New movements in theology

Question 1

Where did black theology originate from 6

Answer 1

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

Question 2

what does black theology do/teach 4

Answer 2

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 privilege

Question 3

what theology does black theology link to and why

Answer 3

liberation theology

both focus on poor and oppressed undermines and eliminates power structures

Question 4

J.H.Cone (6)

Answer 4

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

Question 5

Cone quote ab Jesus

Answer 5

‘God is whatever colour God needs to be in order to let people know they are not nobodies, they are somebodies’

Question 6

Impact of black theology (2)

Answer 6

gave black people a voice to discuss injustice

correlated with MLK, christian influence

Question 7

Limitations of black theology (3)

Answer 7

looked down on
limited spread
doesn’t have as much as an impact as other denominations

Question 8

Successes of black theology (2)

Answer 8

main influences in educated elite

refocused attention that God is with his people in real situations

Question 9

Feminist theology focus and origin

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Sally McFague (3)

Answer 10

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

Question 11

Impact of feminist theology (3)

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Limitations of feminist theology (4)

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Successes of feminist theology (4)

Answer 13

liberal and radical
campaigns
some large and historically significant churches are ran by women
#ChurchToo fights sexual harassment

Question 14

Origin of liberation theology

Answer 14

Latin America, 60s

Question 15

liberation theology’s focus (7)

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Biblical reference for liberation theology

Answer 16

Matthew 10:34, Jesus speaks of bringing a sword rather than peace
“I came not to send peace, but a sword”

Question 17

Rev G Gutiérrez (6)

Answer 17

‘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

Question 18

impact of liberation theology (4)

Answer 18

gave Christians obligations
influenced a conference in 1968 which assessed the worlds political and social condition
heightened awareness
landless people’s movement

Question 19

Limitations of liberation theology (6)

Answer 19

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

Question 20

Successes of liberation theology

Answer 20

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