The Church’s problem with race.

The Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice hosted an online conversation on racism and Christianity with the theme ‘God is not white’, on Thursday 25 November 2021.

The speaker was American theologian Dr Taido Chino, who teaches at Augustana College in Illinois. He explored not just the problem of racism, but the ways in which people’s spiritual convictions can help them make a meaningful contribution on this critical cultural issue.

The conversation was moderated by JCFJ Director, Dr Kevin Hargaden – the two have known each other since meeting while studying for their doctorates at the University of Aberdeen.

Dr Chino has lived in a number of places in (and out of) the United States, but most of his life has been spent in central Arkansas, where he was a pastor at a non-denominational church for a number of years.

The legacy of racial strife in the Deep South is well-known, he says,  adding, “I was regularly confronted with the unique challenges of engaging in ministry with a community marked by generations of racial animosity and segregation. Nevertheless, we had a fruitful season of ministry there, and the church was slowly able to overcome the divisions which tend to characterize the American church.”

About a decade ago, Dr Chino says he discerned that his vocation was increasingly shifting towards theological education with students of various kinds. In preparation for that work, he undertook doctoral studies at the University of Aberdeen to reflect on the nature of scripture and its role in the church. “My time there was immensely rewarding,” he says, “and it led to post-doctoral work in Tübingen, Germany, and then to my current teaching position here.”

Dr Chino adds, “I am married to Alison, my better in every respect, and we have four children.”

Read below Martina Madden’s (JCFJ) account of the webinar, including a link to the event on YouTube and a transcript of the conversation.

Transcript of the Conversation 

Full video interview

Irish Jesuits