J. Deotis Roberts facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Deotis Roberts
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | July 12, 1927 Spindale, North Carolina, U.S.
|
| Died | July 26, 2022 (aged 95) |
| Alma mater | New College, University of Edinburgh |
| Occupation | Theologian |
|
Notable work
|
A Black Political Theology (1974) |
| Scientific career | |
| Institutions |
|
| Thesis | "Rational theology of Benjamin Whichcote : father of the Cambridge Platonists" (1957) |
James Deotis Roberts (July 12, 1927 – July 26, 2022) was an American theologian. A theologian is someone who studies religion and God. Roberts was a very important person in starting the Black theology movement.
Contents
About James Deotis Roberts
James Deotis Roberts was born in Spindale, North Carolina. He went to several universities to earn his degrees. He received his Bachelor of Arts (AB) from Johnson C. Smith University. He then earned a Bachelor of Divinity (BD) from Shaw University Divinity School. Later, he got a Master of Sacred Theology (STM) from Hartford Seminary.
His Education and Achievements
In 1957, Roberts made history. He became the first African American to earn a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from New College, University of Edinburgh. His PhD was in Philosophical Theology, which is a deep study of religious ideas using philosophy.
Many years later, in 1994, the University of Edinburgh honored him again. They gave him an honorary Doctor of Letters (DLitt) degree. This was a special award for his important work.
His Teaching Career
Roberts taught at Howard University's School of Religion for many years, from 1958 to 1980. He also served as the president of the Interdenominational Theological Center from 1980 to 1983.
After that, he became a special professor at Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He taught there until 1998. He then became a Distinguished Professor Emeritus, meaning he was a highly respected retired professor. Roberts was also the first and only Black president of the American Theological Society from 1994 to 1995.
Black Theology Movement
James Deotis Roberts became well-known for his work in Black theology. This movement explores religious ideas from the perspective of Black people's experiences and struggles. He also studied the ideas of another theologian named Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
In the 1960s, Roberts and James H. Cone became two main leaders in the Black theology movement. Roberts believed that some religious ideas were not helpful for Black people in America. He also had some disagreements with early works by James H. Cone. However, Roberts also saw himself as a bridge between Cone's ideas and those of Martin Luther King Jr..
In 2005, a special book was written to honor him. It was called The Quest for Liberation and Reconciliation.
