Thandeka, born 25 March 1946, is an American Unitarian Universalist minister, theologian, and author known for developing Contemporary Affect Theology and for influential writings on emotion, spirituality, and race in modern religious thought.
THANDEKA PROFILE
| Name | Thandeka |
| Real Name | Sue Booker |
| Date Of Birth | 25 March 1946 |
| Age | 79 Years |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Minister, Theologian and Author |
| Religion | Christian |
| Marital Status | N/A |
| Net Worth | N/A |
| Copied From | Contents101.com |
THANDEKA BIOGRAPHY
Thandeka was born Sue Booker on March 25, 1946, in New Jersey, United States. She grew up in a religious and intellectually active household her father was a Baptist minister and seminary professor, while her mother was an artist and teacher. This blend of faith, creativity, and scholarship strongly influenced her later theological and philosophical interests. In 1984, she received the Xhosa name “Thandeka” (meaning beloved or one who is loved by God) from Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Thandeka initially trained as a journalist, studying at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. She later transitioned to religious studies, earning a Master’s degree in the History of Religions from UCLA. She completed her Ph.D. in Philosophy of Religion and Theology at Claremont Graduate University in 1988.
CAREER
Ordained as a Unitarian Universalist minister in 2001, Thandeka is best known for developing Contemporary Affect Theology, a theological framework that emphasizes emotion and affect as the core of spiritual life rather than doctrinal belief alone. She founded Love Beyond Belief, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing this work.
As an academic and public theologian, she has taught and lectured at institutions including Harvard Divinity School, Meadville Lombard Theological School, Williams College, and San Francisco State University. She is also a prolific author, with influential books such as The Embodied Self, Learning to Be White, and Love Beyond Belief, which have shaped conversations in liberal theology, religious studies, and race discourse.
CONTROVERSIES
Thandeka’s work, particularly Learning to Be White: Money, Race and God in America, has generated debate within academic and religious circles. Some critics argue that her framing of racial identity and emotional formation challenges established anti-racism models, while supporters praise the work for introducing a psychological and theological lens to discussions of race.
THANDEKA SOCIAL MEDIA HANDLE
https://share.google/vx8PuevO4naCFqweG
PERSONAL LIFE
Thandeka maintains a relatively private personal life. She is known to balance her roles as a minister, scholar, and writer with spiritual practice and mentoring.
THANDEKA NET WORTH
Thandeka’s net worth is not publicly disclosed.