Black Theology and the Profound Self-Understanding of Jesus

This book explores Christology in the Gospels through the lens of Black theology, offering insights on both spiritual formation and Jesus’ self-understanding. Hakim J. Lucas contends that Jesus' famous "I Am" statements from the Gospel of John not only illuminate Christ's personhood but Christian theology. Across twelve chapters, this book traces various iterations of “I Am” statements, asking what Jesus might have meant by the “Bread of Life,” the “Light of the World,” and the “True Vine.” Analyzing the Aramaic meanings behind the phrases Jesus used to describe Himself, Lucas reveals how these statements function within their literary, historical, and cultural contexts, as well as their function within Black theological discourse and the life of the Black church. In purposefully connecting Jesus’ identity to the historical and contemporary struggles of African American Christians, this book draws parallels between Christ’s mission and the liberative theology emergent from the Black church tradition. Blending linguistic analysis, theological reflection, and cultural application, Lucas contributes to and expands upon ongoing scholarly conversations in Christology and Black theology. In doing so, Lucas provides a theological framework for resilience, justice, and spiritual empowerment. By situating Christological inquiry within “I Am,” the volume addresses questions of identity formation, theological meaning, and ethical orientation which have long shaped Christian thought.