Engaging this module
You are invited to explore this module by reading the content, watching the presentations and videos and responding to the suggested exercises and activities. You are encouraged to have a Bible and journaling materials nearby to take notes. The module is divided into 3 lessons, each of which can be accessed by clicking the buttons below the introduction.
Womanist Theology
Purpose of the Study
To explore Womanist Theology as a lens for understanding Scripture, life, and community, connecting biblical narratives to real-world struggles and triumphs.
Definition
Womanist Theology connects ancient biblical stories to modern contexts, emphasizing liberation from oppressive systems of gender, class, and race. It centers the voices of Black women, affirming their divine experiences and prioritizing the survival and wholeness of all people.
Session I. Womanist Theology – Introduction and Historical Context
Historical Context
Alice Walker and Womanism
- Who is Alice Walker?
- A novelist and activist best known for The Color Purple and In Search of Our Mothers’ Gardens.
- Womanism Defined
- Walker’s definition includes:
- Acting grown, audacious, and courageous.
- Loving women’s culture while embracing the wholeness of humanity.
- Committing to survival and wholeness for all people
- Walker’s definition includes:
Key Questions
What is Womanist Theology?
How does it intersect with God’s story and our lives?
Why does it matter to the Church and the world?
But Wait! There’s More!
Core Concept: Womanist Theology is a theological practice that reflects on the lives and divine experiences of Black women to challenge and dismantle oppressive systems.
Origins: Womanist Theology was pioneered by Black women theologians who sought to place their lived experiences at the center of their religious reflection.
Key Thought Leaders:
Dr. Katie Geneva Cannon: The first to apply the term womanist to theology.
Dr. Delores S. Williams: Pioneered womanist biblical interpretation.
Session II. Womanist Theology – Biblical Authority through a Womanist Lens
Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this session is to explore how Womanist Theology engages with Scripture as a tool for liberation, empowering individuals and communities to confront and dismantle oppressive systems. It highlights the unique perspectives and experiences that African American women bring to biblical interpretation, emphasizing their humanity, agency, and the relevance of Scripture in addressing real-world struggles and triumphs.
Scripture as Empowerment
- Katie Geneva Cannon: The prophetic tradition within the Bible serves as a foundation for Black women to affirm their humanity and challenge systems of oppression. Scripture becomes a source of strength and a guide for action.
- Nyasha Junior: African American women’s biblical interpretations assert their agency and legitimacy, offering a transformative perspective that reflects their lived experiences.
Connecting the Biblical to the Contemporary
- Womanist Theology bridges the gap between ancient texts and modern contexts, revealing how Scripture can inspire resilience, justice, and hope in the face of societal challenges.
- Explore these foundational discussions:
Journey to Liberation
Reflects on the historical roots and enduring impact of Womanist Theology.
Takeaway: The prophetic voice of Womanist Theology calls for liberation and wholeness.
What Manner of Woman
Highlights the lived experiences of Black women at the intersection of faith, scholarship, and activism.
Takeaway: Womanist Theology celebrates the courage and audacity of Black women in their spiritual and social journeys.
Inside Admissions: Womanist Theology
Offers insight into how Womanist Theology is taught and lived within theological education.
Takeaway: Womanist Theology equips individuals to critically engage Scripture and apply its truths to dismantle systemic injustice.
Key Questions
How have you used Scripture to challenge oppression in your own life or community?
In what ways can the prophetic tradition inspire you to act courageously in today’s world?
What common themes did you notice across the videos?
How does each video reinforce the idea of Scripture as a tool for liberation?
What inspired you the most, and how can you apply that insight in your faith journey?
But Wait! There’s More!
Key Waves and Movements of Womanist Theology
- First Wave: Founders like Dr. Katie Geneva Cannon and Dr. Delores S. Williams.
- Second Wave: Leaders like Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas explored deeper theological and Christological reflections.
- Third Wave: Scholars like Dr. Monica Coleman incorporated Afrofuturism and technology.
- Fourth Wave: Emphasizes rest, joy, and play as forms of activism.
Session III. Womanist Theology – Womanist Worship
Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this session is to explore Womanist Worship as a vibrant and transformative practice that integrates the tenets of Womanist Theology—redemptive self-love, critical engagement, and the pursuit of justice—into communal worship experiences. This session highlights how music, dance, drama, and preaching are used to create a worship space that nurtures the beloved community, celebrates cultural expression, and addresses social justice issues.
Womanist Worship
From music, to dance, to drama, and preaching; to utilizing womanist tenets of redemptive self-love and critical engagement; to beloved community addressing social justice issues through womanist preaching and action…click the links below and enter the world of womanist worship.
Gateway to Womanist Worship: Morning Glory featuring Rev. Dr. Renita Weems
Pink Robe Chronicles – Rev. Dr. Melva Sampson
The Gathering, A Womanist Church – Co-Pastors: Rev. Dr. Irie Lynn Session, Rev. Dr. Kamilah Hall Sharp.
Key Questions
What is Womanist Worship?
How does it differ from traditional worship forms you have experienced?
Why is centering social justice issues in worship important for faith communities?
What themes resonate with you in the videos?
How can your church or prayer group incorporate elements of Womanist Worship to reflect values of inclusivity, justice, and redemptive self-love?
But Wait! There’s More!
Impact of Womanist Worship
• Spiritual Empowerment: Creates a worship space where Black women feel seen, heard, and valued.
• Liberative Action: Inspires congregations to confront societal injustices with faith as their guide.
• Healing and Wholeness: Promotes both individual and collective healing, bridging spirituality with emotional and physical well-being.
Session IV: Womanist Theology—Scriptural Engagement
Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this session is to challenge participants to move from understanding Womanist Theology to actively applying its principles in their lives and communities. By engaging Scripture, journaling, and group discussions through a Womanist lens, participants are invited to reflect on how audacity, self-care, and inclusivity can shape their faith practices and actions.
Scriptural Contemplation
Mark 7:24-30 and Matthew 15:21-28
• First Reading: Read aloud or individually. Focus on initial impressions.
• Second Reading: Engage with the text again through a Womanist lens.
Key Questions
First Reading – Initial Impressions:
How do you hear the voice of the Syrophoenician woman?
What do you think of her behavior?
Do you see her as a threat? How? Why?
Should she have acted differently? How? Why?
Second Reading – Through a Womanist Lens:
What is happening, and to whom?
How is it happening, and why?
How does this passage challenge us to respond?
What ethical demands does this situation announce, particularly in addressing systems of oppression?
But Wait! There’s More!
This session emphasizes the practical implications of Womanist Theology, asking participants to:
• Reimagine familiar biblical texts in ways that confront systems of oppression.
• Reflect on their own behaviors and experiences of courage, community, and self-definition.
• Develop a deeper understanding of how faith calls for both personal and communal transformation.
Group Activity: Living Womanist Theology
Step 1: Small Group Brainstorm
• How can your church or prayer group embody the values of Womanist Theology (audacity, self-care, inclusivity, and justice)?
• List actionable steps for worship, service, and community engagement.
Womanist Theology – Closing
It is with hope, as you have engaged Womanist Theology, that you have learned what this practice of theology is, how it came to be, and its importance in the life of the Church and the world. Even more so, that you have come to understand womanist theology as a communal way of being in the world; inviting you to continue the practice of Scriptural Contemplation through a womanist lens and, reflecting on the Womanist Journal Prompts – individually and in community with others. And remember, womanism is to feminism as purple is to lavender.
This module was written by Dana Moulds and edited by Rev. Chineta Goodjoin.
Dana Moulds is a native of Los Angeles, CA and currently lives in Charlotte, NC. She is a recent dual-degree graduate of Union Presbyterian Seminary – Charlotte campus – where she served on the advisory councils of The Katie Geneva Cannon Center for Womanist Leadership and The Center for Social Justice & Reconciliation. Dana pursued her Master of Divinity and Master of Christian Education degrees with a concentrated focus in Womanist Studies and Social Justice. She has been awarded grants, fellowships and awards for her academic achievements and is regular featured writer for the national publication, The Presbyterian Outlook. Read more about Dana here.