair. Many people do not picture Jesus as a Black person might picture Him. In this alone, there is an implication of a specific stereotype on Jesus, which implies that His message does not apply to everyone. This is the reason why blacks are on a ‘quest’ for a Black messiah. White theology makes it seem as though God’s word is oriented toward white people and not black people. White theology is limited in its interpretation of the Christian faith as far as other races are concerned because Whites never conceived the “Black Jesus walking in the ghettos”. The tragedy of the interpretations of Jesus Christ is that in His name, the most ...

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...our differences, or view them as causes for separation and suspicion” but use them to unite us together to make a change.

Today, people of all races should be able to identify with Jesus and see His humanity. The Black man can now look at Jesus and see Him as the Black Messiah who fights oppression and sets the captive free. The Black and White women can see Him as a feminist who fights for women’s rights, and everyone can picture Him as all the races of the world.

All the people on the earth are people of God, and are all part of His creation. Our diversity; our various races and ethnicities are reflected in the oneness of God’s creation as He planned. The image of God is not meant to be restricted to one race or group, it is to be all races, all groups, and all ethnicities, because we are all children of God and His message is meant for all people on His earth.

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