Society for the Study of Black Religion explained
The Society for the Study of Black Religion is the oldest scholarly society dedicated to the study of the African-American religious experience. It is dedicated to "scholarly research and discussion about the religious experiences of Blacks."[1]
History
The SSBR was founded in 1970 to support black religious scholars' critical inquiry into the foundations of black theology.[2] The intellectual ferment which led to the group's founding began with Joseph B. Washington's publication of the seminal Black Religion in 1964,[3] and continued with the publication of James H. Cone's Black Theology and Black Power in 1969.[4]
The group chose the name "religion" rather than "theology" to avoid the constraints imposed by the narrower term.[5] Charles Shelby Rooks, who would later become the first African-American head of a traditionally white-led seminary at the Chicago Theological Seminary, took a leading role in the founding and served as the SSBR's first elected president.[6]
Presidents
- Charles Shelby Rooks, 1970–1974
- Lawrence Neale Jones, 1974–1977[7]
- Gayraud Wilmore, 1978–1980
- Charles Shelby Rooks, 1980–1983[8]
- Gayraud Wilmore, 1984–1985[8]
- Charles H. Long, 1986–1989[8]
- Clarence G. Newsome, 1990–1991[8]
- Lillian Ashcraft-Eason, 1996–1999[8]
- Peter J. Paris, 2000–2003[8]
- Katie G. Cannon, 2004–2008[8]
- Lee H. Butler, Jr., 2008–2012[8]
- Emilie Townes, 2012–2016[9]
- Stephen G. Ray, Jr., 2016–present[10]
Notable members
See also
External links
Notes and References
- Web site: SSBR. Society for the Study of Black Religion. 2016-03-06.
- Book: Paris, Peter J.. Overcoming Alienation in Theological Education. Shifting Boundaries. 183. Barbara G. Wheeler & Edward Farley. 9780664251727. 1991.
- Book: Rooks, Charles Shelby . Revolution in Zion: Reshaping African American Ministry, 1960-1974 : a Biography in the First Person . Pilgrim Press. 1990. 134.
- Book: Long, Charles H. . African American Religious Thought: An Anthology . 223 . Assessment and New Departures for a Study of Black Religion . Cornel West . Eddie S. Glaude . 2003 .
- Book: Paris, Peter J.. The Oxford Handbook of African American Theology. 438. The African in African American Theology. 9780199755653. 2014.
- Book: Young, Henry J. . Major Black Religious Leaders Since 1940. 2 . 107. 1979.
- Book: Encyclopedia of African American Religions. 409.
- Web site: Society for the Study of Black Religion: 42nd Annual Meeting.
- Web site: Bio: Emilie M. Townes . Vanderbilt University. 2016-03-05.
- Web site: Dr. Stephen G. Ray, Jr. Named President-Elect of the Society for the Study of Black Religion. Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary.
