Tonda’s book bears many fruits, but vernacular religion might reveal a different spiritual drama at work in late capitalism than the one the book provocatively stages.
Biko Mandela Gray talks about race, radicalism, and religion, and Assata Shakur, with Atiya Husain
The deeply politico-theological questions of shame as an act, guilt as an affect, and redemption as an aspiration remain, to my mind, under-examined in genealogies of modern political ideas, especially regarding the narration and critique of imperial history.
Prophets certainly tend to be charismatic, which suggests that charisma can potentially serve as an index of ethical leadership, but prophets aren’t always charismatic, at least not in an obvious way.
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To gain power, some leaders buttress their narratives with their institutional credentials, while others rely on intangible but often more powerful authority: the authority of charisma.
In a place where Caesar’s authority appeared unquestionable, Peter recognizes another kingdom and another source of authority. His confession quietly challenges every power that claims the final word over human life, hope, and belonging. It reorients allegiance away from imperial claims toward the reign of God revealed in Jesus Christ.
This essay is part of a book series on Neena Mahadev’s Karma and Grace.
This essay is part of the Discourses in Spirituality Round Robin.
