Black Jesus appears in liberating new art book “The Way of the Cross”

“15. The Resurrection” by Janet McKenzie

A black Jesus lives, dies and rises again in “The Way of the Cross,” a new book with art by Janet McKenzie and text by Joan Chittister.

The book is wonderful for personal reflections, especially during Holy Week, which begins this Sunday. It strikes just the right chord for the Passion of Christ today. The optimistic undertone builds to a joyous yet solemn vision of the risen Christ, welcoming with wounded hands as he gazes lovingly at the viewer.

McKenzie, a Vermont artist, got international acclaim (and hate mail) for confronting stereotypes about race and gender when she painted the androgynous “Jesus of the People.” In 1999 it won the National Catholic Reporter’s contest to find an image of Jesus for the new millennium, judged by Sister Wendy Beckett.

The artist used an African American woman as model for “Jesus of the People,” but a mixed-race man modeled for Christ in her “Way of the Cross.” His African American and Caucasian roots are manifest in different ways in each painting.

Chittister, a Benedictine nun and popular author, gives a progressive interpretation to the Passion in her reflections, emphasizing that the cross is a symbol for the suffering of all people. She engages the reader with haunting questions such as: “What crosses do you yourself take on, knowing the risk, understanding the cost and being committed to the consequences?” (p. 25).

An odd omission is the lack of explanation about the book’s most radical aspect: Envisioning Jesus as black. Chittister says nothing about it, leaving it to the viewer make the connection expressed by theologian James Cone: “The blackness of God means that God has made the oppressed condition God's own condition” (quoted from the book “A Black Theology of Liberation.”)

McKenzie explained more in an interview with the Jesus in Love Blog: “There has been little mention of the racial identity of the subjects, unlike my painting ‘Jesus of the People,’ which created such controversy. This lack of commentary on the racial aspect makes me hopeful that finally it is accepted, even celebrated, that we are all created equally, lovingly and beautifully in God's likeness.”

Chittister includes LGBTQ people in her compassionate vision. Her commentary on the 6th station praises Veronica for reaching out to wipe the sweat and grime off the face of Jesus as he stumbles under the cross. She adds, “It’s a false zeal that focuses on the addiction but ignores the addict, that calls others to family values but gives no child beyond our own a helping hand, that deplores discrimination but ignores gays and lesbians.”

“12. Jesus Dies on the Cross” by Janet McKenzie

The book follows the Stations of the Cross, a set of artistic images developed by 4th-century pilgrims retracing Jesus’ footsteps in Jerusalem. Chittister takes pains to find a positive message in each of the 14 traditional Stations of the Cross, transforming what can be a grim subject into something “that reminds us again that there is new life at the end of every daily death.” (p. 13). Indeed the book is subtitled “The Path to New Life.” It concludes with the innovative 15th Station, which was added in recent decades to show the resurrection. In McKenzie’s version Jesus’ eyes are closed until the very last image.

McKenzie is known for her paintings of women, and some of the book’s strongest images show Jesus interacting with women: meeting his mother, engaging the weeping women of Jerusalem, being cradled by his mother in an understated modern pieta. “The subjects for Mary and Jesus are mother and son in life, and I believe their profound love for one another is visible, as the love between Mary and Jesus surely was,” McKenzie told the Jesus in Love Blog.

“4. Jesus Meets His Mother" by Janet McKenzie

The artist and writer seem to have worked independently, for the text makes no reference at all to the imagery in the paintings. The commentary could go with any Stations of the Cross, whether with these images, other images, or no images at all. It is up to the readers to create synergy between word and image in their own hearts and minds.

McKenzie builds luminous images by incorporating drawing and line into he oil paintings. All the backgrounds of her Stations are nondescript, giving them an eternal quality outside of ordinary space and time. Most are in meditative shades of mauve and lavender.

Each in their own ways the artist and author express a mature spirituality and a depth of understanding about the cross and its implications. It provides many insights about aspects of life that are not usually associated with the Passion of Christ.

The original paintings, each measuring 22 by 28 inches, will be displayed at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Boston during Holy Week, which coincides with the one-year anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombing. The first exhibition of the new Stations series took place earlier in 2014 with the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa, Wisconsin. Between April 1 and Holy Week, they are on view in Arlington, Massachusetts with the Sisters of St. Anne-Bethany.

A profile of McKenzie is included in my book “Art That Dares: Gay Jesus, Woman Christ, and More.” It is filled with color images by 11 contemporary artists from the United States and Europe. Many had their work censored or destroyed for daring to show Jesus in liberating new ways. The artists tell the stories behind the images, and my introduction puts them into political and historical context, exploring issues of blasphemy and artistic freedom.

My next book will also present contemporary art that takes a liberating look at the Way of the Cross. “The Passion of Christ: A Gay Vision” with paintings by Douglas Blanchard will be published in 2014 by Apocryphile Press. Click here to get updates on the gay Passion book.

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Related links:
Janet McKenzie: Conservatives blast inclusive Christmas card

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http://www.jesusinlove.blogspot.com/
Jesus in Love Blog on LGBT spirituality and the arts

The Queer Spirituality of Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga inside pink triangles, from “Born This Way” video

By Patrick S. Cheng

Lady Gaga, the global pop music sensation, is known for her strong lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) following. Whether it’s due to her fabulous wardrobe and makeup, her visually stunning music videos, her strong statements in support of LGBT rights, or her androgynous aesthetic, Gaga has cultivated a dedicated LGBT fan base over the last few years.

With the May 23 release of her most recent album, Born This Way, Lady Gaga has shown that she is much more than just a queer cultural icon. She is also a queer spiritual evangelist who refuses to shy away from controversial religious topics. Indeed, the provocative lyrics of several songs in Born This Way challenge, or “queer,” a number of deeply-held theological beliefs.

For example, in her title track “Born This Way” (see video below), Lady Gaga queers the classical Christian notion of original sin. Instead of understanding human beings as being fallen at birth, Gaga strongly affirms the intrinsic goodness of all persons. According to Gaga, we are “all born superstars” and that “God makes no mistakes.” In Gaga’s words, “Don’t be a drag – just be a queen.” Despite being “outcast, bullied, or teased” – as many LGBT children and youth are today – we are called to love ourselves unconditionally.

In “Black Jesus † Amen Fashion,” Lady Gaga uses the symbol of the Black Jesus to disrupt our conventional thought patterns, theological or otherwise. According to Gaga, this song is about her experiences of moving to downtown New York City at the age of 19 and experiencing an entirely new way of thinking. By lifting up the Black Jesus, Gaga challenges our deeply-held assumptions about faith, which is precisely what Black liberation theologians have done since the late 1960s. In this song, Gaga proclaims that “Jesus is the new black,” and calls on the Black Jesus to “Work it.” She challenges us to embrace a new way of seeing, which should be just like putting on new clothes and “fashion.”

In “Bloody Mary,” Lady Gaga lifts up the divine feminine, which parallels what feminist theologians have done for decades in the face of patriarchal religious oppression. According to an interview in the UK’s New Musical Express magazine, Gaga said that “Bloody Mary” is about exploring both the humanity and the divinity of the biblical figure of Mary Magdalene. Speaking in the voice of Mary Magdalene in the song, Gaga vows to be strong – to the point of being superhuman – in the face of Jesus’ crucifixion. She says that “I won’t cry for you,” despite the fact that she is afraid of dying alone (“J’ai peur mourir toute seule”).

Finally, in the provocative song “Judas” (see video below), Lady Gaga challenges the traditional demonization – or scapegoating – of Judas Iscariot. Although Judas is normally seen as the ultimate betrayer of Jesus Christ, Gaga sings “I’m in love with Judas” throughout the song. Although Jesus is Gaga’s “virtue,” Judas is the “demon” that she clings to. In the music video, Lady Gaga rides with the leader (that is, the Christ figure) of a 12-member motorcycle gang. However, Gaga is attracted to another biker, the Judas figure. Gaga has the chance to shoot Judas, but she does not do so. Instead, Gaga is stoned to death by those around her.

As I have written elsewhere, “Judas” reminds me of the second-century gnostic Gospel of Judas. According to that non-canonical gospel, Judas is actually the most loyal of the twelve apostles. He is the only apostle who truly understands Jesus’ mission. That is, Judas is simply following Jesus’ command by turning him over to the authorities. As such, Judas is the but-for cause of our salvation! For me, the song “Judas” challenges us to rethink our assumptions about salvation and to examine more closely the ways in which our faith traditions often scapegoat the “other,” including LGBT people.

In sum, Lady Gaga’s new album, Born This Way, is an exciting new expression of queer spirituality. Hopefully it will provoke much discussion among LGBT theological, religious, and spiritual enthusiasts in the weeks and months to come.

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Patrick S. Cheng is the Assistant Professor of Historical and Systematic Theology at Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, MA. He writes for the religion section of the Huffington Post, and he is the author of Radical Love: An Introduction to Queer Theology. For more information about Patrick, see his website at http://www.patrickcheng.net/index.html.

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You might also enjoy:

“Lady Gaga Walks the Weird Wall: Toby Johnson Reflects on the Goddess Mythology of BORN THIS WAY” by gay spirituality author Toby Johnson at the MyOutSpirit Gay Spirituality Blog

“Erotic Christ / Rethinking Sin and Grace for LGBT People” by Patrick Cheng

Cool workshop: Queer Christ and the Queen

Her Majesty looks down on a nude black Jesus as Axel Schwaigert teaches

Queen Elizabeth seemed to look down in disapproval when images of Jesus as black, gay or female were shown at a European church conference recently.

The alternative Christ figures were shown by Axel Schwaigert in his workshop “Art That Dares: Images of the Holy” at the European Conference of Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC) held in Manchester, England in November.

Schwaigert, pastor of MCC Stuttgart, Germany, says he was so busy presenting the Europakonferenz workshop that he didn’t notice the odd contrast between Her Majesty and the controversial art.

An especially funny photo (above) shows a prim and proper queen looking down her nose at a triumphant black Jesus in all his naked glory. The painting is “Triumph of the Light” by Becki Jayne Harrelson.

Much of the art in the workshop has offended conservative Christians, but Schwaigert said that it inspired the people at his workshop, adding “Somebody immediately drew a transgendered female to male christ!”

Schwaigert went on to report, “I already suspected that people would not be shocked. We Europeans deal differently with nudity than the average American. But it was so interesting to see how people started to think... I showed one of the female christs, very beautiful and naked on the cross and somebody asked: and where am I? where is the middle aged women, slightly out of shape, with hanging [breasts]...? And that is exactly the kind of thinking we need: Where am I in all of that...”

Schwaigert hopes to lead the workshop again for more conservative audiences. His workshop included many images from my book “Art That Dares: Gay Jesus, Woman Christ, and More.”

Axel Schwaigert discusses the female “Christ Sophia” icon by Robert Lentz

Black Jesus, Gay Jesus and Obama

Black Jesus is causing controversy now for U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama. “Jesus was a poor black man who lived in a country and lived in a culture that was controlled by rich, white people,” said Obama’s recently retired pastor Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr. He was preaching to a predominantly black congregation. If you can't see the video above, click here to see it. I appreciate the need for the black Jesus because as a lesbian minister and author I promote the idea of a queer Christ. These radically new Christ figures embody and empower people who are left out when Jesus is shown as a straight man. They can free the minds of everyone. However, some people reacted with outrage when videos of Wright’s preaching were broadcast on national television yesterday. News reports about the controversy focus not only on the black Jesus, but also on his analysis of U.S. politics, which Obama has condemned as “inflammatory and appalling.” Wright recently retired as pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago. Watch him on video and judge for yourself. ________ Kittredge Cherry is the author of Art That Dares: Gay Jesus, Woman Christ, and More. She blogs at the Jesus in Love Blog and edits the Jesus in Love Newsletter on queer spirituality and the arts. She offers progressive spiritual resources at JesusInLove.org.