St. Augustine and Malcolm X as Theological Figures in Relation to a Contemporary Theologia Crucis in Solidarity with the #BlackLivesMatter Movement

Abstract

This essay proposes constructive developments for a theologia crucis in relation to the #BlackLivesMatter movement. Using Vítor Westhelle’s figura hermeneutic for Lutheran theology, the proposal takes Augustine and Malcolm X as theological “figures” as the content for the contemporary proposals. Although the two theologians chosen as “figures” for this essay are from markedly different historical contexts, they are both theologians of African descent, and provide a way for synthesizing divine delight and radical politics. The theologia crucis proposed here (focusing on the resurrection of the crucified Christ) is offered as one way to radicalize theology in a Lutheran key in response to, and in solidarity with, the #BlackLivesMatter movement.