Messianism Against Christology

Resistance Movements, Folk Arts, and Empire

Messianism Against Christology: Resistance Movements, Folk Arts and Empire is a work committed to re-thinking the Christian tradition from the point of view of messianic movements of eco-sustainability and social justice rather than magnified individuals.  Framed by considerations of political struggle and insurgent folk art in contemporary Detroit and ancient Ethiopia, the work concentrates its attention on the biblical tradition, teasing out memories of pastoral nomad resistance not entirely erased by the repressions of agricultural empires, that are revitalized in the prophetic movements of Elijah, the Baptist and Jesus.  It also underscores the relevance of these “little tradition” practices for eco-politics and indigenous solidarity efforts today.