MA K van der Ham

Awareness of systemic racism in the Netherlands is increasing, yet limited attention has been paid to manifestations of racism within contemporary churches. As churches are fully part of the interwoven reality of Dutch society, similar dynamics of systemic racism likely occur in church settings too. Thus far, research on racism in the Netherlands has given little attention to the influence of the Christian tradition on contemporary racist reflexes. If churches effectively want to move towards lived Christian theology aimed at disrupting racism, it is essential that such theology resonates with grassroots perspectives.

This research project aims to gain a better understanding of experiences of and views on racism in Dutch society of church members, and to explore how joint initiatives of church members with different racial power positions can help us to move towards a lived theology that disrupts racism. In researching this, the project intends to uncover entanglements of Christianity with contemporary racial ideologies as a result of the transgenerational reproduction of cultural identity and a history of enslavement and colonialism.

This participative practical theological research project is inspired by liberationist practical theology and liberation hermeneutics. It takes a case study of local partnerships between majority White and majority People of Colour congregations. Congregations that are rather homogeneous in terms of racialized identities that engage with communities holding a different power position within the racist system. Interactions in which race and racism likely play a role.

Using the methods of Contextual Bible Study (CBS) and Intercultural Bible Reading (IBR), this project facilitates a collective reflection and constructive interaction on conflicting experiences and views regarding racism and white supremacy in contemporary churches and Dutch society, in combination with a reflection on the Christian theological concepts involved.

This interdisciplinary research project will hereby aim to contribute to respond to one of the most urgent and complex challenges for church and society today: how do we respond to racism, with due regard for our own (historical) role in maintaining racist structures in society?