The Center for the Study of Black Faith and Life (CSBFL), founded in 2007, is the first Center within a denominational seminary that seek connections with the larger Black faith community, inclusive of a variety of Black religions, and offers Master and Doctor of Philosophy degree concentrations in Black faith and Black life. The CSBFL is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging religious leaders committed to addressing the forces of oppression and dehumanization that plague the African American community and the world. The CSBFL lifts high the African American heritage of faith, freedom, and justice. The Center, through research, critical examination, theological reflection, and contextual engagement, works for the betterment of academy, church, and community.
Black Faith, Black Life, Black Improvisation . . . Creativity at Work!
CSBFL Director:
Lee H. Butler, Jr., Ph.D.
Professor of Theology and Psychology
CSBFL Advisory Board:
Randall Bailey, Ph.D.
Nancy Braund Boruch, M.B.A., MA
Edward Davis, M.B.A., D.Min.
Chike Gwam, M.D.
Roy Holmes, D.Min.
Teresa Hord Owens, M.Div.
Barbara O. Ragland, M.B.A.
Overview of Degree Concentrations
The CSBFL participates in ministerial and professional formation by offering Master of Divinity, Master of Sacred Theology, and Doctor of Philosophy degree concentrations in the Study of Black Faith and Life. All degree candidates are required to take TEC 390- Introduction to the Study of Black Faith and Life. The number of electives required to fulfill the concentration requirements are determined by degree program. As a CSBFL candidate, you are free to negotiate topic foci for work to be submitted when taking core courses, but such negotiations will not constitute fulfillment of the number of elective courses required for a degree concentration in the Study of Black Faith and Life. In addition to the courses offered at CTS, a candidate may work toward the fulfillment of elective requirements by taking ACTS courses pre-approved by the CSBFL director.
Concentration Requirements
To earn a concentration in the Study of Black Faith and Life, degree candidates have the following requirements:
M.Div.: Introduction to the Study of Black Faith and Life (required) and seven (7) CSBFL electives.
STM: Introduction to the Study of Black Faith and Life (required) and six (6) CSBFL electives.
Ph.D.: Introduction to the Study of Black Faith and Life (required) and an approved Program of Study.
CSBFL Affiliated Faculty:
Tracey Hucks, Ph.D., Haverford College, Haverford, PA
Debra Majeed, Ph.D., Beloit College, Beloit, WI
James Perkinson, Ph.D., Ecumenical Theological Seminary, Detroit, MI
The C. Shelby Rooks Lecture
This annual lecture has been named for the first African American to serve as President of a predominately white theological school in the United States of America. He served as President of the Chicago Theological Seminary during the years 1974—1984.
President Rooks was committed to both Church ministry and academic excellence. An influential minister in the United Church of Christ, the African American religious community, and the academy, his career as a leader and educator included pastor of the Lincoln Memorial Temple UCC, in Washington, DC, heading the Fund for Theological Education in Princeton, NJ, and serving as executive vice-president of the United Church Board for Homeland Ministries. In addition, he was one of the founders of the Society for the Study of Black Religion.
The Shelby Rooks Lectureship, open to the all, invites individuals and communities, lay, clergy, students and scholars to engage in religious-theological reflection on issues relevant to African American faith, freedom, and justice.
Past Rooks Lectures
2008 Dr. Marcia Y. Riggs, “Dreaming Beloved Community in the 21st Century”
2007 Dr. Peter J. Paris, “Shelby Rooks’ Unfinished Revolution in Theological Education”
Think Tank Papers
Dr. Lee H. Butler, Jr., “Black Church, Black Theology, and the Politics of Religion in America: A Reflection on the Theology-Race Controversy”
Dr. Randall C. Bailey, “The Elections: Race, Religion, Gender, Class, and Sexualities”
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