Black Theology Unit

The Black Theology Unit invites papers that critically engage concepts of time (e.g., in time, on time, out of time, with time, for time, by time, beyond time, past, present, and future time, timelessness, marking time, passing time, loosing time, wasting time, racing against time, exceeding time, surpassing time, making time, negating time, embracing time, through time, celebrating time, timeliness, a matter of time, biding time, timed, this time, such a time as this, good time, bad time, etc.).  Time can be a constraint and/or an opportunity in fugitivities, quests for liberation, and constructive developments of institutional infrastructure.

• In Black Theology, time is an important biblical theme in the Exodus and for Hagar.  Papers may address the biblical concept of time taking up a comparative analysis of time in Black Theology and womanist theology, for Moses and Hagar and liberation journeys.
• Time plays a fundamental conceptual, theological, and philosophical role in Black films and literature — especially those engaging Afrofuturist concepts.  Papers addressing the ways Black Theological “time” resonates in, challenges, transforms, and/or informs these artistic and literary forms are welcome.  Time as it relates to sin, sinners, and (the film) Sinners, is an interest here.
• One of the central attractions of artificial intelligences is the way these intelligences fundamentally change our relationship with time (and how we spend our time).  Thinking about the worth of time (especially as it relates to labor), we welcome papers that offer critical Black Theological approaches to artificial time, the artificiality of time, and what Artificial Intelligence does with/to time.
• Papers addressing comparative analytical approaches between transtime, queer time, indigenous, and Black (Theological) time are encouraged.
• We invite papers that address “demonic” (i.e., sorting and/or spiritual) and organizational institutional, governing, and social time, especially in the wake of the 60th anniversary year of the National Committee of Negro Churchmen’s “Black Power” Statement and the 250th anniversary year of United States “Independence Day.”  We also welcome papers that engage Black Theology to plan and strategize for (better) future times (and places).
• The times of historic and contemporary Islams — especially at the intersections of women and Black theology are interest.
• Papers on time as it relates to social media (including viral trends and themes) and Black Theology are welcomed.
• What is the “time” we seek?  (i.e., “I am living/working/being/looking for a time when. . . .”)