Activist Theology

by Robyn Henderson-Espinoza, Nancy Elizabeth Bedford (Foreword)

In this searing and personal book, intellectual activist and theologian Robyn Henderson-Espinoza bridges the gap between academia and activism, bringing the wisdom of the streets to the work of scholarship, all for the sake of political liberation and social change for marginalized communities. This is an invitation--a powerful and provocative call-to-action--to academic theologians to the work of social activism through movement building. Activist Theology summons all to take up radical acts of labor that uses scholarship and contemplation to build bridges with difference and make connections of solidarity, rooted in collective action. Featuring poetry by Brittini "Ree Belle" Gray, this rich and interdisciplinary work draws on continental philosophy, queer theology, and critical class theory in accessible and artful ways, using story, personal narratives, and sharp cultural analysis to bring clarity to the methods, sources, and objectives of activist theology. This is a key step forward in the contemporary conversation about theology and social action and will be essential reading for all those who want to see theology and ethics break new ground in the work of justice, hope, and liberation for all.

Genres: Theology, Spirituality, LGBT, Social Justice, Religion, Faith, Activism

137 pages, Hardcover

Published October 1, 2019

Reviews

[Jocelyn Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Which is more important- what we believe, or what we do with what we believe? Is theology meant to be discussed in the hallways of academia and the pulpits of churches, or is it meant to be lived? In their book, Activist Theology, Robyn Henderson-Espinoza makes a case for the fact that if we identify as followers of Jesus, we should commit ourselves to standing with those in the margins, like Jesus did. Robyn calls out the systems of power that have marginalized groups of people, and challenges the reader to actively stand against those systems of power. Throughout the book, Robyn shares parts of their personal story, through which they demonstrate both the need for and power of living as an activist theologian.

The book ends with a collection of poetry written by Ree Belle. I was not familiar with this poet, but was deeply moved by each poem. It was a beautiful surprise and a picture of one practical way to put Robyn's theories into practice.

I would consider this book a must-read for anyone who calls themselves a follower of Jesus. Thank you, Robyn, for sharing your insights.

[J.L. Neyhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Dr. Robyn Henderson-Espinoza talks about activist theology they are clearly drawing from the core of liberation theology - where one's theology is lived out among the marginalized because God is always on the side of the oppressed. Henderson-Espinoza says activist theology is about bridging scholarship and activism. They also emphasize that activist theology is rooted in story, as it is story that changes hearts and minds.

Chapter 1: The Darkness of Holy Saturday: Rupturing Complacency and Becoming Transformation
Chapter 2: Turning Tables in the Temple: Disruption
Chapter 3: The Struggle is Real
Chapter 4: The Psalmist Sings: The Poetry of Protest
Chapter 5: Following the Ways of Jesus: Enacting Radical Social Change
Chapter 6: Old Wine in New Wineskins: Reframing Theology as Activism
Chapter 7: Economic Supremacy: When Class Ascendency Doesn't Work in Your Favor
Chapter 8: Activist Theology's Resilience: A Year after Charlottesville

You can hear more about this on their podcast: Activist Theology Podcast.

[Luke Hillier · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to reading Henderson-Espinoza's work, and unfortunately found myself pretty underwhelmed. This is partly my fault, as I had preconceived assumptions going in that this would be a more grounded and enfleshed reflection that shared about the writer's activism experiences through a theological lens (e.g. the intersection or spiritual practices and activism, a reading of Jesus as an activist, exploring the theological implications of current justice movements). While this happens slightly around their participation in the Charlottesville counter-protest, it is more so the opposite of those expectations, instead offering a more theoretical framework that seems to argue that theology in and of itself is activism work. Henderson-Espinoza talks at length about the importance of our politics being enacted and our ethics lived out, so I don't think they'd suggest that "on the ground" work is not important, but the content here feels more like a thesis statement encouraging that work more than a deeper exploration of what it actually looks like and involves theologically or practically.

I felt some confusion and frustration towards the incohesiveness and editing of the book. In some ways, it reads as a series of collected essays rather than an integrated book. This is evident mostly in the genuinely baffling repetition of certain statements and ideas, including the author's racial and ethnic heritage, the ideas that we need to live our politics and imagine new worlds, and a number of phrases that they've coined (e.g. "tyranny of the now," "midwifing shalom," "bridging radical difference"...all of which ironically don't receive a thorough definition which I think would've been really useful). It's not that the inclusion of these details is unimportant, but I didn't understand why they needed to be re-stated, often with the exact same wording, multiple times throughout the book and even within the same chapter. It led to a feeling by the book's end that it didn't necessarily deepen, but stayed at the opening threshold of ideas and allowed each chapter to (re)establish the same foundation rather than building on top of what preceded it.

I recognize my review is critical thus far, and I was disappointed, but that doesn't discredit the truly engaging, meaningful, and often beautiful theological writing that is found here. While those with a low threshold for jargon may not appreciate it quite as much, I was able to find some significant satisfaction in some portions of the book, and found the 5th and 6th chapters ("Following the Ways of Jesus" and "Old Wine in New Wineskins") both to be worth the price of the book. I believe these contain, or most vibrantly present, the core of Henderson-Espinoza's theology, which is 1. that it must be enacted in ways that center the margins of the margins in pursuit of flourishing for all 2. that it allows for community in which people can be human together with others who hold radical difference and transcends partisanship in allegiance with justice and 3. that it demands an awareness of the ways social location shapes theological imagination and reorients theology around the "so what" of immanent social good. And like, that's all really great stuff! I'm just left with a frustration that more time wasn't spent unpacking or building upon those ideas, either in connection to biblical exegesis, broader theological reflection, or concrete stories that held more obvious relevance to activism work.

[Mallory Everhart · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is not the answer.

The author says so in the opening pages. It intimates, hints and gestures toward, which seems to be at odds with its desire for the enfleshed and embodied. If you're looking for concrete ideas about how to embody the radical politics Jesus calls Christians to, this isn't the book. It's a book of dreams and imagination which is at times frustratingly elusive. But if you're looking for a fellow traveler who articulates the spark of divine longing that keeps you believing and hoping for a better world, this book is your sign that you're not alone. How you embody your activist theology, however, is up to you.

Be aware, there is a good deal of leftish theological jargon - "midwifing shalom" gets used a lot. But hey, I'm self aware enough to own that "midwifing shalom" is exactly my shit. Basically, if you have an MDiv from a progressive theology school and believe, against all evidence to the contrary, that Christianity still has a prophetic witness in this mess we're in, this book will most likely make you cry.

[Joe T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book we need for times like these. Theology and ethics shouldn’t be a theoretical exercise but should be Informed by what is happening and enacted in our world. This book helps us to reorient our traditions I to traditions that increase more love and justice in our world. Read this book even if you aren’t a religious professional because it is going to take all of us who believe that this world can be transformed.

[Brian Hutzell · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is some valuable material in this book, but Henderson-Espinoza spends too much time reminding us of their background and qualifications. It goes beyond repetitive and becomes annoying by the book's midway point.
The poetry at the end, by Ree Belle, may make good lyrics for rap songs, but doesn't read well as poetry on the page.

[Eric Clapp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! It’s concise and every sentence lacks a life’s worth of faith and meaning into anyone who reads it.

My theology is more active because of this book. My activism is more theological because of this book. Read it. Then read it again. It’s that good!

[Jose-Luis La Torre-Cuadros]

I expected a more substantial theological discussion and also a more concrete landing into praxis. The book is more an autobiographical repetition of the author’s identity in every chapter that is unnecessary. Not yet a theology only a personal manifesto.

[Andy V123 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not a big fan of memoirs - but this one was really good. Likewise, I disagree with some of their theological positions but I think it’s good to hear and read others that challenge assumptions and biases.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important book at a time when we need to be able to integrate our academic work and our activism.

[Katey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Activist Theology models a way of living in the world that connects both theory and theology with personal experience and calls eco action. Henderson-Espinoza draws from examples in their own life of struggling against the institutions that preserve and perpetuate systems of oppression and detract from the theological truth that we are are interconnected—and cause us to “other” each other. Henderson-Espinoza proposes the simple but radical idea that we must learn first to be human with one another in community and in relationship, and in so doing, we are healed and made whole.

Like other reads, I was especially moved by the poetry of Ree Belle included at the end of the book as a coda. Beautiful and breathtaking.

I highly recommend this book.

[Denise Sudbeck · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe 3,5. Was hoping for more substance and less jargon.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. This book sounded right up my alley, as I've always been interested in how we live out faith in everyday life (the theme of my former blog and my current podcast). However, despite all of Henderson-Espinoza's talk of living out their theology "on the streets" and "enfleshing" theology, this was a dense, academic read. The author has a number of favorite phrases that they use over and over and over again without always explaining what they mean by the words, so it ends up just feeling like they're saying the same thing again and again in a slightly different way. They do include a few personal stories, but those stories are mostly disconnected from the points they're making in the rest of the chapter. Henderson-Espinoza's ideas sound good, as far as living out theology and deconstructing empire and loving across radical difference, but they provide almost no examples of what that actually means in practice. The last few chapters were much more readable than the rest of the book, where they included more personal stories and shared some ideas that were different than what the first three-quarters of the book said over and over, and I wish more of the book had been like that. The poetry at the end (not by the author) was great; I'd read more of that poet's work. Although I pulled out a handful of quotations from this book, I spent most of it trying to figure out if I just wasn't smart enough for it (maybe it's intended for other theology PhDs?) or if Henderson-Espinoza was really filling an entire book by saying the same things over and over again in nearly identical language. I think the author would probably be an interesting person to talk to! But I can't recommend their book.