My key theological ideas emerge from my body of work at the intersection of liberation theology, Christology, Theological anthropology and ethics, Africana religious thought, postcolonial theory, and Haitian religious history. My theology is deeply ethical, historically grounded, christocentric, and publicly engaged.

Below, I share a breakdown of my core theological concepts:

1. Theology as Liberation and Humanization

First and foremost, I firmly believe that God stands with the oppressed and the poor. My theology is inspired by a varieties of traditions and schools of thought. I am convinced that theology must serve as a tool for human freedom and agency. The primary goal of theology is not abstract speculation but social transformation, rooted in justice, love, human dignity, and ethic of care. When theology is done from that approach, it enhances theological reflections as a way to glorify (doxology) the triune God.

I draw heavily on the lives and works of James Cone, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Karl Barth, Martin Luther King Jr., and Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

“Theological reflection must begin with the lived experience of the oppressed.”

2. Imago Dei and the Ethics of Human Dignity

Every human being bears the image of God (Imago Dei), which makes them inherently valuable. This belief grounds in my rejection of racism, colonialism, and other forms of systemic dehumanization. I argue that theological anthropology must affirm the sacredness of human life, especially the sacred worth of the marginalized peoples and communities.

3. Decolonial Theology

I reject Eurocentric Christianity because of its suppression of African, Caribbean, and non-Western expressions of faith and piety. I argue for a decolonized theology that recovers indigenous and Afro-diasporic religious traditions, including Vodou and other traditions, as valid theological resources. I encourage Christian theologians to deconstruct the colonial roots of Western theology and build systems of thought rooted in human dignity and in their cultural and historical contexts.

4. Religion and Democracy

In a book, I proposed the concept of “democratic religion” as a religious ethos that affirms pluralism, civic virtue, and public justice. I demonstrate how Christianity, Vodou, and secular humanism in Haiti contributed to revolutionary change and civic imagination. My theology blends faith with public ethics and civic engagement, advocating for religious communities to become active in democracy, education, and policy reform.

5. Theologizing in Black

In my book,”Theologizing in Black,” I developed a model of Africana theological ethics that centers Black experience and culture. “Theologizing” means thinking critically and faithfully from the vantage point of those historically excluded, such as the enslaved people, colonized nations, and racialized bodies. My approach integrates African traditional religions, liberation hermeneutics, prophetic Christianity, and Black existentialism.

6. Faith, Memory, and Ancestral Solidarity

In my work, I honor the ancestors, martyrs, and freedom fighters of Haitian and African American history (e.g., Louverture, Dessalines, Firmin, Price-Mars, Cone, King, Morrison, Roumain, Du Bois) as theological agents. I believe memory is not just historical; it’s sacred and moral, and it places a clarion call upon this present generation to accountability and resistance.

7. Prophetic Public Theology

I believe theology belongs in the public square and should challenges oppression, racism, xenophobia, and violence. Theology should promote political justice and fairness, and contribute to a more democratic and humane society. Theologians, pastors, and scholars must be moral witnesses who speak truth to power. I advocate for the engaged church, involved in healing, reconciliation, advocacy, and education, especially in poor and marginalized communities.

Summary Table

Theological Theme

Liberation & Justice

Theology must serve the oppressed and promote social justice.

Imago Dei

All humans reflect God’s image and possess inherent dignity.

Decolonial Theology

Challenges Eurocentrism; centers Afro-Caribbean spiritualities.

Democratic Religion

Religious traditions can nurture democratic ideals and pluralism.

Theologizing in Black

Faithful reasoning from the lived Black experience.

Memory & Ancestry

History and ancestors are sources of theological reflection.

Public Theology

Faith should confront societal injustice and foster change.