FUBU Theology

I had to present a theology critique in my Text and Traditions 3 class yesterday. That's a fairly normal occurance in Seminary, right? Except this time my topic was a little unusual... I had to critique Black Liberation Theology. Now how the hell am I supposed to do that? If I've learned anything in life it's that as a white, middle class, suburban American is on very dangerous ground anytime they pretend to know anything about oppression. I admit the whole presentation made me nervous. Eva Marie assured me that a mistep in critiqueing black liberation theology would not send me to hell, but definitely to purgatory for a while. Eh, not so bad then. Everyone at Truett will be in Purgatory for a little while, right? *wink*
Nevertheles, i went ahead with my critique and presentaiton. The book we were reading made it clear that this theology was created "by Blacks, for blacks." The phrase “FUBU theology” instantly popped in my head and I can’t seem to shake it. Anytime we have created a theology “for us, by us” we’ve missed the point entirely. Life is the story of God, not us. The message of Christ is universal, although it takes different forms in different settings.
On the other hand, I believe Scripture teaches us that it’s the people on the outer edges of society that truly “get it.” Throughout the gospels Jesus praises the child, the widow, the minority and the desperate for their true understanding of faith, grace and love. It reminds me of something Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb said when she spoke to my Hebrew class last semester. She said that “the only way to truly understand scripture is to ask the people on the margins what they think the message is. You will never truly understand it by hearing the interpretations of the rich and the powerful or even the majority.”
I think i have a lot left to learn.