Racializing Jesus

by Shawn Kelley

Shawn Kelley's groundbreaking study shows how the major intellectual movements of the modern world, such as Orientalism and romantic nationalism, become infused with the category of race. He then traces the processes through which racially-grounded thinking has influenced modern biblical scholarship.
Dynamic and thought-provoking, the book incorporates a wide range of current debate, from critical race theory to the relationship between Martin Heidegger and National Socialism. It will give every student and scholar of biblical studies awareness of the subtle ways in which racial thinking has permeated their discipline, and encourage them to create new modes of biblical analysis.

Genres: History, Theology, Nonfiction, New Testament, Religion, Christianity

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Danielle Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A strong study arguing that racism is inherent in much of the field of biblical criticism, despite the best efforts of contemporary scholars. Kelley's argument is based on the history of biblical criticism, which developed in the 19th and 20th centuries along with Western philosophical thought espousing the concept of "race." Heidigger, Hegel, Bultmann and others produce philosophy and rhetoric imbued with racist ideologies, and those are carried forward into modern academic scholarship via the disciplines of contemporary philosophy, religious studies, anthropology, sociology, etc.

There's a lot of good stuff in this book for scholars from a variety of different fields. I especially valued Kelley's intro on the history of racism and modernity, which might be a great section to assign to students in intro courses.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fantastic introduction worth reading for a wide audience. The reflections and analysis of Hegel, Heidegger and Baultmann are also interesting. The later half of the books is further specialized and does not have such broad appeal. Worth reading in part.