Identity, Postcolonialism and the Church

This paper examines the question of non-traditional identity using the postcolonial lenses of binary oppositions (pairs of opposites, for example black and white) and liminality (the place where so-called opposites can meet and mingle). Using Gilroy’s imagery of roots and routes, we note a tension in the Church between those who prioritise traditional biblical interpretation (roots) and those who look to see where God may be at work and follow where they believe he is leading (routes). We then turn to our three liminal case studies: cultural identity in the church (Do you need to become Russian to become a Christian?), new identities of Jesus-followers (Christian Muslim identity) and the homosexual discourse in the contemporary Western church (God created me gay and I worship him).

This is the abstract to a paper entitled, "Identity, Postcolonialism and the Church" which I posted on academia.edu last month. Click here to view the full article.

Michael