About Do Black Lives Matter?
A Conversation with Dennis Edwards
Every Voice: What led you to edit this book? What problem or issue(s) are you seeking to address?
DE: I wanted to bring Black voices together to address the value of Black lives, theologically, biblically, and sermonically—especially in the wake of George Floyd’s murder and many other events like that in our nations’ history.
EV: What is the thesis of your book?
DE: There is no question that Black lives matter, even though the title asks it rhetorically. But the answer to the question is biblical, as well as sociological, political, and ethical.
EV: Who’s your target audience?
DE: I had Black and interested white seminary students and church leaders in mind. I hoped Black people would gain more resources to combat the influence of white supremacy, and I hoped that white people would take note of what how Black scholars address our situation in the USA.
EV: Did you have any “aha” moments while working on the book?
DE: My main area of study is the New Testament, but the book is a collection of essays. Consequently, I gained new insights by seeing how colleagues in other disciplines approached the topic.
EV: What kind of seminary/church classes should assign your book?
DE: Classes such as Ethics, Bible & Social Justice, Hermeneutics (or African American Biblical Interpretation), Church & Society.
About the Editors
Lisa Bowens (PhD, Princeton Theological Seminary) is Associate Professor of New Testament at Princeton Theological Seminary.
Dennis Edwards (PhD, Catholic University of America) is Vice President for Church Relations and Dean of the Seminary at North Park Theological Seminary.