Towards a Womanist Homiletical Theology for Subverting Rape Culture

摘要

Rape culture has been endemic in the Church since its inception. With ideological and cultural roots in the Bible, the Church has long supported sexualized violence against women. It has supported rape culture, not only as a site of sexualized violence, but also in its failure to engage violence against women as a crucial social issue. In particular, the Black Church has supported rape culture by failing to bear witness to the proliferation of sexualized violence against Black women. It must contend with the heightened sexual vulnerability of Black women, who comprise the majority of the membership of the Black Church. Due to the high affect and authority of Black preaching, Black preachers must utilize a Womanist Homiletical Theology to subvert antiblack rape culture. This homiletic is prophetic in its denunciation of antiblackness and misogynoir. It is disruptive in its inclusion of the voices and stories of Black women. It provides healing for survivors and wholeness to entire communities.