The Sin of White Supremacy: Christianity, Racism, and Religious Diversity in America. By Jeannine Hill Fletcher. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2017. xiii + 194 pages. $28.00 (paper).

Abstract

neo-Aristotelian a priori and syllogistic logic, metaphysics of substance, and causation theory-philosophical commitments few contemporary theologians ascribe. In keeping with that shortcoming, and like Baroque theology itself, the method here is analytical, abstract, formalistic, defensively apologetic, along with being neglectful of biblical traditions, historical analysis, and inculturated realities. And perhaps most importantly, Fields' methodology is disconnected from real life pastoral concerns and ecclesial issues, considerations theologies of today must take into account. Such critiques remind me of what the French Dominicans at La Saulchior (Chenu, Congar, and Féret) found problematic in the prevailing Catholic theology of their day, which they labeled "Baroque." Finally, like Baroque art, the writing here, while intended to transport readers into heavenly realms of theological thought, feels overly intricate, convoluted, and ornate; there is simply too much going on in the prose that overwhelms the reader. That, combined with an excess of subordinate clauses and the absence of flow between paragraphs, makes reading this text an arduous process. Yet, at the same time, the agenda of each chapter is clear, and the text is well indexed. One would be hard pressed to put the text on a graduate, much less undergraduate, syllabus. Theological libraries should acquire a copy, while only interested academics and specialists in the field of theological anthropology may want to consider adding it to their personal collections.