Transformative Pedagogy, Black Theology and Participative forms of Praxis

Anthony Reddie

doi:10.3390/rel9100317

Abstract

This paper outlines the development of a form of scholarship that seeks to bring together transformative modes of pedagogy that have become commonplace in Christian religious education alongside the liberative themes to be found in Black theology. The paper summarises the significant contributions of Paulo Freire to transformative pedagogy and conscientization as the first stage in this developing work. This formative analysis is then followed by reflections on the significant developments in religious education by and for Black people, principally in the US. In the final part of the paper, I describe my own participative approaches to Black theology by means of transformative pedagogy, which utilises interactive exercises as a means of combining the insights of the aforementioned ideas and themes into a transformative mode of teaching and learning.

Highlights

My scholarship has always existed at the nexus of Black theology and Christian education
I want White participants to become Christian activists who will resist the toxic tentacles of racism. This overarching approach to liberative pedagogy is one that recognizes the significance of personal, subjective, and affective learning as a conduit for a transformative, anti-racist practice of Christian discipleship. It utilizes a critical nexus of liberative pedagogy and participative
Black theological reflection via performative forms of action, in order to raise the critical consciousness of learners and so bring about new forms of embodied, liberationist inspired models of Christian praxis

Summary

Introduction

My scholarship has always existed at the nexus of Black theology and Christian education.1 In terms of the latter, my work has been concerned with using the frameworks of radical, liberative education as a conduit for undertaking Black theological focussed work. The purpose of this scholarship is the conscientization and Christian formation of ordinary lay people and those training for public, authorized, Christian ministry. My participative approach to undertaking Black theological scholarship is one that seeks to use models of experiential learning, such as exercises and games, role-play and drama as an interactive means of engaging with adult learners, in order that they can be impacted by, learn from and contribute to the development of new knowledge concerning the theory and practice of Black Theology.

Christian Education as the Practice of Freedom

Transformative Christian Education in the Black Experience

Black Theology

Black Christian Education

Participative Approaches Black Theological Pedagogy

Conclusions