Curriculum Vitae    

Harry H. Singleton, III, Ph. D.

harryhsingleton@gmail.com

(803) 447-4194

 

 

Campus Contact Information

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Department of African American Studies

University of South Carolina

Gambrell Hall, Room 258

817 Henderson Street

Columbia, South Carolina 29208

Phone: (803) 777-7248

Email: HSINGLET@mailbox.sc.edu

 

Department of Religious Studies

University of South Carolina

Rutledge Chapel

902 Sumter Street

Columbia, South Carolina 29208

Phone: (803) 777-4100

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Education

Ph. D., The Graduate Theological Union

Systematic Theology/Philosophy

Berkeley, California, 1998.

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M. Div., The Interdenominational Theological Center (Morehouse School of Religion)

Theology, Old Testament

Atlanta, Georgia, 1993.

 

B. S., The University of South Carolina

Statistics

Columbia, South Carolina, 1988.

           

Areas of Specialization and Research Interests

 

• Liberation Theologies (Black, Womanist and Latin American)

• Nineteenth and Twentieth Century Theology

• Hegemonic Theologies/Christian Praxis

• Contemporary Religion Discourse

 

Professional Appointments

 

2013-present: Adjunct Professor, African American Studies, Religious Studies

University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina

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2013-2020: Full Professor, Religion and Theology

Benedict College, Columbia, South Carolina

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2005-2013: Associate Professor, Religion and Theology

Benedict College, Columbia, South Carolina

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1998-2005: Assistant Professor, Religion and Theology

Benedict College, Columbia, South Carolina

 

Publications

 

Books

Forever in thy Path: The God of Black Liberation.

New York: Orbis Books, 2022.

 

Divine Revelation and Human Liberation.

Lanham, Maryland: Lexington Books/Fortress Academic Press, 2018.

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White Religion and Black Humanity.

Lanham, Maryland: University Press of America, 2012.

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Black Theology and Ideology: Deideological Dimensions in the Theology of James H. Cone.

Collegeville, Minnesota: The Liturgical Press, 2002.

           

Articles

From Ideology to Theology: Toward a More Liberating Doctrine of Revelation

Antonia Michelle Daymond, Frederick Ware and Eric Lewis Williams, eds., T&T

Clark Handbook of African American Theology, 2019

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God’s Unkindly Kindliness: What in This World is a Nigger Heaven?

Compilation Contributor, Testamentum Imperium (Forthcoming)

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In God (and Sarah) We Trust: An Analysis of Delores S. Williams’ Critique of Black Theology’s Biblical Hermeneutics

Journal of Intercultural Disciplines, Volume VIII, Winter 2010

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Between Racism and Obscurity: The Black Theologian in the Twenty-First Century Black Theology: An International Journal, Volume 6, Number 1, January, 2008

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The African American Spirituals: Holistic Theologizing, Holistic Internalization

(Anthology entry: publication date not yet released)

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When the Theme Itself Won’t Do: The Quest for a More Liberating Sustainability

International Journal of Environmental, Cultural, Economic, and Social

Sustainability, Volume 1, Number 4, 2005/2006

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On the Prospects a Functional Religious Pluralism in a Neo-Reified Era

(Anthology entry: publication date not yet released)

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Looking Forward Backwards: The Future of Black Theology

(Anthology entry: publication date not yet released)

 

Pamphlets          

Don’t Shout Too Soon: When Should We Celebrate (Emancipation)? w/Professor O’Neal Smalls, University of South Carolina Law School

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina: Freewoods Foundation, 2006. (Reprint, 2017)

 

Reviews

Manning Marable, Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention. New York: Penguin Press, 2011

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Black Theology: An International Journal, Volume 3, Number 10 (2012)

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The Black Church: Social Reform and Sexual Health. Social Work & Christianity, March, 2014

 

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Future Research/Writing Projects - Tentative Titles

 

Books

Jesus Christ and Human Freedom

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Is This America: The Struggle for Freedom in a “Free” Country

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The Spirit Upon Me: Select Sermons

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On Earth as it is in Heaven: A Commentary on Our Lord’s Prayer

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Wheat and Chaff: The History and Future of Theology

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Ten Days to God (Novel)

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If God Be with Us: A Postmodern Liberation Theodicy

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What Shall I Render: A Systematic Theology for the Third Millennium

     

Theology and Race in America: A History (Multi-Volume Work)

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The Musings of a Disgruntled Theologian

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Why the World Killed God

 

Articles

Liberation Theology Needed Now More Than Ever

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Pious and Racist: The God of Christian Orthodoxy

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The Historical Problem of Race and the Theological Problem of God

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Liberation Theologies as the New Reformation

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Black Religion: Passivity and Radicalism in Dialectical Conflict

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Karl Marx’s Opiate: Reflections on an Idealist Revolutionary

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Contextualizing Juan Luis Segundo’s Hermeneutics of Suspicion: A Prolegomena                

to Any Future Theology of Liberation

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The Doctrine of Christian Superiority Reconsidered: The Quest for an Egalitarian

Approach to the Religions of the World

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Eschatological Dimensions in Toni Morrison’s Paradise

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African Cultural “Survivalisms” and Black Theology: Siblings or Distant Cousins

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Filled Yet Hungry: The Spritualizing of Racism

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Choose This Day: The War of the Gods

 

Public Lectures/Invited Talks

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Television Broadcast (Virtual), Critical Race Theory: What is it? Why do so many people oppose it?

OnPoint w/Cynthia Hardy, WACH Fox-57, Columbia, South Carolina,  February 13, 2022

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Radio Broadcast (Virtual), Critical Race Theory: What is it and Why is it Under Attack?

OnPoint w\Cynthia Hardy, 101.3 FM, Columbia, South Carolina, February 6, 2022

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Interview (Virtual), Black Women and the Black Church

A Gathering Place w/Marilyn Hemingway. The Gullah Geechee Chamber of

Commerce, Georgetown, South Carolina, January 30, 2022

 

Panel, Documentary, Our Faith Stories: from the Slave Master’s Church Balcony

Mid-Winter Meeting, South Carolina Baptist Education and Missionary (E&M)

Convention, Royal Baptist Church, Charleston, South Carolina, January 3, 2022

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Interview for documentary, Our Faith Stories: from the Slave Master’s Church Balcony

Zion Baptist Church, Columbia, South Carolina, December 6, 2021

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Interview (Virtual), African American Theology, Part II

A Gathering Place w/Marilyn Hemingway. The Gullah Geechee Chamber of

Commerce, Georgetown, South Carolina, September 26, 2021

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Interview (Virtual), African American Theology, Part I

A Gathering Place w/Marilyn Hemingway. The Gullah Geechee Chamber of

Commerce, Georgetown, South Carolina, August 22, 2021

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Panel (Zoom): The Uproar Behind The 1619 Project and Critical Race Theory

OnPoint w/Cynthia Hardy, 101.3 FM, Columbia, South Carolina, July 11, 2021

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Panel (Zoom): Why Has There Been So Much Resistance to Hate Crimes Legislation for Black People?

OnPoint w/Cynthia Hardy, 101.3 FM, Columbia, South Carolina, May 23, 2021

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Webinar: Understanding The Impact of Systemic Racism on Black Families

Lutheran Family Services in America National Conference, April 16, 2021

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Three–Part Lecture Series: Christianity and Race

Journey Church, Columbia, South Carolina, March 4, 11, and 25, 2021

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Lecture (Zoom):  Why Black Lives Mater, Why Black Families Matter

Lutheran Family Services of the Carolinas, December 15, 2020

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Interview (Zoom): Rock in a Weary Land: The Black Church, Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

Drumbeat Television Program, w/Bhakti Larry Hough, November 11, 2020

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Interview (Zoom): Harry Singleton Discusses Divine Revelation and Human Liberation

I’m Just Saying (IJS) w/Andre Barnes II, Facebook Live, September 3, 2020

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Panel (Zoom): Fiery Forum Fridays Presents Race and Reparations

Vision Walkers of Greater Columbia, South Carolina, July 17, 2020

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Interview (Zoom): My Theological Journey

Graduate Theological Union Alumni Spotlight, July 14, 2020

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Panel (Zoom): Why is it so Hard to be Black in America? The Aftermath of the Ahmaud Arbery Killing.

OnPoint with Cynthia Hardy, 101.3 FM Columbia, South Carolina, May 17, 2020

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Lecture: Black History’s Place in American History

Lutheran Family Services of South Carolina

Reformation Lutheran Church, Columbia, South Carolina, February 20, 2020

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Lecture: Black Theology and the Black Church

Valdosta State University, Valdosta, Georgia, February 7, 2020

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Presentation: God, Politics, and Black Protest

Address to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People

Lancaster, South Carolina, November 9, 2019

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Interview (Podcast): What is the Function of a Theologian?

The Board of Directors, September 9, 2019

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Lecture: Black Theology and Redemption

Payne Theological Seminary, Wilberforce, Ohio, August 22, 2019

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Lecture: Black Theology and Salvation

Payne Theological Seminary, Wilberforce, Ohio, August 21, 2019

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Interview (Zoom): Social Justice and the Gospel

OnPoint with Cynthia Hardy, 101.3 FM, August 4, 2019

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Interview (Radio): Are We On Our Way to A Race War

OnPoint with Cynthia Hardy, 101.3 FM, July 28, 2019

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Panel: Understanding and Healing from the Effects of Racism

Kemetic Institute for Health and Human Development’s Health and Fitness Expo

Brookland Baptist Church, Columbia, South Carolina, June 18, 2018

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Panel: End Racism Day

South Carolina Human Affairs Commission/Greater Columbia (SC) Community Relations Council

Columbia Chamber of Commerce, Columbia, South Carolina, March 21, 2018

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Lecture: A Biblical and Theological Framework for Urban Ministry

Lutheran Theological Seminary, Columbia, South Carolina, January 3, 2018

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Presentation: Karl Marx: The Greatest Nineteenth Century Theologian That Never Was

Loblolly Literary Society of Columbia, South Carolina, October 3, 2017

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Lecture: A Biblical and Theological Framework for Urban Ministry

Lutheran Theological Seminary, Columbia, South Carolina, January 4, 2017

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Lecture: The Social and Civic Responsibility of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU’s)

Carolina’s Alliance for Success in Education (CASE) Third Annual Summit

Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte, North Carolina, December 2, 2016

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Panel: African Spirituality in an Anti-African Reality

Kemetic Institute for Health and Human Development’s Health and Fitness Expo

Brookland Baptist Church, Columbia, South Carolina, June 18, 2016

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Panel: Religion, Spirituality and Wellness

Kemetic Institute for Health and Human Development’s Health and Fitness Expo

Brookland Baptist Church, Columbia, South Carolina, August 25, 2012

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Lecture: The King James Version of the Bible and Martin Luther King, Jr.

Manifold Greatness: The Creation and Afterlife of the King James Bible

Sumter County Public Library, Sumter, South Carolina, July 24, 2012

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Panel: The King James Version of the Bible Turns Four Hundred: Past and Present Challenges

Manifold Greatness: The Creation and Afterlife of the King James Bible

Sumter County Public Library, Sumter, South Carolina, July 13, 2012

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Lecture: One Nation under Two Gods: America’s Continuing Theological Dilemma

Race, Gender, & Sexuality Research Forum and Symposium

National Association of African American Studies

Swan and Dolphin Hotel, Orlando, Florida, June 29, 2012

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Lecture: African American Religion, Christian Faith, and the Civil Rights Movement

African Americans in the South: Traditions and Contemporary Challenges Conference

University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, September 21, 2011

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Panel: Spirituality and Human Wellness

Kemetic Institute for Health and Human Development’s Health and Fitness Expo

Brookland Baptist Church, Columbia, South Carolina, August 27, 2011

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Panel: The Activism of Black Theologians: Scholarship, Pedagogy, Institution, and

Society, The American Academy of Religion Annual Meeting, Atlanta, Georgia

October 31, 2010

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Lecture: Religion and the United States Constitution: Moving Beyond Its Theoretical

Ironies and Pragmatic Contradictions

United States Constitution Day Observances, Benedict College

Columbia, South Carolina, September 18, 2007

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Lecture: In God (and Sarah) We Trust: An Analysis of Delores S. Williams’ ‘Wilderness

Experience’ Biblical Hermeneutics

National Association of African American Studies Annual Meeting

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, February, 2007

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Lecture: Religion, the Legacy of Rosa Parks and Their Challenge to the Neo-Confederate

Worldview, NAACP National Religious Leadership Summit

Houston, Texas, November, 2005

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Reflections on the African American Spirituals: Celebration and Ambiguity

Spirituals Rising Symposium, Benedict College

Columbia, South Carolina, April, 2005

             

When the Theme Itself Won’t Do: Moving Beyond a Culture of Sustainability

Social, Economic, Cultural, and Environmental Sustainability Conference

Honolulu, Hawaii, February, 2005

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Lecture: My Theological Journey to Black Theology and Ideology

Brown Bag Lunch Series

Benedict College, Columbia, South Carolina, April, 2004

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The Double-Talk of American Religious Diversity

NAACP National Religious Leadership Summit

Atlanta, Georgia, November, 2003

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On the Prospects of a Functional Religious Pluralism in a Neo-Reified Era

Biannual Conference of the International Society for Universal Dialogue

Ancient Olympia, Greece, May, 2003

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New Authors Panel: The Writing of Black Theology and Ideology

Annual Conference of the Society for the Study of Black Religion (SSBR)   

Washington, DC, March, 2003

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Public Lecture: The Shortcomings and Promises of African American Spirituality

Columbia College, Columbia, South Carolina, November, 2001

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Panel Discussion: The Confederate Battle Flag and National Sovereignty

The African American Heritage Celebration, Benedict College

Columbia, South Carolina, April, 2000

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What was/is the Relationship between Christianity and Black Oppression?

Benedict College, Columbia, South Carolina, October, 1999

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Scholarly Response to Address of South Carolina State Representative Joseph Neal

Benedict College, Columbia, South Carolina, April, 1999

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Lecture: Sources for a Constructive Black Theology

The American Baptist Seminary of the West, Berkeley, California, April, 1998

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The Life and Thought of James H. Cone

The Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, California, March, 1998

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Psychotherapy and Spirituality

The University of Wisconsin-Stout, Menomonie, Wisconsin, Spring, 1997

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The History of Black Theological Thought

The Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, California, September, 1996

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Responses of Theology to the Philosophy of the Enlightenment

The American Baptist Seminary of the West, Berkeley, California, Spring, 1996

 

Academic Honors and Awards

 

• Who’s Who Among American Teachers, 2003-04, 2004-05

• The Graduate Theological Union Newhall Fellowship, 1995-96

• The Graduate Theological Union Presidential Scholarship, 1994-95

• The United Negro College Fund Margaret and Martin Low Scholarship, 1993

• The International Honor Society of Theta Phi, Inducted in 1992

• The National Dean’s List, 1990-92

 

Institutional Positions and Committees

           

University of South Carolina President’s Commission on University History, 2020-21

 

Benedict College Board of Trustees, Faculty/Staff Representative, 2006-2017

 

Area Coordinator, Religion/Philosophy Division, 2000-2014

 

Member, Benedict College School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (HASS)

Tenure and Promotions Committee, 2005-06, 2011-12, 2015-16

 

Member, Benedict College Judiciary Committee, 2004-05

 

Member, Institutional Purpose Committee, 1999-2000

 

Member, Religious Life Committee, 1999-present

 

Member, Black History Commemoration Committee, 1999-present

 

Member, Literary Awards Committee, 1998-present

 

Courses Developed - Benedict College

 

Black Theology

This course surveys the origins and developments leading to the emergence of Black Theology as a formal theological school, an analysis of its key tenets, its “generations” of advocates and its most prominent critics.

           

Philosophy of Religion

This course exposes the student to the historical challenges posed by reason to religious belief systems. In particular, the relationship between faith and reason is explored in regard to religious experience, divine attributes, theistic arguments, miracles, life after death, and the “problem” of evil.

           

African American Religious History

This course examines the religious history of African Americans from their pre-colonial African roots to the contemporary setting. Primary emphasis is given to the “invisible” religion of slaves in their quest for freedom and the challenges presented to that quest by the “deradicalizing” commitments of slaveholding theology.

           

Principles of Christian Theology

This course introduces the student to the nature, purpose, aims, and content of Christian theological reflection. Sources, methodologies, doctrines and major figures are examined for the purpose of exposing the student to both the varied theological challenges presented to Christianity historically and to the contextual nature of theological reflection.  

 

The Religious Thought of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X

This course surveys the life and religious thought of arguably America’s two most influential black leaders. Emphasis is placed on the formative factors that shaped their theological perspectives and more particularly their understanding of the role religion plays in effectuating human liberation.

           

Readings in Religion  

In this doctoral seminar-style course two classic works in religion, broadly conceived, are selected and given a thorough reading for the purpose of honing the pre-graduate student’s reading comprehension and analytical skills.

 

Courses Taught – Benedict College

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• Comparative Religion (1998-2020)

• Public Worship (1999-2001)

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Courses Taught - University of South Carolina

           

• Introduction to African American Studies: Social and Historical Foundations, (Fall 2013 – Fall 2021)

• Introduction to African American Studies: Arts and Cultural Foundations,  (Fall, 2014)

• Religions of the African Diaspora (Spring, 2018; Fall 2021)

• Martin and Malcolm: Religion and Human Liberation (Spring 2020)

• Social Justice and Religion (Spring 2022)

 

Professional Organization Memberships

 

• The Loblolly Society of Columbia, South Carolina

• The American Academy of Religion (AAR)

• The Society for the Study of Black Religion (SSBR)

• The National Association of African American Studies (NAAAS)

 

Service Organization Memberships

           

The American Association of University Professors (AAUP)

• Executive Committee, South Carolina State Conference, 2011-2013

• President, South Carolina State Conference, 2009-2011

• Vice President, Benedict College Chapter, 2007-2010

• Treasurer, Benedict College Chapter, 2004-2007

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The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)

• Lifetime Member

• Delegate to National Conventions, 1987, 1990-92, 1994-95, 1999-2004, 2006

• Liaison to the National Religious Affairs Department, 2001-2006

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Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated (Zeta Epsilon Initiate, 1986)

• Risk Management Chairman, Columbia, South Carolina Alumni Chapter

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