Children of the Waters of Meribah: Black Liberation Theology, the Miriamic Tradition, and the Challenges of Twenty-First-Century Empire

by Allan Aubrey Boesak

Publisher:

Cascade Books

, 2019

In the decades since Black liberation theology burst onto the scene, it has turned the world of church, society, and academia upside down. It has changed lives and ways of thinking as well. But now there is a question: What lessons has Black theology not learned as times have changed? In this expansion of the 2017 Yale Divinity School Beecher Lectures, Allan Boesak explores this question. If Black liberation theology had taken the issues discussed in these pages much more seriously--struggled with them much more intensely, thoroughly, and honestly--would it have been in a better position to help oppressed black people in Africa, the United States, and oppressed communities everywhere as they have faced the challenges of the last twenty-five years? In a critical, self-critical engagement with feminist and, especially, African feminist theologians in a trans-disciplinary conversation, Allan Boesak, as Black liberation theologian from the Global South, offers tentative but intriguing responses to the vital questions facing Black liberation theology today, particularly those questions raised by the women.

Praise for Children of the Waters of Meribah

“In the current context of global growth of nationalism, popularism, racism, xenophobia, homophobia, and pushback on gender justice, Children of the Waters of Meribah by Allan Boesak offers a timely lens through which to understand Jesus’ statement in John 10:10, which says: ‘The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.’ He is reminding us that Black Theology provides one perspective to interpret the intersection of race, gender, class, and biblical scholarship when reading the signs of our times. I find his analysis and reflections very inspiring and I recommend the book to theology students, academics, church leaders, and laity. It is a welcome addition to the Black Theology discourse with a global outreach.”

—Isabel Apawo Phiri, Deputy General Secretary, World Council of Churches



“In what I consider to be his best work in a post-apartheid context, Allan Aubrey Boesak demonstrates a sharp and brilliant mind that is able to engage critically with the demands of decoloniality today. Noting that for the African Christian, the issues of the Christian faith and being African are two equal yet conflicting elements in this Christian, Boesak nonetheless reminds this African Reformed Christian that although many strides had been made since the inception of the Reformation, the issues of our Africanness are yet to be dealt with ethically and profoundly.”

—Rothney S Tshaka, Director, School of Humanities, College of Human Sciences, University of South Africa

Product Details

• Title : Children of the Waters of Meribah: Black Liberation Theology, the Miriamic Tradition, and the Challenges of Twenty-First-Century Empire
• Author: Boesak, Allan Aubrey
• Publisher: Cascade Books
• Publication Date: 2019
• ISBN: 9781532656736

About Allan Aubrey Boesak

Allen Aubrey Boesak is the first holder of the Desmond Tutu Chair for Peace, Global Justice, and Reconciliation Studies, a joint position at Butler University and Christian Theological Seminary, Indianapolis. His previous books include Radical Reconciliation: Beyond Political Pietism and Christian Quietism, The Tenderness of Conscience: African Renaissance and the Spirituality of Politics, and Farewell to Innocence.