Dissension and Tenacity: Doing Theology with Nerves (Theology in the Age of Empire)

Doing theology requires dissension and tenacity. Dissension is required when scriptural texts, and the colonial bodies and traditions (read: Babylon) that capitalize upon those, inhibit or prohibit “rising to life.” With “nerves” to dissent, the attentions of the first cluster of essays extend to scriptures and theologies, to borders and native peoples. The title for the first cluster — “talking back with nerves, against Babylon” — appeals to the spirit of feminist (to talk back against patriarchy) and RastafarI (to chant down Babylon) critics. The essays in the second cluster — titled “persevering with tenacity, through shitstems” — testify that perseverance is possible, and it requires tenacity. Tenacity is required so that the oppressive systems of Babylon do not have the final word. These two clusters are framed by two chapters that set the tone and push back at the usual business of doing theology, inviting engagement with the wisdom and nerves of artists and poets, and two closing chapters that open up the conversation for further dissension and tenacity. Doing theology with dissension and tenacity is unending. Cover Contents Preface “Take Away the Stone” Call to Rise Talking Back with Nerves, against Babylon “The Lord Needs Them” (Matthew 21:3) Resisting the Economic Shitstem Interrogating the Silence Translating Leviathan, Talking Back to God, Doing Public Theology from Below Sitting and Weeping by the Rivers of Babylon Lamentations as a Healing Response to Necropower at the Texas-Mexico Border ‌‌Tūturu whiti whakamaua, Kia tina, tina! Haumi e, Hui e! Taiki e!‌‌‌‌‌ Persevering with Tenacity, through Shitstems RastafarI and Domestic Labour Queer Arctivism The Bacchus Lady as‌‌‌‌ The Parable of “Promiscuous Care” Glimpses of God’s Dis/Abled Domain Temporarily Abled or Permanently Differently Abled Unending Rising to Life (John 11:38–44) Chant down Christian Shitstems Bibliography Index About the Editor and Contributors "Doing theology requires dissension and tenacity. Dissension is required when scriptural texts, and the colonial bodies and traditions (read: Babylon) that capitalize upon those, inhibit or prohibit "rising to life." The contributors in this book challenge the way Christian theology is currently done in the academy and the Western world"-- Provided by publisher