We may speak of two stages in Black Theology in South Africa so far. The first was polemic and definitional (introductory), with some passing allusions to method. The second I will call quasi-academic. Because of the lull that has followed the early attempts at Black Theology, I have referred to them as phase I and recommended the embarking on phase II.

The essays in this volume may be regarded as a new beginning in engaging in black theological reflection. They are issued from two conferences organized by the Institute for Contextual Theology through its Black Theology Task Force. Some of the essays take Marxist analysis seriously. In this way they introduce in Black Theology an element which has long characterised Latin American liberation theology.

To the extent that Marxist analysis is introduced and to the extent that there will be progress in black theological reflection once more, we may say that phase II of Black Theology has begun.

From the Introductory by Dr Mokgethi Motlhabi