Open Bible Study Series: Rev. Dr. Andrea C. White

The Cross and its Womanist Interpretations, A Matter of Life and Death

Please join us as we delve into the heart of the Christian faith, centered around the pivotal event of Christ’s death on the cross. Symbolically, the cross poses a profound scandal. How can an instrument of imperial power, designed for the execution of religious and political dissenters, also embody God’s love? What deeper significance lies within Jesus’ crucifixion? Why does salvation seemingly hinge on violent death, and how can suffering be redemptive?

The cross event prompts critical inquiries into the nature of Christian faith and practice, particularly in its call for self-sacrifice. Yet, what implications does this demand hold for oppressed peoples, whose lives are constantly sacrificed for the empire’s gain? History bears witness to how the cross has been exploited to justify sacrifice and legitimize suffering. How do we reconcile the Christian narrative of atonement when it appears to necessitate violence and death?

Amidst these challenging reflections, do we risk overshadowing Jesus’ life, resurrection, ministry, and mission with an excessive focus on his death on the cross? Is there transformative power inherent in the blood shed upon it?

We invite you to join  fellow Riversider and womanist theologian, Rev. Dr. Andrea C. White, as we grapple with these profound questions throughout a three-week Open Bible Study series this summer.

BIOGRAPHY

ANDREA C. WHITE BIO

The Rev. Dr. Andrea C. White is Associate Professor of Theology and Culture at Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York.  Her teaching and research fashion a nexus between womanist theology, black critical theory, and phenomenology.  Among her current book projects is Scandal of Flesh: Black Women’s Bodies, God and Politics(Cambridge University Press).  Andrea has served as Faculty Chair of the Columbia University Senate’s Commission on Diversity, Executive Director of the Society for the Study of Black Religion and Chair of the American Academy of Religion’s program unit in Black Theology.  She is also a faculty leader for Fellowships at Auschwitz for the Study of Professional Ethics.  She holds a PhD in theology from The University of Chicago Divinity School, MDiv from Yale Divinity School, and BA with honors in philosophy from Oberlin College and Conservatory.  Andrea has been an ordained American Baptist minister for over twenty-five years.  She serves as Theologian-in-Residence at The Riverside Church and sits on the Ordination Council of American Baptist Churches of Metro New York.  Before her academic posts, she served as pastor of Aldrich Baptist Church in North Franklin, NY, hospice chaplain for Catskill Area Hospice and chaplain at Springbrook in Oneonta, NY, a residential school for children and adults with developmental disabilities.  Andrea is a proud native New Yorker and a violinist.  She and her husband, Rev. Richard Landers have two teenage daughters, Mara and Chloe.

DATE & TIME

Sunday, July 14th, 21st, and 28th | 7:00 PM

The Riverside Church | Nave & Online
490 Riverside Drive
New York, NY