Introducing Cornel West

May 24, 2010 9:55 PM

What books or articles should I read to introduce me to the theology of Cornel West?

I'm primarily looking for West's theological and philosophical thought (in or out of the context of race), not works like Race Matters which focus on history or politics.

posted by l33tpolicywonk to Religion & Philosophy (4 answers total)

Best answer: I don't know so much about the theological side of your question, but on the philosophical side, The American Evasion of Philosophy seems like his key work to me, as it spells out the intellectual tradition that West sees himself as emerging from and building upon. It's a worthwhile and interesting read, in any case.
posted by RogerB at 10:02 PM on May 24, 2010

Best answer: Read section VI: Prophetic Christian Thought, from The Cornel West Reader. In a little under 100 pages, you'll have a good grasp on his theology.
posted by Pater Aletheias at 10:06 PM on May 24, 2010

Here's an article from a West critic that discusses the matter. Not very positive - dismisses his work as intellectually superficial, and questions his "Chekhovian" Christianity.
posted by overthrow at 1:04 AM on May 25, 2010

That Salon article is by David Horowitz, who seems to hate West (as he hates many people) beyond the bounds of reason. I don't actually have an opinion of West, but Horowitz certainly has an agenda that disqualifies him from writing objectively about the man and his work.
posted by OmieWise at 5:08 AM on May 25, 2010