Leading scholars wrestle with the complexities of race, whiteness, and the gospel.
Jeanelle Austin, founder of the Racial Agency Initiative, speaks about racial justice and faithfulness as she shares her experience of community organizing and protesting in Minneapolis following the death of George Floyd.
Fuller’s William E. Pannell Center for African American Church Studies held its 2020 Summer Seminar Series on “Theology and Protest.” African American leaders in the church, the community, and academia, in conversation with Dwight Radcliff, academic dean for the Pannell Center, discussed their work of activism and advocacy toward justice, as well as the theologies that drive protest.
Phil Armstrong, project manager of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission, speaks about the Tulsa Massacre—its historical context, the trauma and silencing that followed, and the current work of commemoration and education being done surrounding it.
The 2014 Fuller Forum featured keynote speaker N. T. Wright, who presented on how the writings and theology of Paul might shape the church in the 21st century.
At the 2014 Fuller Forum, N. T. Wright, Hak Joon Lee, Love Sechrest, and Juan Martínez discussed practical sociocultural implications of justification in this panel moderated by Mark Labberton. The panel followed N. T. Wright’s third lecture, “Who Are the People of God?”
Brenda Salter McNeil, speaker, author, and professor, talks about the long work of reconciliation, the need to speak truth, and the ongoing process of repentance, forgiveness, and justice guided by God’s Spirit.
Various scholars lead breakout sessions during the 2015 Fuller Forum.
In their lectures delivered at the 2015 Fuller Forum, Walter Brueggemann, renowned author and Old Testament scholar, presented the law of Yahweh not as static and totalizing but as an ongoing conversation between God and God’s people; Cameron Lee, professor of marriage and family studies, explained how neighborliness has developmental roots in early family relationships, and how this has implications for the ministry and life of the church; and Michael McBride, pastor of The Way… Read more »
Michael McBride, pastor of The Way Christian Center, talks about the role the church has to advocate for and participate in movements of racial justice, particularly by redeeming broken systems.
The 2015 Fuller Forum explored the themes of justice, grace, and law and how each shapes our understanding of the church’s relationship with God and the church’s ministry in the world. Joined by Fuller scholars and other guests, renowned Old Testament scholar Walter Brueggemann, featured as the conference’s keynote speaker.
Cedric Williams (PhD ’19), founder and CEO of Legacy Consulting & Research Group, talks about his layered experiences of the military, ministry, and psychology, and about his current work of walking alongside others in the process of meaning-making.
Andre Henry (MAT ’16), writer, singer-songwriter, and activist, shares his personal journey of learning about systemic racism and explains the active and prophetic work he’s taken up against it.
Dwight Radcliff, assistant provost for the William E. Pannell Center for African American Church Studies, speaks about the systems of oppression and generational trauma that plague Black communities and challenges the church to own a theology that responds rightly to suffering rather than dismissing it.
Daniel D. Lee, assistant provost for the Center for Asian American Theology and Ministry, speaks about the history of racism against Asian Americans and the racism Asian American communities are currently experiencing during this ongoing pandemic.
On January 22–24, 2020, the William E. Pannell Center for African American Church Studies held its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration.
Damali Najuma Smith-Pollard, senior pastor of Word of Encouragement Community Church, preaches about how God’s promises in scripture bring us comfort, preserve our lives, and lift us up.
Kenichi Yoshida, pastor and associate director of academic affairs, preaches about the power of theology that comes from the margins—focusing particularly on the voices of women of color.
Jemar Tisby, author of The Color of Compromise: The Truth About the American Church’s Complicity in Racism, discusses the history of racial inequality in the United States and in the American church.
