J deotis roberts biography examples

American pioneer of black theology (1927–2022)

James Deotis Roberts (July 12, 1927 – July 26, 2022) was an American theologian, and a pioneering figure in the black theology movement.

Biography

Born in Spindale, Roberts earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Johnson C. Smith University, a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Shaw University, and a Master of Sacred Theology degree from Hartford Seminary.^[1] In 1957, he became the first African American to earn a PhD from New College, University of Edinburgh, in philosophical theology.^[2] Later in 1994, he was awarded an honorary DLitt, also from the University of Edinburgh.^[3]

He taught at Howard University's School of Religion (1958–1980), served as president of the Interdenominational Theological Center from 1980 to 1983,^[1] and became Distinguished Professor of Philosophical Theology at Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary, serving there until 1998, af