White Island in a Black Sea: An Examination of Christology and Race in a Southern Church

In this thesis I explore the relationship between the Christological ideas and racial attitudes of Christians in a Southern Church. Using anthropological research methods, place theory, and reflexive analysis, I discovered two cohorts within the field of my study: the non-innocent oblivious cohort and the growing awareness cohort. The data collected showed a correlation between the non-innocent oblivious cohort and theological models that parallell Tertullian. Christians in this cohort evince an inability to recognize the ways in which whiteness provides social and economic advantages in the community. Moreover, they are oblivious to the disadvantages that accompany blackness. On the other hand, the theology of the growing awareness cohort parallels the relational theology of Irenaeus, and the members of this cohort demonstrate an awareness of white advantage and black disadvantage in the community. Theology, relationships with the Other, and discipleship practices (Bible study, regular worship, and community service) emerge as the salient components that distinguish the two cohorts.

Grantor dc:publisher

Wake Forest University

Year dc:date.issued

2011

Author dc:creator

• Goocey, Joshua Matthew

• Christology

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10339/33481

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:wakespace.lib.wfu.edu:10339/33481