Rethinking Theological Narratives

By Camille

In the continuation of this idea of reimagining doctrine, I will dive more into scripture that regards Jesus’s/God’s existence, and the revelation of God. Within universalism, the idea is that the concepts of the bible are applicable to anyone regardless of race, genre, class, sexuality, ethnicity, or background in general. This would also mean that the condemnations to hell would not be valid arguments as every soul that occupies the corners of the Earth can receive salvation and do not have to sacrifice a part of their identity that has been deemed by traditionalists and conservatives as sinful acts. Seemingly, the notions of universalism seem like living in a utopia, because in a just and equitable society, the values of universalism would naturally be in place as the ruling thought that posits the functioning and governing of society.

God created people in a divine image, each person received the pure thought of love as a foundation for existence before we were granted an Earthly body, so why would this God be one to discriminate against their own creation? God doesn't make distinctions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, etc., God gives our heavenly spirits a physical manifestation so that we can roam the Earth's corners to promote humanity and be world-embracing. God wants us to love our neighbors, not use divine words as a weapon of mass destruction upon people and nations that have yet to be heard by the masses. There are communities completely subjugated due to evil interpretations of scripture, homes destroyed because of white supremacy, and ideologies that have historical roots in U.S. Christianity that are used to benefit those who ascribe to these oppressive systems. Christian Nationalism, rooted in historical injustices and wielded as a tool of dominance, imposes a singular perspective on societal governance, advocating for laws and policies that often marginalize diverse voices and uphold privilege. What if we redirected these energies towards embracing universal love and justice? What if we recognized that God's image in each person calls us to dismantle barriers and champion the dignity and rights of all? Embracing a theology that celebrates diversity and inclusion challenges us to confront our biases and actively pursue a world where every individual is valued and respected, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation. It is through this transformative love that we can truly reflect the divine essence and build a society grounded in compassion and equity. This is where we get Christian Nationalism which states that societies should be governed in ways that reflect the views of  Christianity, meaning politics, civil and criminal laws, and social life, should all be dictated by Christian views. What would happen if we reimagined those things with Islamic views, Universalist Christian views, and Indigenous Spirituality views? Why this Christianity? Why Christian nationalism?

But let me go back to universalism because diving too deep into Christian Nationalism will take some time. But, in regards to the Lord's Existence, I mentioned in another blog about God being understood to be a man, and I wondered where that idea stemmed from. A verse about Jesus becoming the divine messiah, Isaiah 9:6: "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.", made me wonder if the idea of the Lord becoming a Man and referred to as Father stemmed from the correlation of "protector" and "healer" with paternal instincts, which makes sense, but women carry the same identifiers throughout history. Do these identifiers consider the historical legacies of slavery and how marginalized women are the glue that holds together familial bonds due to the natural disposition of a force of caring and nurturing? If the bible can be written from a social context of patriarchal dominance, then what is wrong with writing it from a matriarchal dominance? What about re-writing the bible from the perspective of the enslaved, black parenthood? Even from the perspective of those enslaved due to the Eastern ancient Mediterranian slavery? Like, imagine retelling the stories of Exodus not only through the lens of liberation from Egypt but also through the resilience and faith of enslaved Black families enduring oppression and striving for freedom. Similarly, the story of Hagar, a woman enslaved in the household of Abraham and Sarah. From her perspective, we see the complexities of motherhood and survival, navigating a world where her identity as an African woman intersects with her role as a mother to Ishmael. Her encounter with God at the well becomes not just a moment of divine provision but a testament to the strength and agency of Black motherhood in the face of marginalization and exploitation.

Could it be that the patriarchal dominance and narratives in the bible were a reflection of the dominance over the enslaved? Patriarchical dominance is a reflection of hierarchical structures, therefore, since slavery of people of color was a thing during biblical times the identification of a "protector" or "provider" in the bible would be "slave master". In the theological depictions of God and the language used to describe God, if ascribing the Lord as almighty while acknowledging the social context of slavery existing in biblical times, wouldn't that be acknowledging a complex interplay between theological discourse and societal norms of power and authority rooted in historical realities? The theological depictions of God as almighty and the language used to describe Him as protector and provider reflect the hierarchical structures and patriarchal norms prevalent in biblical times, including the institution of slavery. This raises important ethical questions about how these representations may inadvertently perpetuate or challenge oppressive systems and prompts a deeper reflection on how interpretations of divine attributes evolve in response to changing social contexts and moral insights. Also, if we consider how the divine evolves in response to changing social context and moral insights, then why is it still so hard to consider liberation theology for marginalized communities(i.e., the LGBT+ community) to be valid in all spaces of Christian conversations of thought and worship? 

In re-examining theological narratives through the lens of universalism and inclusive interpretations, we are called to embrace a vision of faith that transcends historical biases and exclusions. By affirming the inherent worth and equality of all individuals, regardless of identity or background, we strive towards a more just and compassionate society. This journey challenges us to listen to marginalized voices, engage in critical dialogue, and advocate for the liberation of all who have been marginalized or oppressed. Ultimately, it is through embracing diversity and evolving theological insights that we can authentically embody the transformative love and justice that lie at the heart of our spiritual traditions.

What is the fear and hesitancy in embracing marginalized voices within the biblical society and in your churches today? What do you lose?