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Voices of the African Diaspora Series 160 pages, 51/2 x 81/2 978-0-86554-925-8 $22.00s, Paper Index, bibliography MUP/P312
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Frederick Douglass A Precursor of Liberation Theology Reginald F. Davis Was Douglass the forerunner of Liberation Theology ? Frederick Douglass: A Precursor of Liberation Theology deals with the evolution of Frederick Douglass’s philosophical and theological development. This book is another paradigm that expands the debate and places Douglass’s thought in a more appropriate context, namely, anticipating liberation theology. Since no consensus exists about Douglass’s philosophical and theological development, Reginald F. Davis attempts to settle a dispute in Douglass studies that revolves around his religious odyssey and, in particular, the character and cause of his philosophical and theological development. The dispute among scholars is concerned with where to locate Douglass on the theological spectrum. Some scholars identify Douglass as having moved away from traditional forms of Christian millennialism, which elevates not the human agent, but an omnipotent God who apocalyptically intervenes in human affairs and history. Still others interpret Douglass as having moved outside the circle of theism to Enlightenment humanism. There is also an unsettled debate about the cause of Douglass’s theological shift. One view attributes Douglass’s shift to a psychological factor of rejection by “White Churchmen” over his support for radical policies such as abolitionism. Another perspective attributes Douglass’s shift to Enlightenment principles of natural law and rationality. Davis utilizes selected categories from liberation theology to provide a more accurate exegesis of Douglass’s study to encourage a new angle of interpretation of Douglass’s philosophical and theological evolution. Reginald F. Davis was born in Memphis, Tennessee. He attended Shelby State Community College in Memphis (A.S.), Incarnate Word College in San Antonio(B.A.), Colgate Rochester Divinity School (M.Div.), and Florida State University (Ph.D.). He has been an adjunct professor at Florida A&M University and Barry University in Tallahassee. He has been a frequent radio guest and lecturer at colleges and churches across the nation. He served as dean of students at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. He currently resides in Williamsburg, Virginia, with his wife and two children. Titles of Related Interest The Narrative Life: The Moral and Religious Thought of Frederick Douglass W.E. DuBois and Race: Essays Celebrating the Centennial Publication of The Souls of Black Folk God and Human Responsibility: David Walker and Ethical Prophecy Rufus Burrow, Jr. Call us toll free at 800-637-2378, ext. 2880 or 800-342-0841, ext. 2880 (in GA) |
