Places of Redemption Theology for a Worldly Church

The primary aim of this book is to explore the contradiction between widely shared beliefs in the USA about racial inclusiveness and equal opportunity for all and the fact that most churches are racially homogeneous and do not include people with disabilities. To address the problem Mary McClintock Fulkerson explores the practices of an interracial church (United Methodist) that includes people with disabilities. The analysis focuses on those activities which create opportunities for people to experience those who are 'different' as equal in ways that diminish both obliviousness to the other and fear of the other. In contrast with theology's typical focus on the beliefs of Christians, this project offers a theory of practices and place that foregrounds the instinctual reactions and communications that shape all groups. The effect is to broaden the academic field of theology through the benefits of ethnographic research and postmodern place theory.

I. Theology from a place
1. Introduction
2. Postmodern place: a frame for appearing
II. The practices that make place
3. Placing Good Samaritan: formation practices
4. Performing gospel: worship practices
5. Working it out: homemaking practices
6. Being biblical: interpretive practices
III. What kind of place?
7. Good Samaritan Church: the unity of the place
8. A theological reading of place