Christology in the Black Perspective - Essay Example

Christology in the Black Perspective Christology is a section in theology that deals with Jesus Christ’s identity, particularly in the question of his divine relation and human nature. It is the part of theology that deals with the Lord Jesus Christ and it comprises the doctrines that concern the works of Christ and Christ as a person. Jesus Christ as a person in the Most Holy Trinity is the second person, the Son of the Word of the Father. Christ was incarnated by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary and eventually made man. The mysteries and stories foretold in the Old Testament are undoubtedly revealed in Christ the person and also in the New Testament. Christology deals with the union of the divine and human natures (Cone 97). Christology in the Black perspective developed from the slavery issue and the treatment of the blacks by Christians who preached that Jesus was the savior of everyone. This ultimately led to the development of the Black Theology. The Black Theology tries to answer the question of who Christ Jesus was for the Blacks. Christology in the Black perspective examines the culture and experiences of the blacks in their journeys that has led them through the Christian faith. It evidently also includes black theology vital discussions that emerged in the US due to slavery and the experiences of the blacks in America (Cone, 98). According to Cone (110-111), Christian theology begins and ends with Christology. In accordance to the Christian gospel, Jesus Christ is the focal point and therefore it is adequately necessary to explore Jesus Christ as a person and his work in the light of the black perspective. The main question that has always been asked in black theology has always been the concern of what Christ means to the oppressed blacks in America. This leads to the investigation of Jesus Christ involving the true identity of the historical Jesus. It is paramount to understand the behavior and character of Jesus of Galilee in order to comprehend the 21st Century Jesus Christ. The relationship between the oppressed blacks and the historical Jesus Christ can be demonstrated by a serious encounter during the biblical revelation that began with the birth of Jesus Christ. This continues to Jesus’ baptism and temptation that escalates to understand the ministry of Jesus Christ. Lastly is the significant assessment of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The gospel therefore is good news regarding God work in the life, death and resurrection of Christ Jesus. This is the, begin on the focus of Christology in the black perspective. This beginning notes history as an essential foundation of Christology. The main purpose of this foundation is to take critical and serious examination historically on Jesus in the New Testament. It also ensures proper understanding of who Jesus is presently and who he was (Cone 119). The paramount idea of Jesus Christ is largely ingrained among the black religious experience. Christology in the Black perspective has been largely used to overcome oppression as well as liberation from social, political, economic views and subjugation. There has always been the view that Christianity was linked with segregation, slavery and racism. Christology in the Black perspective strives to make Christianity real for the black community. It therefore explains Christianity as an issue of present liberation now and here rather than in an afterlife. Advocates for Black Theology, emphasis on the, need for justice and freedom (Wilmore 57). Jesus Christ has been identified with those people who are socially marginalized, those under oppression and the cultural outcasts. It is for this reason the Jesus effectively reveals himself as black so as to dismantle and disrupt white oppression. Black theology contends that cultures that are dominant have severely corrupted Christianity. The core of the black theology has been that God desires the empowerment of the oppressed by various means which include self-determination, self-affirmation and self-definition (Karkkainen, 209). According to Wilmore (93), Christology in the Black perspective borrows much from the Bible on the Israelites deliverance from Egypt by God. Advocates of Black theology effectively compare the US to Egypt. They predict that the blacks who are the oppressed people will be led to a promised land soon. They emphasize that God is concerned with the people who lack economic, social and political justice and also for those who are unwanted and poor in the society. They believe that the same God, who liberated the Israelites, is the same God who is blessing and working for the blacks who are oppressed in the 20th century. They believe that God is helping the oppressed blacks and has therefore identified Himself with them. They speak of God as Black. Jesus Christ is seen from the aspect of liberation and oppression. Other texts that are borrowed from the Bible by Christology in the Black perspective include the Gospel of Luke. The book of Luke states that the lame will walk, the blind will see, the deaf will hear, the lepers will be cleaned, the dead will rise up and the poor will have the good news preached to them. Therefore it is evident that in Christ, God truly enters human affairs and notably takes sides and supports the oppressed (Wilmore 112). This means that the oppressed become His and the numerous challenges of the 20th century cannot be solved by looking at the past of what Christ did. The main reason for this is that the choices of the past are not similar to the current situation. The principle therefore according to Christology in the Black perspective means the being a Christian does not necessary mean following in his steps (Karkkainen 209). The persistent portrayal of Jesus Christ as being white is extremely objected in Christology in the Black perspective. Black theology states that Jesus Christ was not indeed white in reality. This is particularly essential for the spiritual consciousness and psychic of the black people who especially live in the ghetto. The portrayal of Christ as white according to them shows the white society’s lord as being the same as the people who victimize them. The black people strongly believe that God is whatever color He chooses to be so that He portrays Himself as somebody (Wilmore 124). The major effects of Christology are that majority of the black religious leaders try mightily much to ensure that their services attract the black communities. They also ensure that their services are largely accessible to them. This is because the black people must strongly identify with this faith so that they can adequately accept it (Wilmore 125). There is also the plea to the white community to change their attitude so that reconciliation can effectively take place. This is said to be inevitable and the repercussions are eminently severe according to the advocates of black theology. Christology in Black perspective theory and the activities of Black Power are unavoidable. Therefore, the white community is strongly argued to respond positively so that to avoid a protracted civil war (Cone 143). Theologically, the mind and heart of the black church and also the black preacher have and are always centered in Christology. The characters and stories of the Old Testament have evidently played a leading role in the black church and also in the black preachers’ experience. Christology in the Black perspective has been central. The link of Jesus been identified with the downcast, the imprisoned, the oppressed and the societies minorities who are oppressed is tremendously significant to the black people. These images of Christ are the ones that the black people base their theological identity in the ultimate link of their lives to that of Christ Jesus (Karkkainen 210). In conclusion, Christology in the Black perspective holds that the Christ of history is tremendously pertinent to the blacks understanding of whom he was and his noble significance for the black people today. The black people have affirmed that in light of their experiences, Christ is freedom. As Christ fully identified with the lowly people in his day, he presently identifies with the same people of today. Christ Jesus has truly provided the necessary freedom from economic, psycho-cultural, political and socio-psychological oppression of black people. Works Cited Cone, James H. Black Theology and Black Power. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 1989. Print. Cone, James H. The Cross and the Lynching Tree. Maryknoll, N.Y: Orbis Books, 2011. Print. Kärkkäinen, Veli-Matti. Christology: A Global Introduction. Grand Rapids (Mich.: Baker Academic, 2003. Print. Wilmore, Gayraurd S. "Black Theology: a Documentary History: Volume Two 1980-1992." (1993). Print. Read More