White Theology

White Theology re-examines white race privilege throughout history and its relationship to black theology. James W. Perkinson articulates a white theology of responsibility responding to the claims of James Cone (and other black scholars) that serious engagement with history and culture must be at the heart of any American projection of integrity or "salvation" in the modern period. Perkinson interweaves autobiography and postcolonial analysis, history, and phenomenology to explore white supremacy and the future of religious studies. This is an essential and groundbreaking book for courses in religious studies, African American studies, and theology.

"Perkinson does what no white theologian has done, namely offer a full-length treatment of white racism that is politically informed and theologically constructive." - Mark Taylor, Professor of Theology and Culture, Princeton Theological Seminary

"In this fascinating and inspiring book, Perkinson accomplishes two things that seem virtually impossible. First, he makes visible the invisible. While Black reality in the United States has been subject to countless analyses, White reality appears to be impossible to grasp. The book reads the latter in light of the former and covers new ground. Second, Perkinson rethinks the basis of transformation. Key are not intention and moral appeal, as is commonly assumed, but the alternative energies and powers that arise in the midst of repression. Rather than painting a bleak picture of life under pressure, the book finds passion and vitality in unexpected places. The result is a profound reshaping of White reality and theology that has the potential to set the stage for things to come." - Joerg Rieger, Professor of Systematic Theology, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University

"This book rocks. Jim Perkinson's roots and routes have kept him close to the lived realities, the street syncopations, of the racial divide. His extraordinarily readable theo-poetics shoots pleasure through a painful practice of socio-spiritual anti-supremacism. As a response to generations of African American thought, and particularly libeation and womanist theology, this is a passionate, persuasive and percussive (self)-exploration of whiteness in America." - Catherine Keller, author of Face of the Deep: a theology of becoming. Prof of Constructive Theology, Drew University,The Theological School

James Perkinson, Professor of Ethics and Systematic Theology, Ecumenical Theological Seminary, USA.