New movements in theology Flashcards
Where did black theology originate from
USA, 1960s, black church leaders response to civil rights and black power
black activism, struggle for freedom from slavery, fighting racism for equality
first members were from protestant churches in south USA
what does black theology do/teach
Jesus was the liberator of black people and identifies with black suffering
raises awareness of oppression from history
Christianity previously denied a voice to black people
Against white privaledge
what theology does black theology link to and why
liberation theology, they both focus on poor and oppressed, undermines and eliminates power structures
J.H.Cone (6)
plight of Jews reflects black people’s experience (exodus)
God’s presence is focused on justice
black theology is a counterpart of the black power movement
gospel of Christ was from white oppressors
God is immanent, Jesus liberates oppressed
Jesus was black
Cone quote ab Jesus
‘God is whatever colour God needs to be in order to let people know they are not nobodies, they are somebodies’
Impact of black theology (2)
gave black people a voice to discuss injustice
correlated with MLK, christian influence
Limitations of black theology (3)
looked down on
limited spread
doesn’t have as much as an impact as other denominations
Successes of black theology (2)
main influences in educated elite
refocused attention that God is with his people in real situations
Feminist theology focus and origin
60s
looks at scriptures from a feminist perspective
church and bible is patriarchal, women are seen as inferior
liberation for women
women to fulfil roles of clergy and change religious language
Sally McFague (3)
focuses on language, like God being called ‘man’ in Bible, led to men getting power and authority
need new metaphors, ‘mother’ for God because he is nurturing
‘Metaphorical theology: Models of God in religious language’, 1982, controversial/opposing views
Impact of feminist theology (3)
goal is to challenge the view that men are superior
women’s Bible was written in 1890s
achieved greater representation of women in churches and clergy
Limitations of feminist theology (4)
Catholics forbid female priests
women can’t touch the Qur’an while menstruating, Islam
stereotypes in sacred texts
many scriptures say men are master by divine right
Successes of feminist theology (4)
liberal and radical
campaigns
some large and historically significant churches are ran by women
#ChurchToo fights sexual harassment
Origin of liberation theology
Latin America, 60s
liberation theology’s focus (7)
move church away from political and cultural roots that lead to oppression
theology from poor and oppressed perspective
suffering is against God’s will and contrasts Jesus’ teachings
Christians are obliged to fight against politically sinful structures
direct violence in extreme cases
action over ideas
capitalism is sinful
Biblical reference for liberation theology
Matthew 10:34, Jesus speaks of bringing a sword rather than peace
Rev G Gutiérrez (6)
‘Theology of liberation’ - 1972
a founder
his life in Latin America, high levels of poverty
poverty is hated by God
“preferential option for the poor”
fight against oppression, poor are the victims of exploitation
impact of liberation theology (5)
gave Christians obligations
influenced a conference in 196 which assessed the worlds political and social condition
heightened awareness
landless people’s movement
Limitations of liberation theology (6)
reliance on marxism, left activist group emphasises structural sin 1990s Pope John Paul limited its influence (too radical) too critique of capitalism violent, at odds with pacifist groups too extreme
Successes of liberation theology
allowed church to reconnect with the poor
1968 conference sided with the poor
interest in the poor is still vibrant - Pope Francis 2013
base communities throughput Latin America to help poverty
where does evangelical christianity come from
18th century protestantism roots
what does evangelical Christianity want to do
renew effect of Jesus’ good new
why is evangelical Christianity less focused on academic theology
this is shared with Pentecostalism and charismatic christianity
more focused on literature that’s closer to Jesus’ teachings
why is evangelical Christianity critical of the modern world
bcos it opposes divorce, homosexuality and feminism
A McGrath’s 4 main features of evangelical Christianity
- strong biblical emphasis
- gives weight to Jesus’ saving death on the cross
- personal conversion, ‘born again’
- committed to converting others
Impact of evangelical Christianity (2)
influential in current Christianity due to strong beliefs in Bible and Holy Spirit of God
impact in Africa due to slaves being in origination of Evangelical Christianity in US, 18 19 and 20th century
Limitations of evangelical Christianity (2)
opposing divorce can be harmful
doesn’t fit in with modern day views
Success of evangelical Christianity
not political, just converting should, helps fit capitalist society
When did Pentecostalism start and explain
start of 1900s
early Christian communities to the Pentecost (when the Holy Spirit first descended)
Pentecostalism bible quotes (2)
“And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” Acts 2:4
“every man heard them speak its own language” Acts 2:6
What is the gift of the Holy Spirit
glossolalia (tongues)
What did Parnham do
made a connection between glossolalia and baptism in the in Holy Spirit, ‘born again’ accompanied by speaking in tongues, prophecies, exorcism and healing
what religion does Pentecostalism follow and how (4)
Evangelicalism hostile to liberal christianity uses Bible heavily believes a second coming of Christ less emphasis on academic theology
how is Pentecostalism set apart
by the experience of these ‘gifts of the Holy Spirit’ and the emphasis on them as opposed to church doctrine or sacraments
what does Pentecostalism worship focus on (3)
experience as opposed to church structures
takes place for example in tents, shops and garages
oral movement, stories and songs, don’t need high levels of literacy so appeal in poverty stricken areas
straight forward guidelines with profound personal experience
Pentecostalism spread
spread rapidly through US, then a base was created so it could spread worldwide
at the same time Pentecostalism Christian Revival in Wales, and founding of that style in Africa
Pentecostalism compared to traditional Christian denominations
sits on margin of traditional Christian denominations
what religion is similar to Pentecostalism
Charismatic Christianity
when did Charismatic Christianity develop
post 1960s, since then, there has been a global charismatic upsurge
what is Charismatic Christianity a combination of
tradition and modernity: solutions of modern life problems and breaks free from traditional Christianity
what is offered to all in Charismatic Christianity
the gift of the Holy Spirit
focus and congregations of Charismatic Christianity
egalitarian (equality) and offers confidence
focuses on experience, academia not required
congregations are supportive cohesive and offers aid
why was there an impact on upsurge in Christianity
- share profound sense of mission and spreads a powerful message of personal salvation and conversion
- marginalised groups in movement were spread, new countries so new opportunities
what about world international immigrants and which religions did this impact
2012, Christianity = 49%
pentacostalism and charismatic Christianity
emergence of the two religions lead to what growth (P and CC)
massive growth in Africa, shift from Europe
led Growth of African and European countries
What happens when people travel in terms of Christianity
they bring Christianity with them
some of the largest congregations in Europe are African founded
How many Pentecostals are there in the world
approx 500mil spread globally
what challenges have secularisation and modernisation had on christianity in terms of the three theologies
liberation and its emphasis on the poor
black who wanted to redefine christianity
feminist and greater equality
- impacted Christians wold wide, forced a review on churches and emphasis to help the poor
what was the most significant change and why
evangelicalism, Pentecostalism and charismatic christianity
led to new churches worldwide
