Black Christology and the Quest for Authenticity

John H. McClendon III is professor in the Department of Philosophy at Michigan State University.

• Chapter 1 The African American Quest for the Historical Jesus and the Problem of Black Christology: Who was Jesus and What is his Relationship to Christianity?Chapter 2 Black Theology and Christianity: The Philosophical Problem of DefinitionChapter 3 The Critique of Black Theology: Richard I. McKinney and the Fundamental Elements of Christianity Chapter 4 Black Messiah as the Authentic Christ: Alternative Biblical Myth or Real History? Chapter 5 Whiteness and Christology: Why does the Racial Identity of Jesus Theologically Matter? Chapter 6 The Color of God and Jesus’ Divinity: A Philosophical Assessment

Building on the groundbreaking work of William R. Jones, John McClendon has turned his considerable talents to the philosophy of religion, Black Power and Black Christology. Through the lens of dialectical materialism, McClendon presents a delightful, shrewd and very perceptive look at the problems and issues surrounding the philosophy of Black religion. This seminal book combines scholarly breadth, judicious examination and philosophical acumen to provide the most in-depth treatment of James Cone, Howard Thurman, Leon E. Wright, Richard McKinney, Albert Cleage, Major Jones and so many others. For the reader who wants to develop a more complex understanding of Black theology, McClendon provides a much needed roadmap through the dense pathways of Black religion and Black Christology. Whether you are an atheist, free thinker or have religious commitments, this book is worth a read. Beyond a doubt, this book will challenge, and immensely repay, the careful attention of the reader. Through meticulous annotation, McClendon provides the reader with a mountain of sources on Biblical scholarship, philosophy of religion and Black theology. And, lastly, with great philosophical skill he brings out the significance of key debates in the world of Black Theology, particularly as it relates to race, racism and historical criticism. Black Christology and the Quest for Authenticity establishes McClendon as the premier Black intellectual of our times!