The Queen’s Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Education has established a long and impressive tradition in Black Theology dating back some 20 years as the premier institution that has helped foster its growth in Britain.

Black Theology has flourished at Queen's

From the pioneering work of The Revd John Wilkinson in developing the Black Christian studies course in the 1980s through Robert Beckford’s appointment as the first tutor in Black Theology in Britain in the early 90s, through to the present day, Black Theology has flourished at Queen’s. (See Equinox Publishing for more details on the development of Black Theology in Britain). Mukti Barton succeeded Robert Beckford as the Tutor in Black and Asian Theology and remains the only such tutor in theological education in Britain. 

A Place of Excellence for Black Theology

In more recent times, under the leadership of Anthony Reddie, a research fellow in Black Theology, the development of Black Theology at Queen’s has been consolidated.

Dr Reddie edits Black Theology: An International Journal, the only academic periodical of its kind in the world. In addition to his own publications, he also chairs the monthly Black Theology Forum and the annual, national Black Theology Conference, which is held at Queen’s on the third weekend in July.

Carol Troupe, a research associate assists in the development of Black Theology through the oversight of the website Living Out Faith. This site provides learning materials and other resources that seek to empower ordinary people of faith as they learn from and engage with the critical insights provided by Black Theology. Ms Troupe also chairs the monthly Black Theology Research seminar, which precedes the Black Theology. She is also the co-reviews editor of Black Theology: An International Journal. 

Bible and Liberation Studies from Black and Asian perspectives has also been pioneered at Queens by Dr Mukti Barton who publishes widely in this field, as well as in the subject of tackling racism in the church context. In addition, Black Biblical Hermeneutics is now being developed by Lynnette Mullings.

The Black Theology Forum

The Black Theology Forum has been in existence since 1993/4. It was the initial brain child of The Revd Dr Emmanuel Lartey, The Revd Dr George Mulrain and The Revd Dr Inderjit Bhogal, all three of whom are Methodist Ministers whose formative experiences were spent in the wider expanses of the British Empire. The Black Theology Forum (BTF) has had several homes. Its first meetings were in Kingsmead College (a Methodist Mission training college in Selly Oak). Later meetings took place at the Centre for Black and White Christian Partnership, which in turn was followed by another move to Elmfield House, at the University of Birmingham. The BTF moved to its current home at the Queen’s Foundation in 2004. In all that time, the BTF has been arguably the most important site for the verbal articulation of Black theology in Britain.

In order to create a ‘safe space’ in which people can debate, share ideas, critique and affirm one another, the BTF has always insisted that only people who can self identify as Black in political terms are allowed to attend.

The BTF meets on the last Thursday of every month, save for July (in which our annual conference takes place), August and December. Meetings commence at 7.30pm. Proposals to present papers to the Forum are welcomed. Please contact Anthony Reddie to discuss your interest. His contact details are:

Anthony G. Reddie – tel. 0121 452 2660 or e-mail a.g.reddie@queens.ac.uk

The Black Theology Research Seminar

The Black Theology Research Seminar (BTRS) first met in the spring of 2006. It was initiated by Dr Anthony Reddie, but it is presently chaired by Carol Troupe. The aim of this meeting is to develop  knowledge of and encourage discussion around issues in Black Theology. Though most who presently attend are undertaking (postgraduate) studies in theology and religion, the meeting is by no means restricted to those who are persuing formal academic study. 

In this meeting, discussion develops out of critical engagement with a piece of published material  (usually an article from Black Theology: An International Journal). This is both an opportunity to explore and critique the work of other scholars, but also to develop ones own interest in and contribution to the discipline of Black Theology, whether as a scholar or a practitioner (or both).   It is also a space to share, affirm and encourage one another in our mutual development as writers and reflectors on the religious identity, spirituality and God talk of Black people in Britain and further afield. Like the forum, the BTRS reserves its space for the development of people who can self identify as Black in political terms. Please contact Dr Anthony Reddie if you want to know more about the BTRS. The group meets from 6pm onward, prior to the BTF at 7.30pm.