Black Theology

     James Cone's groundbreaking work in Black theology drew inspiration from leaders like Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. Their advocacy for social justice and equality resonated deeply with Cone's theological framework, which posited that God is actively present in the struggle for liberation. In Cone's theology, the voices of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. are integral. Malcolm X's call for self-determination and King's message of nonviolent resistance both spoke to Cone's vision of a God who stands with the oppressed.

    Cone's approach prompts us to consider what might have happened if these leaders had not emerged to champion the cause of equality. Would their voices have been drowned out by oppression and systemic racism, or would others have risen to continue their work? Their legacy serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for justice and equality. By reflecting on their teachings and actions, we are inspired to confront injustice and work towards a more equitable society.

Feminism in Religion

    Today in class I was introduced to the topic of feminist theology. Beginning my theological journey, the recent introduction to feminist theology has sparked a newfound curiosity and ignited a desire to explore faith through a gender-inclusive lens. As a beginner in the realm of theology, the concept of feminist theology is both intriguing and empowering, offering a fresh perspective on the intersection of gender, spirituality, and social justice within religious traditions. While I may not have extensively explored the intricacies of feminist theology yet, its principles of equality, inclusivity, and the amplification of marginalized voices resonate deeply with me.

    As I start to navigate feminist theology, I am eager to explore how it challenges traditional interpretations of religious texts and doctrines through a feminist critique. I am excited to learn about the diverse range of feminist theologians and their contributions, from reimagining sacred narratives to advocating for gender equity within religious institutions. As I embark on this journey, I am filled with anticipation for the ways in which feminist theology will expand my understanding of faith, inspire critical reflection, and empower me to actively engage in the pursuit of justice and equality.

Liberation

    How do you explain the oppression of individuals through the lens of religion? Many theologians in history attempted to answer this question and sought justice for those facing poverty by giving them a say in social and political reforms. Liberation theology is how some chose to explain immense poverty combined with religion. 

    Thanks to Gustavo Gutierrez and early Latin America liberation theology emerged quickly as a new viewpoint in religion focused on the liberation of the oppressed. In this region it was adopted by a vast majority simply because there were so many marginalized communities that were facing the exact preaching's of liberation theology. Although its not as popular in todays society, liberation theology is a focal point in history as it forced the church to answer social injustice.

Faith Seeking Understanding

Early on in the semester we established that theology is considered to be faith seeking understanding. At first this concept was confusing to me. As I've established a foundation for  what theology actually is this phrase has become quite relevant to me. There is lot's of interpretation when it comes to the understanding of this statement.

I believe the term faith in this attributes to one's initial belief or faith in a religious tradition. With this initial faith it's important to start seeking a deeper understanding of the topic through thorough reflection and inquiry. In the Army we have this idea of a life-long learner. I believe it's easy for me to relate these two because regardless of how much information you think you know or how smart you think you are, you can never learn to much. Faith seeking understanding is a perfect example of being a life-long learner as it promotes a broader understanding of religion which is typically someone follows for their entire life on earth.

Crosses

     Have you ever paid attention to the details of a cross? The first time I did I noticed the letters INRI written above Jesus's head. INRI stands for Jesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews. When you start to notice the small details of the regular crucifix you may see that Jesus is being pinned in the center of his hands. Not that this is a huge factor but it isn't realistic. This is why there have been different forms of the cross adopted. 

    There are many variations to the cross however  I want to specifically mention the three that we have learned about in this class. These crosses are the regular crucifix, the papal crucifix and the priestly/altar Christ. I simply wanted to bring light to the difference's in these crosses and allow you to do your own research. Based on your research feel free to comment on the blog and let me know which one interest you the most.

Predestination

    Do you believe that everything happens for a reason, and that as humans we have no control over out future? If you do you may believe in a form of predestination. Predestination is essentially the idea that God had predetermined who will and will not receive salvation.

    When learning about this in class it was a tough concept for me to wrap my head around. As a Christian I've been taught that no matter the severity I would be able to repent my sins. If these were to be true simultaneously it's seems conflicting. There are ways around this view and the main one that stick out to me is the idea that God already knows what acts an individual will commit, because of this it is possible for both scenarios to exist simultaneously. What situations do you think allow for both of the to be plausible.

Televised Stories

 Is it morally correct to have Jesus's life televised? At a simple glance I would say yes however, upon critical evaluation it seems much more complex. I grew up with Christianity as the main religion being exposed to me. Over the years I can admit that I lost touch with my sense of religion and it's something I'd like to implement back into my life. Since starting this theology course I noticed I have a deeper understanding of various religions and though I'm not sure exactly what I believe in I have a true sense of respect for all.

Recently I've come across a show on Hulu called "Jesus: His Life." Being intrigued from what I've already learned in class I decided to give it a try. I found that it's really easy to understand Jesus's story now that I have studied him from an academic standpoint. The threat I can see a televised version of his life imposing is the  potential for dramatization. I don't want to go to in depth on this topic I just wanted to propose a question to get everybody's brain working. My answer to this question is that as long as it does add to scripture and it is also aligned with scripture then this shouldn't be an issue. In this case I believe it to be morally correct and it can even promote an easier way of understanding and reach a broader audience.