De-Colonial Theology: Thought and Practice

 Canadian School of Peacebuilding

In June, Terry LeBlanc will be the instructor at the Canadian School of Peacebuilding at CMU.  The course is called "De-Colonial Theology:  Thought and Practice".  Here is the course descriptor:  Colonial imprints lie heavy on Indigenous “Christian” praxis and theology in North America. These imprints are a result of theologies  constructed within specific philosophical and biblical frameworks historic to European, Christian faith.  In this course, using several  Indigenous teaching paradigms, Terry LeBlanc will examine these philosophical and biblical foundations, asking whether a different  Indigenous theology and praxis of faith in the person, work, life, teaching, death and resurrection of Jesus might emerge if other  foundations were to be set in place.  

You can find more information about the School of Peacebuilding by clicking here.  Bob has suggested that our Just Living group be informed about this very relevant course.  Kathleen has already registered.

 Sojourners Magazine

The most recent Sojourners magazine has an article by Terry LeBlanc called "Reclaiming the Word".  The subtitle is:  In missionary hands, the gospel was too often a bludgeon used to divide and conquer Native communities. Today, Indigenous theologians are finding redemptive power in that very same gospel.

Here is an excerpt from the article:  For generations, Native North Americans and other Indigenous peoples have lived the false belief that a fulfilled relationship with their Creator through Jesus required rejecting their own culture and adopting another, European in origin. In consequence, conventional approaches to mission with Indigenous peoples in North America and around the world have produced relatively dismal outcomes.

You can read LeBlanc's article by clicking here.

NOTE:  Both this course and the article are likely very relevant to our planning for Faith in the City 2.

- Submitted by Bob and Kathleen