The Public Theology of the Black Pastor

The Public Theology of the Black Pastor

Patheos PT 5015

The power of the black pastor! Even if the black pastor says nothing, we see public theology at work. This is revealed in what a defense  attorney says. “We don’t want any more black pastors coming in here.” What?! Really!? “If we’re going to start a precedent, starting yesterday, where we’re going to bring high-profile members of the African American community into the courtroom to sit with the family during the trial in the presence of the jury, I believe that’s intimidating and it’s an attempt to pressure — could be consciously or unconsciously — an attempt to pressure or influence the jury,” attorney Kevin Gough said November 11, 2021 in court prosecuting three white men for the murder of Ahmaud Arbery in Brunswick, Georgia. This attorney is scared ****less. (Photo: Rev. Al Sharpton)

The black pastor need not say anything. Yet, the message is clear: we want justice.

The black pastor need not say anything. Yet, the message is clear: we want compassion.

The black pastor need not say anything. Yet, the message is clear: we want dignity.

The black pastor need not say anything. Yet, the message is clear: God is present.

Might this silent presence intimidate someone who says, “we don’t want any more black pastors”?

I have advocated that the public theologian engage in discourse clarification. What is amazing, is that the black pastor engages in a powerful witness by sheer presence. The public theology of the black pastor, at least on some occasions, is most forcefully expressed in silent presence.

First Epilogue. “I’m done talking about it Mr. Gough,” the judge said. “I’m telling you that the court’s position has remained the court’s position – unless anyone in the gallery is disruptive or here to cause some demonstration that would distract from the presentation of evidence in this case, this court is not going to single out any particular individual or group of individuals as not being allowed to be in this courtroom as a member of the public.”

Second Epilogue. On November 24, 2021 Travis McMichael, Greg McMichael, and William Roddie Bryan were found guilty of murdering Ahmaud Arbery.

When Jessie Jackson [see photo] sat in the courtroom with Ahmaud Arbery’s family, he cried. Is crying distracting? Intimidating? Or, is it a spontaneous form of public theology?

If you’d like more resources on Public Theology, click here.

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Ted Peters is a Lutheran pastor and seminary professor. His fields of teaching and writing include public systematic theology as well as the dialogue between faith and science. See: TedsTimelyTake.com.

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