Dwight Hopkins facts for kids

Dwight Nathaniel Hopkins (born 1953) is an American theologian and an ordained Baptist minister. He is a professor of theology at the University of Chicago.

About Dwight Hopkins

Early Life and Education

Dwight Hopkins was born on February 22, 1953, in Richmond, Virginia. He went to Harvard University and earned his first degree in 1976.

Later, he studied at Union Theological Seminary. There, he earned three more degrees: a Master of Divinity in 1984, a Master of Philosophy in 1987, and a Doctor of Philosophy in 1988. He also earned a second PhD from the University of Cape Town in South Africa. This research helped him write his book Down, Up and Over: Slave Religion and Black Theology (2000).

His Work as a Professor

Today, Professor Hopkins teaches theology at the Divinity School of the University of Chicago. He also helps lead a global project called the International Association of Black Religions and Spiritualities. This project is supported by the Ford Foundation.

Professor Hopkins is also a member and teacher at Trinity United Church of Christ. This is the same church that Barack Obama used to attend.

What is Black Theology?

Dwight Hopkins is a constructive theologian. This means he works on developing new ways to understand theology. He focuses on black theology and liberation theologies.

He explains black theology as "how God, or the spirit of freedom, works with the oppressed black community for their full humanity." According to Hopkins, black theology began in 1966. A group of black pastors placed an ad in the New York Times. They asked for a "theological interpretation of black power." Today, black theology helps black churches and communities during difficult times.

Hopkins became interested in black theology after reading an article by James H. Cone. Cone was a professor at Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York. Hopkins met with the dean to discuss the article. Soon after, he joined the master's program, and James H. Cone became his advisor.

Professor Hopkins has also spoken about the importance of the black church. He believes that attacks on certain leaders or churches can harm the entire institution. He has said that criticizing a black church leader is like criticizing the black church itself. He feels that if the black church is silenced, other churches might be next.

His Books

Professor Hopkins has written and edited many books. Here are some of them:

• Being Human: Race, Culture, and Religion, 2005.
• Cut Loose Your Stammering Tongue: Black Theology in the Slave Narratives, revised and expanded edition, 2003; co-editor.
• Global Voices for Gender Justice, co-editor with Ramathate Dolamo and Ana Maria Tepedino.
• Heart and Head: Black Theology Past, Present, and Future, 2002.
• Religions/Globalizations: Theories and Cases, 2001; co-editor.
• Black Faith & Public Talk: Essays in Honor of James H. Cone's "Black Theology and Black Power", 1999; editor.
• Down, Up & Over: Slave Religion and Black Theology, 1999.
• Introducing Black Theology of Liberation, 1999.
• Liberation Theologies, Post-Modernity, and the Americas, 1997; co-editor.
• Changing Conversations: Religious Reflection and Cultural Analysis, 1996; co-editor.
• Shoes That Fit our Feet: Sources for a Constructive Black Theology, 1993. This book was named an Outstanding Book on Human Rights.
• We Are One Voice: Essays on Black Theology in South Africa and the USA, 1989; co-editor.
• Black Theology in the U.S.A. and South Africa: Politics, Culture, and Liberation, 1989.