Book: Black Theology, Slavery and Contemporary Christianity

Just published: "Black Theology, Slavery and Contemporary Christianity: 200 Years and No Apology", edited by Anthony G. Reddie (Ashgate, August 2010):

www.ashgate.com/default.aspx?page=637&calcTitle=1&title_id=9106&edition_id=11894

Publisher's description: "Black Theology, Slavery and Contemporary Christianity explores the legacy of slavery in Black theological terms. Challenging the dominant approaches to the history and legacy of slavery in the British Empire, the contributors show that although the 1807 act abolished the slave trade, it did not end racism, notions of White supremacy, or the demonization of Blackness, Black people and Africa. This interdisciplinary study draws on biblical studies, history, missiology and Black theological reflection, exploring the strengths and limitations of faith as the framework for abolitionist rhetoric and action. This Black theological approach to the phenomenon of the trans-Atlantic slave trade and the institution of slavery draws on contributions from Africa, the Caribbean, North America and Europe."

Endorsements: "An important interpretation of black liberation theology." (James H. Cone, Union Theological Seminary)

"This is the first intellectually formidable book on the Atlantic slave phenomenon from the perspective of Black Theology. The interdisciplinary scholarship and the cast of scholars and practitioner contributors to this text are unprecedented." (Dwight N. Hopkins, University of Chicago)

"Not always easy or comfortable, the essays force the reader to confront vital moral and theological problems, not merely of the historical past, but of the contemporary world. They tease out the anomalies (of Christianity's role both in supporting, and then in ending slavery) and the challenges faced by Christians when studying the painful story of enslavement in the Atlantic world." (Jim Walvin, University of York)

Anthony G. Reddie is a Research Fellow at the Queen's Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Education in Birmingham.

Book: Politics Reformed: The Anglo-American Legacy of Covenant Theology

Just published: Glenn A. Moots, "Politics Reformed: The Anglo-American Legacy of Covenant Theology" (University of Missouri Press, June 2010):

http://press.umsystem.edu/spring2010/moots.htm

Publisher's description: "Many studies have considered the Bible's relationship to politics, but almost all have ignored the heart of its narrative and theology: the covenant. In this book, Glenn Moots explores the political meaning of covenants past and present by focusing on the theory and application of covenantal politics from the sixteenth through the eighteenth centuries. Moots demands that we revisit political theology because it served as the most important school of politics in early modern Europe and America. He describes the strengths of the covenant tradition while also presenting its limitations and dangers. Contemporary political scientists such as Eric Voegelin, Daniel Elazar, and David Novak are called on to provide insight into both the covenant's history and its relevance today.

"Moots's work chronicles and critiques the covenant tradition while warning against both political ideology and religious enthusiasm. It provides an inclusive and objective outline of covenantal politics by considering the variations of Reformed theology and their respective consequences for political practice. This includes a careful account of how covenant theology took root on the European continent in the sixteenth century and then inspired ecclesiastical and civil politics in England, Scotland, and America. Moots goes beyond the usual categories of Calvinism or Puritanism to consider the larger movement of which both were a part. By integrating philosophy, theology, and history, Moots also invites investigation of broader political traditions such as natural law and natural right. Politics Reformed demonstrates how the application of political theology over three centuries has important lessons for our own dilemmas about church and state. It makes a provocative contribution to understanding foundational questions in an era of rising fundamentalism and emboldened secularism, inspiring readers to rethink the importance of religion in political theory and practice, and the role of the covenant tradition in particular."

Endorsements: "This remarkable overview of history and opinion regarding the political theory of the covenant will undoubtedly become a standard resource on the history of this topic." (Thomas S. Kidd, Baylor University)

"Politics Reformed provides a clear and readable study of the idea of covenant in the Anglo-American setting. A particular contribution is its analysis of the place of the natural law tradition in Reformed political theology – a tradition missed by many even within Reformed circles." (Jeffry H. Morrison, Regent University)

Glenn A. Moots is Associate Professor of Political Science and Philosophy at Northwood University, Michigan campus.

JOB: Public Theology Administrative Assistant (full-time, temporary)

The Evangelical Alliance, Whitefield House, 186 Kennington Park Road, London, SE11 4BT, England, is looking for a

Public Theology Administrative Assistant (full-time, temporary)

This role involves providing administrative and secretarial assistance to the Public Theology Team, responding to enquiries, arranging and facilitating meetings, assisting in the production and distribution of Public Theology publications, and providing support (including co-ordinating logistics) as the Alliance conducts a large-scale research project at festivals, conferences, and member churches this summer. Candidates would benefit from an interest in politics and/or theology. The successful candidate will have: proven administrative or secretarial skills; the ability to use initiative and take responsibility for tasks; excellent communication and relational skills; positive team-working attitude. All applicants must be committed to the aims and ethos of the Evangelical Alliance.

Salary: ca. £20,000 p.a., plus benefits

A detailed job description, person specification, terms and conditions, applicants guidance notes, etc. are to be found here:

www.eauk.org/vacancies

Please apply online or download an application form from the site and e-mail it to the Evangelical Alliance HR Department: hr@eauk.org

CVs will not be accepted.

Closing date: 14 May 2010

Interviews: 20 May 2010

Book: What Makes a Good Church? Public Theology and the Urban Church

Elaine Graham and Stephen Lowe, "What Makes a Good Church? Public Theology and the Urban Church" (Darton, Longman and Todd, June 2009):

www.dltbooks.com/book_details.asp?bID=940&bc=0&sID=ALL&Type=B&cp=1

Publisher's description: "In its Faithful Cities report (2006), the [Anglican Archbishops'] Commission on Urban Life and Faith [of which both Graham and Lowe were members] identified the question 'What makes a good city?' as a key catalyst for thinking about the future of our cities and towns. In this groundbreaking work of practical theology, the authors [...] explore this question in depth, from historical, social, economic and spiritual perspectives and offer a vision for the long-term future of the 'good city'".

Elaine Graham is Grosvenor Research Professor at the University of Chester. Until October 2009, she was the Samuel Ferguson Professor of Social and Pastoral Theology at the University of Manchester. From 2005 to 2007, she served as President of the International Academy of Practical Theology.

Stephen Lowe retired from his position as suffragan Bishop of Hulme, in the Anglican Diocese of Manchester, in July 2009. From 2006, he was the Church of England's first Bishop for Urban Life and Faith. He also chaired its Urban Bishops Panel.

Phillip Blond's "ResPublica" think tank and Radical Orthodoxy

Check over at my personal blog for an assessment of the latest development in UK political theology: Phillip Blond, a former Senior Lecturer in theology and philosophy at the University of Cumbria, has been able to raise 1.5 million pounds to launch his own think tank, called "ResPublica":

www.erichkofmel.com/2009/12/phillip-blonds-respublica-think-tank.html

Blond has shot to the attention of the UK media only this year and has been hailed as Tory leader (and possible prime minister come May 2010) David Cameron's "philosopher king". ResPublica was launched on 26 November in the presence of Cameron, but the financial backers behind it remain anonymous. It stands to reason, though, that they are in support of the ideas associated with what Blond calls "Red Toryism".

Phillip Blond is a part of the Anglican Radical Orthodoxy movement. Radical Orthodoxy set out, hardly ten years ago, from Cambridge's Peterhouse College to renew the Church of England. Already the current Archbishop of Canterbury, and head of the Anglican community, Rowan Williams, is said to be an adherent of Radical Orthodoxy. And now the movement has gained influence over Tory policy and the likely next prime minister. Radical-orthodox political theology has a chance to become for the UK what black liberation theology arguably has become under Barack Obama in the US.

"Political theology" equals terrorism?

Point of interest: We are all terrorists.

The keyword "political theology" now triggers the following paid-for Google Ad (at least on Google's UK site):

Report terrorism

Independent charity, not the police

Report terrorism anonymously

www.Crimestoppers-uk.org

Should anyone reading this be engaged in terrorist actitivies (rather than search "political theology" on Google for religious or academic and research purposes), please denounce yourself.

Cheers,

Erich

(Update: As of 6 November, the above ad does not seem to show up on Google anymore.)