The Divided Mind of the Black Church: Theology, Piety & Public Witness

Concisely and clearly, Warnock describes the status of black theology from his position in the pulpit of Ebenezer Baptist Church, Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic church in Atlanta, where the author serves as senior pastor. He traces the evolution of black theology in reaction to and in spite of marginalization from white mainstream Protestant denominations. Warnock writes that a truly unified black church would embrace the more radical tenets of King’s philosophy by working on behalf of social justice and the core identity of the black church, which he sees centered on liberation. Estimating that at least 70% of the black church is comprised of black women, Warnock also critiques womanist theology as elite, arguing also that its view of sacrifice and the cross is too limiting. The book reads as an altar call to action that honors the liberationist roots of a global church community, regardless of race or gender. (Jan.)