Activist Theology

1. Activist Theology: Bridging Scholarship and Social Change

Activist theology is bridging scholarship and activism; it is rooted in translating theory to action and theology to praxis, because doing the work and the everyday living out of theological values and ethics is most important, especially in a world where intangible ideas and theory are prioritized.

Democratizing ideas. Activist theology seeks to make theological concepts accessible and actionable for all. It operates at the intersection of church, academia, and social justice movements, aiming to dismantle oppressive systems like white supremacy, economic supremacy, and Christian supremacy.

Praxis-oriented approach. This framework emphasizes the importance of living out theological values in everyday life, rather than merely theorizing about them. It prioritizes responding to the world's needs over addressing the failings of religious institutions, focusing on incubating sustainable change through concrete actions.

Collective liberation. Activist theology is normatively oriented towards collective liberation, envisioning a world where all individuals can flourish. This approach requires a commitment to bridging across lines of radical difference and engaging in the deep relational work of humanizing our differences.

2. The Power of Story in Transforming Hearts and Minds

Because words matter, because supremacy culture is real, because none of us are free until all of us are free, because of this and because of who midwifes me into becoming a more grounded theologian and ethicist whose politics are ones that keep me honest and accountable to those who are most affected by multi-system oppression, I use the term activist theology to describe my work of translating theory to action and theology to practice.

Narrative as transformation. Stories have the unique ability to change hearts and minds, creating conditions for social healing. By sharing authentic, personal narratives, we can engage people's emotions and mobilize them towards integrating heart, mind, and body in pursuit of social change.

Connecting to roots. Storytelling allows individuals to reconnect with their roots and understand their place within larger narratives of struggle and resistance. This process of restorying ourselves can lead to personal transformation and a deeper commitment to social justice.

Building community. Through sharing stories, we create opportunities for building community and fostering a sense of belonging across lines of difference. This communal aspect is crucial for sustaining long-term activism and creating a more loving world.

3. Embracing Divine Doubt and Questioning the Status Quo

Having it tattooed on my hands reminds me that my orientation is one of doubt and the active practice of doubting the certainty that the tradition demands.

Challenging certainty. Divine doubt serves as a powerful tool for questioning established religious and social norms. It encourages a critical examination of beliefs and practices that may perpetuate injustice or oppression.

Openness to transformation. Embracing doubt allows for greater openness to new ideas and perspectives, fostering personal and collective growth. It challenges the "tyranny of certainty" that often characterizes religious and social institutions.

Balancing faith and action. While doubt is valued, it is balanced with a commitment to action. This approach encourages individuals to live out their values and ethics, even in the face of uncertainty, prioritizing orthopraxy (right action) over orthodoxy (right belief).

4. Disruption as a Catalyst for Social and Spiritual Transformation

Disruption has paralyzed us into a way of being human with one another that perpetuates a logic that is death dealing. We no longer know how to be human with each other or with ourselves because disruption has taken it all.

Recognizing systemic injustice. Disruptions, such as racial violence and social unrest, expose the deep-seated injustices in our society. They force us to confront the ways in which our systems perpetuate harm against marginalized communities.

Catalyzing change. While disruptive events can be traumatic, they also create opportunities for transformation. They can motivate people to take action and reimagine a more just and equitable world.

Rehumanizing relationships. The work of responding to disruption involves learning to be human with one another again. This requires developing new ways of relating across differences and cultivating empathy and compassion.

5. The Struggle for Justice: A Constant Companion in Activism

The struggle to be fully human as a queer person is the work of all of humanity.

Embracing struggle. Rather than viewing struggle as something to be avoided, activist theology recognizes it as a necessary and valuable part of the journey towards justice. It acknowledges that the fight for human rights and dignity is ongoing and requires persistence.

Intersectionality of struggles. The text emphasizes that various forms of oppression are interconnected. The struggle for queer rights, for example, is seen as part of the larger struggle for all of humanity to fully recognize and respect the dignity of every individual.

Collective responsibility. By framing the struggle for justice as "the work of all of humanity," the author emphasizes that creating a more just world is a shared responsibility, not just the burden of those directly experiencing oppression.

6. Reframing Theology as Action-Oriented Praxis

There is no theology without activism, and there is no activist without theology.

Integration of belief and action. This approach to theology insists on the inseparability of belief and practice. It challenges the traditional focus on abstract theological concepts, instead emphasizing the importance of living out one's beliefs through concrete actions.

Responding to real-world issues. Activist theology is deeply concerned with addressing pressing social concerns. It seeks to translate theological insights into practical strategies for creating positive change in the world.

Continuous reflection and action. This framework encourages a cyclical process of reflection and action, where theological insights inform activism, and experiences of activism in turn shape theological understanding.

7. Confronting Economic Supremacy and Class Privilege

The world must be transformed not only through the renewing of our minds but also by and through the renewing of our social practices—living our ethics out loud and being mindful of the impact of our behaviors.

Critiquing capitalism. The text challenges the dominant capitalist system, highlighting how it perpetuates inequality and injustice. It calls for a critical examination of our relationship with money and consumption.

Personal responsibility. While acknowledging systemic issues, the author emphasizes the importance of individual choices in confronting economic supremacy. This includes mindful consumption practices and supporting alternative economic models.

Solidarity with the marginalized. The text encourages readers to consider how their economic choices impact those most affected by poverty and economic injustice, advocating for practices that prioritize collective well-being over individual gain.

8. Cultivating Resilience in the Face of Oppression and Violence

Resilience is one of the most important elements of activist theology, because if all theology is ethics, then resilience becomes the centrality of activist theology, and without resilience, there is no activism to the theology and no theology to the activism.

Sustaining long-term activism. Resilience is crucial for maintaining engagement in social justice work over time, especially in the face of setbacks and ongoing challenges. It involves developing practices that support mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

Countering burnout. The text emphasizes the importance of rest and renewal, suggesting practices like daily siestas and technology sabbaths as ways to resist the constant pressure for productivity and maintain energy for activism.

Building collective strength. Resilience is not just an individual practice but a communal one. It involves creating supportive networks and communities that can sustain each other through difficulties and celebrate successes together.

9. Following Jesus' Example of Revolutionary Love and Resistance

Following the ways of Jesus is costly if we desire radical social change that eradicates all forms of violence.

Reinterpreting Jesus' teachings. The text presents Jesus as a model of resistance against oppressive systems, emphasizing his commitment to the marginalized and his challenges to the status quo.

Costly discipleship. Following Jesus' example is framed as a demanding path that may involve personal sacrifice in the pursuit of justice and radical social change.

Revolutionary love. The concept of revolutionary love is central to this approach, calling for a deep commitment to compassion and justice that goes beyond conventional understandings of Christian love.

Last updated: August 13, 2024