Partial Iconoclasm: John Witherspoon's Presbyterian (Political) Theology and Slavery

The Reformed and Presbyterian traditions, characterized by their iconoclasm and anti-idolatry, stress the importance of rejecting false gods and idolatry, with a political theology that allows for critique of unjust authorities. Yet, there's a dichotomy in how leaders like Witherspoon applied t...

Description complète

Enregistré dans:  
Détails bibliographiques
Auteur principal: Mikoski, Gordon S. (Auteur)
Type de support: Électronique Article
Langue:Anglais
Vérifier la disponibilité: HBZ Gateway
Journals Online & Print:
En cours de chargement...
Fernleihe:Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste
Publié: Sage Publ. 2024
Dans: Theology today
Année: 2024, Volume: 80, Numéro: 4, Pages: 406-413
Classifications IxTheo:CG Christianisme et politique
KAH Époque moderne
KBQ Amérique du Nord
KDD Église protestante
NCD Éthique et politique
Sujets non-standardisés:B Slavery
B Presbyterian
B Princeton
B gradualism
B theological imagination
B John Witherspoon
B Abolition
Accès en ligne: Volltext (kostenfrei)
Description
Résumé:The Reformed and Presbyterian traditions, characterized by their iconoclasm and anti-idolatry, stress the importance of rejecting false gods and idolatry, with a political theology that allows for critique of unjust authorities. Yet, there's a dichotomy in how leaders like Witherspoon applied these principles, as they criticized oppressive systems while simultaneously benefiting from the oppression of enslaved Black individuals. With respect to ending slavery, Witherspoon and other Presbyterian leaders in Princeton during the Revolutionary period adopted a strategy of gradualism, aiming for incremental changes towards the end of slavery. However, their approach often seemed inconsistent, advocating for immediate disruptive change against British rule but taking a more moderate stance on slavery and race. An in-depth theological and historical analysis of figures like Witherspoon provides insights into their complex legacies and the broader Reformed tradition's stance on slavery, race, and political upheaval.
ISSN:2044-2556
Contient:Enthalten in: Theology today
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1177/00405736231207569