Womanish Theology - by Khristi Lauren Adams

About the Book

This book centers the theological experiences of young Black girls as a rich source of spiritual teaching on topics such as Scripture, theodicy, salvation, prayer, and neighbor love for the whole community of God.

Book Synopsis

Khristi Lauren Adams's faith was first shaped by her experiences as a Black girl--learning about Scripture from her grandmother, Mama Hattie; "playing church" with her seven cousins over summer vacation; and grieving the murder of her sixteen-year-old friend when she was just fifteen.

In Womanish Theology, Adams reflects on those experiences, inviting readers to learn from a new perspective and guiding them to a deeper understanding of their own spirituality.

This groundbreaking book introduces a new branch of theological thought Adams calls womanish, as a play on the womanist tradition (the theology of Black womanhood). "Womanish," remembers Adams, is a term Black mothers used for young girls as they grew more interested in doing grown-up things. Adams draws on her own life story as well as the life stories of other Black girls to explore theological concepts such as Scripture, theodicy, salvation, prayer, neighborly love, and the image of God.

Through this journey, readers will learn that theology is for everyone and that the whole community of God can learn from the spiritual insights of Black girls.

From the Back Cover

Introducing a Theology of Black Girlhood

Khristi Lauren Adams's faith was shaped by her experiences as a Black girl. Drawing on her life story as well as the life stories of other Black girls, Womanish Theology centers their experiences as a rich source of spiritual teaching for us all.

This book introduces a new branch of thought Adams calls womanish theology, a play on the womanist tradition (the theology of Black womanhood). By exploring how prayer, salvation, suffering, hospitality, and more play out in many Black girls' lives, she helps us discover that theology is for everyone and that the whole community of God can learn from their insights.

"This is required reading for all of us!"
--Candice Marie Benbow, author of Red Lip Theology

"I found myself reclaiming and cherishing anew my own Black girl spiritual development journey."
--Christina H. Edmondson, certified cultural intelligence facilitator, public speaker, mental health therapist, and coauthor of Faithful Antiracism

"A bold and brave exploration of the spiritual lives of Black girls and adolescents."
--Jonathan Lee Walton, president, Princeton Theological Seminary; author of Watch This! and A Lens of Love

About the Author

Khristi Lauren Adams (MDiv, Princeton Theological Seminary) is a speaker, writer, youth advocate, and ordained Baptist minister. She is the award-winning author of Parable of the Brown Girl (named the Best Young Adult Book by the African American Literary Awards and the New York Black Librarians Caucus) as well as Unbossed: How Black Girls Are Leading the Way and its middle grade version, Black Girls Unbossed: Young World Changers Leading the Way. Adams formerly worked as dean of spiritual life and equity at the Hill School in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, and now is the executive director of community and belonging at the St. Paul's Schools in Maryland.