Revisiting Rev. Wright

The ecumenical newsletter Vital Theology has taken a stab at an early but serious reexamination of the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. (above), who was Barack Obama's pastor and spiritual mentor until video of some of Wright's more incendiary preaching surfaced and caused controversy for Obama's campaign. Vital Theology asked a number of theologians to weigh in the question, “What is the theology of Wright, and how does his rhetoric advance and/or impede it?” A PDF of the answers is here. The responses are largely sympathetic to Wright, but attempt to explain where he is coming from. As a sample, here's the response from Vincent E. Bacote, an associate professor of theology at Wheaton College.

"Jeremiah’s Wright’s theology is a progressive gospel which has a tight focus on the context of the African-American community. While not excluding others, it emphasizes the flourishing of African Americans in a context that has been hostile for most of U.S. history. In light of Wright’s background theologically and the church’s identity denominationally, this should surprise no one. The rhetoric in the video clips reflects, on the one hand, prophetic preaching that is also found in more conservative circles where America is given a warning because of certain sins (like abortion). On the other hand, whether hyperbolic or not, some of the words may mask rather than reveal Wright’s theology, because some hearers may attend more to controversy than God’s liberating activity."