Date

12-4-2025

Department

Rawlings School of Divinity

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Theology and Apologetics (PhD)

Chair

Linda P. Saunders

Keywords

ecclesiology, Carl F. H. Henry, James H. Cone, social consciousness, justice, racial structures, church, evangelicalism, black church, liberative ecclesiology, critical comparative analysis, civil rights, jim crow, transatlantic slave trade, colonial evangelicalism, contextualization, divine revelation, inerrant

Disciplines

Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion

Abstract

The doctrine of the Church has remained a controversial and enigmatic topic for centuries. Since its inception, scholars have debated the doctrine of the Church, challenged its boundaries, and questioned its role in society. As contemporary society evolves, the Church encounters multifaceted challenges, compelling it to adapt while maintaining its spiritual mission. To address this concern, this study analyzes the ecclesiologies of Carl F. H. Henry and James H. Cone through the lens of social consciousness. A critical comparative analysis provides the most dynamic framework for examining these perspectives. By exploring probable theological points of convergence and divergence, this study aims to construct a liberative ecclesiology applicable for the twenty-first century church.

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