ABSTRACTApologia for Black Liberation: The Concept of God in James H. Cone’s Black Liberation Theology and William R. Jones’ Humanocentric TheismBy Brittany L. O’Neal During the formative years of Black Liberation Theology in the 1960s there was a collective understanding that Black liberation was necessary, however there was not much agreement on the optimal way for liberation to be actualized in the lived reality of African Americans. This dissertation explores two factions of Black Liberation Theology; the conventional views of Black Liberation Theology through the auspice of James H. Cone and the philosophical theology of Williams R. Jones' humanocentric theism. The former is an avid supporter of a Christian, biblical-focused theology and the latter fills a theological position aligned with philosophical tendencies. The purpose of this dissertation is to examine the doctrinal shifts that have accompanied Black Liberation Theology (BLT) as a new conceptual position in Liberation Studies. This dissertation explores the dialectical dimensions of concepts of God and whether the respective theologies of Cone and Jones undergird a system of oppression. Black Liberation Theology needs to be reassessed for two reasons; because we need to (re)examine our value systems to ensure they are in fact working in our favor and to ensure Black Liberation Theology includes theological perspectives outside the traditional confines of Christian theology. Other forms of theism and nontheism; including secular humanism and atheism are considered as relevant religious perspectives for African Americans. As a way to forward an ideology of liberation, this study examines the potentiality of a philosophical framework as a viable and sufficient method for African Americans Studies. Consequently, this dissertation is descriptive and corrective in it examination of two unique concepts of God associated with Black Liberation Theology.
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