At the NCCA
Biography Dr. Anthony G. Reddie
Anthony G. Reddie was born and brought up in Bradford, West Yorkshire. He holds a B.A. in History and a Ph.D. in Education (with theology) both degrees conferred by the University of Birmingham.
He is presently a Research Fellow Black Theology for The Queen’s Foundation For Ecumenical Theological Education.
He is also an honorary lecturer in both the theology and education departments of the University of Birmingham, where he supervises post-graduate students and is an internal marker of post-graduate dissertations and theses.
He is the author of Growing into Hope, the first Black, African-centred work in Christian Education in Europe (Methodist Publishing House, 1998). Growing into Hope is a two-volume curriculum for the teaching and learning of the Christian faith for predominantly multi ethnic churches. This approach to Christian education utilises the insights of Black Theology and Transformative education.
Since Growing into Hope his other credits have included Legacy: Anthology in Memory of Jillian Brown (Methodist Publishing House, 2000), and then Faith, Stories and the Experience of Black Elders: Singing the Lord’s Song in a Strange Land (Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2001). This latter work seeks to highlight the important contributions of older Black people to church life and the wider society in Britain.
In 2003 Nobodies to Somebodies: A Practical Theology for Education and Liberation (Epworth press) was published. This text offered the first systematic approach to the theory and practice of Christian education for predominantly Black majority, inner city churches in Britain. This was followed by Acting In Solidarity: Reflections in Critical Christianity (DLT, 2005), which offers an interactive and participative approach to theological reflection by means of drama and experiential exercises.
His current books include Dramatizing Theologies: A Participative Approach to Black God-Talk (London: Equinox, 2006), Black Theology in Transatlantic Dialogue: Inside (looking) Out, Outside (Looking) In (New York: Palgrave/MacMillan, 2006) and Post colonial Black British Theology: Textures and Themes - co-edited with Michael N. Jagessar (Peterborough: Epworth press, Jan. 2007), and Black Theology in Britain: A Reader - co-edited with Michael N. Jagessar (London: Equinox, September, 2007).
His later books include: - Working Against The Grain: Re-thinking Black Theology in the 21st Century (London: Equinox, 2008) and Is God Colour Blind? Insights from Black Theology for Christian Ministry (London: SPCK, c. autumn 2009). Future works include Black Theology, Slavery, and Contemporary Christianity, (Ashgate, c.2010).
Dr. Reddie has been the editor of Black Theology: An International Journal (published three times a year by Equinox) since Sept. 2001.
He is also the founder, chair and convener of the 1st ever Black Religious Scholars Support Group (BRSSG), which precedes the national Black Theology Forum that meets on the last Thursday of every month at the Queen’s Foundation.
He is the chair and convener of the national Black Theology Forum, which is the most established setting for the verbal articulation of Black theology in Britain. The forum meets on the last Thursday of every month at the Queen’s Foundation.
He is also a Founder member of the International Association on Black Religions and Spiritualities.
His research interests and areas of supervisory competence include Black theology and other Contextual theologies, Practical theology, Christian education and Children’s and Youth ministries.
Dr Reddie sits on a number of Connexional Committees for the Methodist church. In his capacity as a Consultant in Black Theological Studies he advises British Methodism and her ecumenical partners on issues pertaining to the dissemination Black theological issues within the overall mission and ministry of the church.
Dr Reddie is the leading scholar in the practice of Black theology in grassroots communities of faithful practice. He is a specialist in using educational methodology and grassroots work on conscientization and formation in order to create a more praxis driven and practical approach to Black theology that impacts on communities of faith (particularly churches) in order to empower ordinary people. This work is ongoing and has resulted in several scholarly publications and numerous essays and articles, in addition to more popular material that is often eschewed by conventional theological scholars. In this regard, he would describe himself as one of the foremost Practical Black theologians in the world.
He is also one of the leading theorists and practitioners in the development of racism awareness (or diversity) training in Britain. This work is approached from a perspective that is informed by Black liberation theology and Post Colonial Studies.
He is also a Methodist Local Preacher.