Liberating Black Theology: The Bible and the Black Experience in America [Paperback]

Anthony B. Bradley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 28, 2010

When the beliefs of Barack Obama's former pastor, Rev. JeremiahWright, assumed the spotlight during the 2008 presidentialcampaign, the influence of black liberation theology became hotlydebated not just within theological circles but across culturallines. How many of today's African-American congregations-and howmany Americans in general-have been shaped by its view of blacks asperpetual victims of white oppression?

In this interdisciplinary, biblical critique of the blackexperience in America, Anthony Bradley introduces audiences toblack liberation theology and its spiritual and social impact. Hestarts with James Cone's proposition that the "victim" mind-set isinherent within black consciousness. Bradley then explores how suchbiblical misinterpretation has historically hindered black churchesin addressing the diverse issues of their communities and preventedadherents from experiencing the freedoms of the gospel. YetLiberating Black Theology does more than consider theramifications of this belief system; it suggests an alternateapproach to the black experience that can truly liberate allChrist-followers.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Anthony Bradley's analysis of black liberation theology is by far the best thing that I have read on the subject. Anthony's book is comprehensive and in-depth. He covers all of the bases, and thereby provides the reader with all of the information that he needs to understand the critical issues involved with black liberation theology. By covering such figures as James Cone, Cornell West, and Jeremiah Wright, we see all of the nuances involved with their approaches to the subject. His explanation of victimology, Marxism, and aberrant Christian doctrine make a noxious mix of ideas that would make any true Christian wary of anything even approaching black liberation theology. His keen insight into these ideas and his clarity of writing make this book a jewel. Anthony has done the Christian community a great service by writing this book. There was a significant need for a work of this type and its arrival is long overdue."
—Craig Vincent Mitchell, Assistant Professor of Christian Ethics, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

"I have read a number of books which purport to explain, define, or critique black liberation theology, but Liberating Black Theology is the easiest to understand. This is because Dr. Bradley unapologetically maintains a biblical, orthodox perspective while being sympathetic to the issues and concerns of black liberation theologians. The book should be required reading for any seminary class on biblical interpretation and for seminary students and pastors interested in understanding the history and struggles of the black church in America."
—Wy Plummer, African American Ministries Coordinator, Mission to North America, Presbyterian Church in America

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Review

"Anthony Bradley's analysis of black liberation theology is by far the best thing that I have read on the subject. Anthony's book is comprehensive and in-depth. He covers all of the bases, and thereby provides the reader with all of the information that he needs to understand the critical issues involved with black liberation theology. By covering such figures as James Cone, Cornell West, and Jeremiah Wright, we see all of the nuances involved with their approaches to the subject. His explanation of victimology, Marxism, and aberrant Christian doctrine make a noxious mix of ideas that would make any true Christian wary of anything even approaching black liberation theology. His keen insight into these ideas and his clarity of writing make this book a jewel. Anthony has done the Christian community a great service by writing this book. There was a significant need for a work of this type and its arrival is long overdue."
—Craig Vincent Mitchell, Assistant Professor of Christian Ethics, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

"I have read a number of books which purport to explain, define, or critique black liberation theology, but Liberating Black Theology is the easiest to understand. This is because Dr. Bradley unapologetically maintains a biblical, orthodox perspective while being sympathetic to the issues and concerns of black liberation theologians. The book should be required reading for any seminary class on biblical interpretation and for seminary students and pastors interested in understanding the history and struggles of the black church in America."
—Wy Plummer, African American Ministries Coordinator, Mission to North America, Presbyterian Church in America

"With irenic tone Bradley reveals the theological justification of racial separation inherent within the victimization philosophy of both first generation and second generation black theology. His analysis demonstrates how the vision of Cone and his intellectual offspring contributes to rather than resolves DuBois' problem of the twentieth (now twenty-first!) century."
—Eric C. Redmond, Senior Pastor, Reformation Alive Baptist Church, Temple Hills, Maryland

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Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Crossway Books (February 28, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1433511479
• ISBN-13: 978-1433511479
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #544,248 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Anthony B. Bradley, Ph.D., associate professor of theology and ethics at The King's College in New York City and a research fellow at the Acton Institute. Dr. Bradley holds Bachelor of Science in biological sciences from Clemson University, a Master of Divinity from Covenant Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Westminster Theological Seminary. As a research fellow, Dr. Bradley lectures at colleges, universities, business organizations, conferences, and churches throughout the U.S. and abroad. His writings on religious and cultural issues have been published in a variety of journals, including: the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Detroit News, and World Magazine.

Dr. Bradley is called upon by members of the broadcast media for comment on current issues and has appeared on NPR, CNN/Headline News, Fox News and Court TV Radio, among others. He studies and writes on issues of race in America, hip hop, youth culture, issues among African Americans, the American family, welfare, education, and modern international forms of social injustice, slavery, and oppression. His dissertation explores the intersection of black liberation theology and economics. From 2005-2009, Dr. Bradley was Assistant Professor of Systematic Theology and Ethics at Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, MO where he also directed the Francis A. Schaeffer Institute.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A World Many Are Probably Not Familiar With, June 10, 2010

By 

T. Brockman - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Liberating Black Theology: The Bible and the Black Experience in America (Paperback)

The Bible is about Jesus Christ. This is the historical, orthodox view. As Luke 24:27 tells us, it was also the view of Jesus, "Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he [Jesus] explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself." The Bible then, is to be read and understood through that lens - it is centrally about the Person and Work of Jesus Christ. This however is not the view of Black Liberation Theology.

According to Black Liberation Theology, the central interpretive lens through which the Bible is read and understood is... well, maybe you should just read the book and find out!

Because most readers will be unfamiliar with Black Liberation Theology, I would rate this book as an "Intermediate" level read.

Strengths:
A helpful introduction to Black Liberation Theology. Bradley's primary focus is on the work of James Cone and Cornel West. Bradley works hard at fairly, respectfully, and accurately representing their views. He is also sympathetic to the historical context that influenced their work, particularly that of Cone, even though in the end Bradley disagrees with the approach of Cone and West to God and Scripture. 5 stars in terms of a very helpful, respectful introduction, and critique of Black Liberation Theology from the perspective of an orthodox Christian scholar.

Weaknesses:
The book needed a better editor. Since many readers will be unfamiliar with Black Liberation Theology each page feels like you are taking in new information (which certainly makes for an enjoyable reading experience). However, it requires some effort and an editor with a better understanding of the potential audience could have served this work better. Minus 1 star for this reason.

I recommend the book.

And it doesn't hurt to read it in the current historical context of having a sitting President of the United States who for 20 years attended a church strongly influenced and centered around Black Liberation Theology. The reader can draw his or her own conclusions about that.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just trying to understand it, September 11, 2010

By 

T. Moody (Corpus Christi, TX United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Liberating Black Theology: The Bible and the Black Experience in America (Paperback)

I had seen this author on a news commentary show, and the subject seemed so interesting. Being a conservative white (although married to a conservative black) this thinking of Black Liberation Theology seemed so foreign to me - I just wanted to understand the logic behind it. The author does a great job of explaining BLT and why it is not in agreement to Scripture. Although full of reference, I didn't find the book difficult to read. I still don't agree with BLT by any means, but at least I now understand the thinking behind the theology and why so many choose to be a "victim".

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Info but a little heady, September 9, 2010

By 

R. Greer "refined fyter" (Dallas, TX) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Liberating Black Theology: The Bible and the Black Experience in America (Paperback)

Great understanding of the subject matter and excellent analysis. A must read for anyone interested in effectively dealing with or combating this heresy that has overtaken the "African-American" church. My only criticism would be that it is a bit too "academic" in a number of places, which I think may lose or discourage diligence among none academics. Excellent book overall.