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The Need for “A Fighting God”

Biko, Black Theology and the Essence of Revolutionary Authenticity

Bibliographic Data

ID20209607
AuthorsAllan Aubrey Boesak (0000-0002-5925-7447, University of Pretoria, corresponding author)
Year2020
Volume18
Issue3
Pages201-222
Publication date2020-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueBlack Theology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1476-9948 • E-ISSN: 1743-1670
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/14769948.2020.1828790
OpenAlexW3113181857
LanguageEN
Citations received7
References cited13

There is an upsurge of renewed interest in South Africa in Black Consciousness, Black theology and consequently in the work of Steven Bantu Biko who remains a central figure for a movement that now seems to inspire a new generation, especially pertaining to the raging debates on Africanity, decolonisation, and Africanisation. This author believes that this resurgence presents an historic moment that calls for a serious re-examination of Biko’s thought. Even though Biko’s reflections on Black theology per se were sparse, they are extremely important in my view, and open up new avenues for Black theological reflection and praxis as regards the fundamental questions of integrity and authenticity in global struggles for freedom, equity and dignity. It is my view that in these struggles Black liberation theology is not only relevant but necessary. This article discusses the contexts within which modern South African Black theology came into being, explores Biko’s definitions of Black theology, and the ways in which Biko’s understanding of Black theology searching for “a fighting God” and Black theology as “not a theology of absolutes” opens up the possibilities for enriching the meaning and relevance of Black theology today

Black theology · Dignity · Epistemology · Liberation theology · Political science · Praxis · Sociology · Theology · African cultural and philosophical studies · Christian Theology and Mission · Law · Philosophy · Religious studies · Theological Perspectives and Practices

  • “God Is Not in the Habit”

    Obakeng G Africa•Religion and Theology•2024

  • Mutual Learning between Researcher and Studied Communities as a Method in Liberationist Fieldwork in South Africa

    Clementine Nishimwe•Journal of Empirical Theology•2025

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    Anthony G Reddie•Living Black Theology•2025

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  • Engagement with Mission Magazine Archives

    Carol Troupe•Black Theology•2021

  • Theological Trajectories of Liberation- A Comparative Analysis of Liberation Theology and Integral Mission in Latin America and their Resonance in South Africa

    Open Access•Godfrey Harold•Pharos Journal of Theology•2026

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Unique citing works7
Citations per year1,4
Citation span2021 - 2026 (6)
Citation velocitycurrent
Highly citedNo
Citation typesNeutral: 5

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