Alexander, Valentina Elinor (1996) "Breaking every fetter?" : to what extent has the black led church in Britain developed a theology of liberation? PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

The last half of the twentieth century has seen the development of several
significant Christian theologies of liberation. These have emerged out of
historical contexts of race, class and gender oppression and have been initiated
by Christian communities and individuals who seek to respond to their social,
economic and political contexts through the medium of their Christian faith. This
study seeks firstly to explore the central criteria for the creation of such
theologies and then to use these criteria as a means of exploring the ways in
which the Black Led Church has been able to engage with the concept and
material realities of liberation within its own British context.
The exploration begins with an analysis of five key developmental themes which
have had a significant impact on the Church's relationship to both its theology
and its manifestation of liberation. These themes are then further developed
through six essential criteria for liberation which are applied to its contemporary
interaction in British society. The study argues that the syncretistic foundation of
the Church stands as both a source and a limitation to full theological liberation.
Nonetheless, a holistic and contextual liberational spirituality does exist and
provides an essential energy for both passive and radical change.
The methodological emphasis is contextual. Therefore the study draws heavily
from transcripts of interviews and services and also utilises, as much as
possible, works produced by Church and network organisations in addition to the
observation carried out at five key denominations in Birmingham. The study's
emphasis on a contextual understanding of theological liberation is important in
that it firmly aligns the Church with meaningful liberation in Britain - not only for
its members, but also for wider Black communities. In so doing it highlights the
often unacknowledged role of the Church in the cultural and political mobilisation
of Black people in British society.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BR Christianity
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Blacks -- Great Britain -- Religion, Liberation theology -- Great Britain, Great Britain -- Church history -- 20th century
Official Date:	October 1996
Dates:	Date Event October 1996 Submitted
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Centre for Caribbean Studies
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Extent:	viii, I417 leaves
Language:	eng

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