Black Church History and Theology Part 2 The Religion of the Slave

Black Church History Black Church History and Theology Part 2and Theology Part 2

The Religion of the SlaveThe Religion of the Slave


►Embracing the Gospel did not mean Embracing the Gospel did not mean accepting enslavement as a accepting enslavement as a “Providential Mercy”“Providential Mercy”

► Islam continued to thrive Islam continued to thrive Strict MuslimsStrict Muslims SyncretismSyncretism

►British N. American slavery African British N. American slavery African religion lost its heritagereligion lost its heritage


► The DebateThe Debate A Continuity exist in the slave that meant the A Continuity exist in the slave that meant the

African beliefs in the US was different than in the African beliefs in the US was different than in the CaribbeanCaribbean

► E. Franklin FrazierE. Franklin Frazier African retention in U.S. were negligible African retention in U.S. were negligible Africans stripped of his cultureAfricans stripped of his culture

► Melville J. HerskovitsMelville J. Herskovits African retention in U.S. was apparentAfrican retention in U.S. was apparent Africanisms continue today to define African Africanisms continue today to define African

American Culture in the U.S.American Culture in the U.S.


►Herskovits Disputes 5 MythsHerskovits Disputes 5 Myths 1. The Black man are naturally of childlike 1. The Black man are naturally of childlike

character and adjust easily to the most character and adjust easily to the most unsatisfactory situatinsunsatisfactory situatins

►Sophisticated culture & world viewSophisticated culture & world view►Not content to be solavesNot content to be solaves

2. Only the poorer stock of Africans 2. Only the poorer stock of Africans enslavedenslaved

►Rivals were from royaltyRivals were from royalty►Sold into slaverySold into slavery


► Herskovits Disputes 5 MythsHerskovits Disputes 5 Myths 3. Slave were brought from all parts of the 3. Slave were brought from all parts of the

continent spoke diverse languages and had continent spoke diverse languages and had different customsdifferent customs

► Coastal West AfricaCoastal West Africa► Sudanic and BantuSudanic and Bantu► Unified CultureUnified Culture

4. Culture was so savage and compared to their 4. Culture was so savage and compared to their European conquerorsEuropean conquerors

► Active in the acculturation processActive in the acculturation process► Small size in numbers increased acculturationSmall size in numbers increased acculturation► Traditional acceptance common in religion took over Traditional acceptance common in religion took over

the gods of opponantsthe gods of opponants


►Herskovits Disputes 5 MythsHerskovits Disputes 5 Myths 5, The African is man without a past5, The African is man without a past

►Strong cultural historyStrong cultural history►Contributors to American sceneContributors to American scene


►E. Franklin FrazierE. Franklin Frazier Retention in Latin, South America & Retention in Latin, South America &

CaribbeanCaribbean►Not survive in U.S.Not survive in U.S.►Vacuum filled by ChristianityVacuum filled by Christianity►Deculturation began on the other side of the Deculturation began on the other side of the

AtlanticAtlantic►Males were poor carriers of cultureMales were poor carriers of culture►The Process of SeasoningThe Process of Seasoning►Mobility restrictedMobility restricted►African Memories forgottenAfrican Memories forgotten


►Herskovits versus FrazierHerskovits versus Frazier Frazier asserts flimsy evidence Frazier asserts flimsy evidence Scientific groundsScientific grounds Baptist related to water cultsBaptist related to water cults Magic and folk loreMagic and folk lore Historical continuityHistorical continuity Survival of African cultureSurvival of African culture Separatist and IntegrationistSeparatist and Integrationist

Slave Owners in Cognitive DissonanceSlave Owners in Cognitive Dissonance

The Religion of the The Religion of the Slave OwnerSlave Owner

ConversionConversion

►From the beginning of the Atlantic From the beginning of the Atlantic slave trade conversion considered as slave trade conversion considered as justification for slaveryjustification for slavery

►England, Spain, Portugal, The England, Spain, Portugal, The Netherlands, and France; missionary Netherlands, and France; missionary zeal, colonization and Christianizing zeal, colonization and Christianizing slaves and Indiansslaves and Indians

How could the Slave How could the Slave owners be true to owners be true to

their faith and justify their faith and justify their actions?their actions?


►Reasons for refusal by English plantersReasons for refusal by English planters Baptism made it necessary to free slavesBaptism made it necessary to free slaves Preaching to slave ran counter to the Preaching to slave ran counter to the

economic interest of the Christian slave economic interest of the Christian slave owner. Time, leisure, days idle.owner. Time, leisure, days idle.

Slave where to brutish to be instructed. Slave where to brutish to be instructed. Overcoming linguistic challengesOvercoming linguistic challenges

The Slave owners The Slave owners reached a cognitive reached a cognitive dissonance between dissonance between

their belief in God and their belief in God and their actions in slavery.their actions in slavery.


Racial distinctions; blacks were creatures Racial distinctions; blacks were creatures of another species versus missionary of another species versus missionary claim that blacks equal to whites in the claim that blacks equal to whites in the sight of God.sight of God.

Christian slaves presented egalitarianism; Christian slaves presented egalitarianism; slaves would claim fellowship that would slaves would claim fellowship that would threaten the master-slave hierarchythreaten the master-slave hierarchy

I. Biblical I. Biblical Justification?Justification?

1.1.ScriptureScripture2.2. The GospelThe Gospel

3.3. Belief in Belief in JudgmentJudgment

Eph 6:5-9Eph 6:5-9

55 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.

66 Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.

77 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men,Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men,

88 because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.

99 And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.

(NIV)(NIV)

The Christian Directory of the English PuritanThe Christian Directory of the English Puritan

““Make it your chief end Make it your chief end in buying and using in buying and using

slaves to win them to slaves to win them to Christ and save their Christ and save their

souls.”souls.”Richard BaxterRichard Baxter

II. Christian II. Christian CatechesisCatechesis

…”…”The best and most effectual The best and most effectual method then of delivering these method then of delivering these poor Creatures out of darkness poor Creatures out of darkness and to make them partakers of and to make them partakers of light …is to ..instruct them in light …is to ..instruct them in

the Fundamental Truths of the Fundamental Truths of Christianity.”Christianity.”

Rev. ZouberbuhlerRev. Zouberbuhler

III. Fear of III. Fear of ConversionConversion

““They knew that instinctively They knew that instinctively that any attempt to educate or that any attempt to educate or

indoctrinate their workers indoctrinate their workers would in the long run change would in the long run change

the precarious relationship the precarious relationship between master and slavebetween master and slave “ “

WilmoreWilmore

IV. Gospel of IV. Gospel of FreedomFreedom

““Missionaries in the field Missionaries in the field complained that the complained that the “Wicked life of the “Wicked life of the

Christians” was an obstacle Christians” was an obstacle impeding the conversion of impeding the conversion of

AfricansAfricans .” Raboteau .” Raboteau

The Black Church Freedom The Black Church Freedom MovementMovement

► Black Religion and InsurrectionBlack Religion and Insurrection► Henry Garret & Henry Turner along with the Henry Garret & Henry Turner along with the

radical abolitionist made America Aware of radical abolitionist made America Aware of malcontent slaverymalcontent slavery Information Suppressed; fear of uprisingsInformation Suppressed; fear of uprisings No Fervor among free Blacks; lynchingNo Fervor among free Blacks; lynching Insurrections underplayed; Over 250 known Insurrections underplayed; Over 250 known

occurred occurred Motivated by Christianity, Baptist, Quaker and Motivated by Christianity, Baptist, Quaker and

Methodist missionaries stirred up a legacy secret Methodist missionaries stirred up a legacy secret rebellionrebellion


►Alexander Young's Ethiopian ManifestoAlexander Young's Ethiopian Manifesto►David Walker Appeal to Coloured David Walker Appeal to Coloured

Citizens of the WorldCitizens of the World►Pre Civil War InsurrectionsPre Civil War Insurrections


►Several events in the middle 1800's Several events in the middle 1800's showed how unhappy slaves were. showed how unhappy slaves were. Two famous slaves who decided to Two famous slaves who decided to fight their masters were Denmark fight their masters were Denmark Vesey and Nat Turner. A third was a Vesey and Nat Turner. A third was a slave Named Gabrielslave Named Gabriel


►Gabriel The Black SamsonGabriel The Black Samson Judges 15:14-15, 20Judges 15:14-15, 20


►The Methodist ConspiratorThe Methodist Conspirator►Denmark Vesey planned a major slave Denmark Vesey planned a major slave

rebellion near Charleston, South rebellion near Charleston, South Carolina in 1822. This plan was Carolina in 1822. This plan was discovered and the slave owners discovered and the slave owners stopped the rebellion.stopped the rebellion.


►Baptist Prophet of RebellionBaptist Prophet of Rebellion►Nat Turner's rebellion in 1831 turned Nat Turner's rebellion in 1831 turned

out differently. Over 100 blacks and 60 out differently. Over 100 blacks and 60 whites were killed in the rebellion. whites were killed in the rebellion. Turner hid for six weeks after the Turner hid for six weeks after the uprising. He was eventually tracked uprising. He was eventually tracked down by dogs. Turner was tried and down by dogs. Turner was tried and found guilty. He was then hanged. found guilty. He was then hanged.

►Rebellions Rebellions worried slave worried slave owners. In 1790 a owners. In 1790 a good field hand good field hand was worth about was worth about $300. In 1869 $300. In 1869 they were worth they were worth $2000. Guards $2000. Guards rode the roads in rode the roads in the South each the South each night looking for night looking for runaway slaves.runaway slaves.

The Need for RevelationThe Need for Revelation

Proverbs 29:18 Proverbs 29:18

““Where there is no vision, the people Where there is no vision, the people perish.”perish.”

Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines vision as:Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines vision as:

““a revelation from God”a revelation from God”

It can be stated as It can be stated as “The Prophetic Voice”“The Prophetic Voice”


►Beginnings of the Black Freedom Beginnings of the Black Freedom MovementMovement Revolutionary War 1Revolutionary War 1stst black freedom black freedom

movement 1770’s 100yrs form movement 1770’s 100yrs form emancipationemancipation


►Richard Allen and the Free African Richard Allen and the Free African SocietySociety

►The AME and AME Zion ChurchesThe AME and AME Zion Churches►The Presbyterians and EpiscopaliansThe Presbyterians and Episcopalians►Black Churches and the Antebellum Black Churches and the Antebellum

Freedom MovementFreedom Movement

The Black Church Freedom The Black Church Freedom Movement Movement Wilmore pg.99-101Wilmore pg.99-101

►Some FactsSome Facts From 1750 to 1861 there were more black From 1750 to 1861 there were more black

and white Christians worshiping in the same and white Christians worshiping in the same congregations, proportionate to their congregations, proportionate to their numbers as baptized Christians, than there numbers as baptized Christians, than there are today.are today.

White preachers officiated most early black White preachers officiated most early black congregations. Black preachers were warned congregations. Black preachers were warned that they had a sacred trust from the white that they had a sacred trust from the white community. community.


►The black minister, not naïve, and The black minister, not naïve, and very intelligent, knew how to very intelligent, knew how to maintain deportment and discipline.maintain deportment and discipline.

►Active politiciansActive politicians►Political influencePolitical influence►Natural leaders of the raceNatural leaders of the race►Energy and decision of characterEnergy and decision of character►The pulpit a rostrumThe pulpit a rostrum►His political harangues have a religious echoHis political harangues have a religious echo


► Independent Black CongregationsIndependent Black Congregations It was a necessity for consolation, unity, It was a necessity for consolation, unity,

and mutual assistanceand mutual assistance

► In the SouthIn the South Andrew Bryan—pioneer black preacher Andrew Bryan—pioneer black preacher

in GAin GA George Liele—organized first black George Liele—organized first black

Baptist congregation in the CaribbeanBaptist congregation in the Caribbean

► In the NorthIn the North

Black Religion and Black Black Religion and Black NationalismNationalism

►The American Colonization SocietyThe American Colonization Society►Martin R. DelanyMartin R. Delany►Alexander CrummellAlexander Crummell►Edward W. BlydenEdward W. Blyden►Henry M. TurnerHenry M. Turner►The Hamitic HypothesisThe Hamitic Hypothesis►Resistance to White Rule in AfricaResistance to White Rule in Africa

Prophetic Voices Post SlaveryProphetic Voices Post Slavery “The Straw Taken Away” “The Straw Taken Away”

Martin Delaney (1800’s) – Back to AfricaMartin Delaney (1800’s) – Back to Africa

“ “ A spiritual blessing is to be prayed for, a moral A spiritual blessing is to be prayed for, a moral good sought by exercising one’s sense of good sought by exercising one’s sense of justice, and a physical end requires the use of justice, and a physical end requires the use of might and muscle.” Wilmore, 137.might and muscle.” Wilmore, 137.


Alexander Crummell (1800’s) – Back to AfricaAlexander Crummell (1800’s) – Back to Africa

““Christianity for Crummell was a religion for the Christianity for Crummell was a religion for the tough minded, enterprising persons who tough minded, enterprising persons who developed their natural energies, skills, and developed their natural energies, skills, and “worldly talent” to serve their own needs first, “worldly talent” to serve their own needs first, precisely because only so God, who had brought precisely because only so God, who had brought them out of bondage for that purpose, use them to them out of bondage for that purpose, use them to serve the needs of others.” Wilmore, 141.serve the needs of others.” Wilmore, 141.


Henry Turner (1800’s) – Back to AfricaHenry Turner (1800’s) – Back to Africa► Back to AfricaBack to Africa► Reparations for injustice of slaveryReparations for injustice of slavery► God is BlackGod is Black

““. . . as long as we remain among whites the Negro . . . as long as we remain among whites the Negro will believe that the devil is black and that he (the will believe that the devil is black and that he (the Negro) favors the devil, and that God is white and Negro) favors the devil, and that God is white and that he (the Negro) bears no resemblance to that he (the Negro) bears no resemblance to Him . . .” Wilmore, 152.Him . . .” Wilmore, 152.

Prophetic Voices during SlaveryProphetic Voices during Slavery “The Years of Bondage” “The Years of Bondage”

Robert Alexander Young – “Ethiopian Manifesto” (1829)Robert Alexander Young – “Ethiopian Manifesto” (1829)

► Self ResponsibilitySelf Responsibility► Analogy to OT ExodusAnalogy to OT Exodus► Vision of coming Black MessiahVision of coming Black Messiah

David Walker – “Appeal to the Colored Citizens of the World” David Walker – “Appeal to the Colored Citizens of the World” (1829)(1829)

► Prophesied Judgment against White Slave HoldersProphesied Judgment against White Slave Holders► Themes of sin and retribution based on biblical view of the justice of Themes of sin and retribution based on biblical view of the justice of

God and redemption of human history through the power of loveGod and redemption of human history through the power of love► Summons Blacks to fight in self-defense for freedom and dignity in the Summons Blacks to fight in self-defense for freedom and dignity in the

name of the Lord of hosts.name of the Lord of hosts.► Theme of reconciliation based on inevitability that whites will reap Theme of reconciliation based on inevitability that whites will reap

what they have sown.what they have sown.

Prophetic Voices during SlaveryProphetic Voices during Slavery “The Years of Bondage” “The Years of Bondage”

Denmark Vesey – Methodist Conspirator (1822 – South Denmark Vesey – Methodist Conspirator (1822 – South Carolina)Carolina)

► Parallels to OT Exodus and Conquest of JerichoParallels to OT Exodus and Conquest of Jericho► Referred to Haiti – Toussaint L’OuvertureReferred to Haiti – Toussaint L’Ouverture► Plotted Insurrection – 3,000 – 9,000 participantsPlotted Insurrection – 3,000 – 9,000 participants► Foiled by internal traitorFoiled by internal traitor► 131 Arrested, 37 Executed131 Arrested, 37 Executed

Nat TurnerNat Turner – – Baptist Prophet of Rebellion (1831 - Virginia)Baptist Prophet of Rebellion (1831 - Virginia)

► Prophetic VisionsProphetic Visions► Saw Jesus coming with the swordSaw Jesus coming with the sword► Implemented the bloodiest salve insurrection in American Implemented the bloodiest salve insurrection in American

HistoryHistory► 57 Whites Killed57 Whites Killed► 53 Blacks arrested, 21 acquitted, 12 transferred out of State, 20 53 Blacks arrested, 21 acquitted, 12 transferred out of State, 20

HangedHanged

The Deradicalization of theThe Deradicalization of the Black Church Black Church

►Decline of Bishop Turner’s InfluenceDecline of Bishop Turner’s Influence►Deterioration of Race RelationsDeterioration of Race Relations►Marcus GarveyMarcus Garvey►Black PentecostalismBlack Pentecostalism►The Church of GodThe Church of God►The Moorish Science TemplesThe Moorish Science Temples►Retreat of the Mainstream ChurchesRetreat of the Mainstream Churches

The Dechristianization of Black The Dechristianization of Black RadicalismRadicalism

►Black RadicalismBlack Radicalism►Dechristianization and Dechristianization and

RechristianizationRechristianization►The Black Power MovementThe Black Power Movement

Black Power, Black People, and Black Power, Black People, and Theological RenewalTheological Renewal

►A Critical Turning Point: September A Critical Turning Point: September 19671967

►The Black ManifestoThe Black Manifesto►Black TheologyBlack Theology

Survival, Elevation, and Survival, Elevation, and Liberation in Black ReligionLiberation in Black Religion

►The African American ExperienceThe African American Experience►The Survival TraditionThe Survival Tradition►The Elevation TraditionThe Elevation Tradition►The Liberation TraditionThe Liberation Tradition► Interrelationships Between the Three Interrelationships Between the Three

TraditionsTraditions

Survival, Elevation, and LiberationSurvival, Elevation, and Liberationin Black Religionin Black Religion

► The Three Basic AssertionsThe Three Basic Assertions1.1. Within American culture as a whole there was and Within American culture as a whole there was and

continues to be a complex and distinctive continues to be a complex and distinctive subculture that may be designated black or subculture that may be designated black or African AmericanAfrican American

2.2. Despite sociological heterogeneity, with respect to Despite sociological heterogeneity, with respect to such secular factors as regional differences, such secular factors as regional differences, education, gender, and socioeconomic education, gender, and socioeconomic background, religion has been and continues to be background, religion has been and continues to be an essential thread interweaving the fabric of an essential thread interweaving the fabric of black cultureblack culture

3.3. Religiousness, oscillating between conservatism Religiousness, oscillating between conservatism and radicalism, has been and continues to be a and radicalism, has been and continues to be a persistent characteristic of black life in the United persistent characteristic of black life in the United States, Africa, South America, and the Caribbean—States, Africa, South America, and the Caribbean—wherever the animating spirits of Africa have wherever the animating spirits of Africa have touched the quick of the human hearttouched the quick of the human heart

The African American ExperienceThe African American Experience

Beyond mere survival, as leaders and Beyond mere survival, as leaders and followers became more sophisticated about followers became more sophisticated about how to make the most of their religion, it has how to make the most of their religion, it has helped them liberate themselves…helped them liberate themselves…

1.1.from chattel slaveryfrom chattel slavery2.2.from ignorance and degradationfrom ignorance and degradation3.3.from civil inequality and subordinationfrom civil inequality and subordination

……to go on to greater heights of personal to go on to greater heights of personal and group achievement.and group achievement.

The African American The African American ExperienceExperience

► African American religion has not always African American religion has not always functioned for the advancement of the functioned for the advancement of the massesmasses

► Even the most skeptical observers of the Even the most skeptical observers of the black religious experience in America black religious experience in America cannot deny that religion and its ancillary cannot deny that religion and its ancillary institutions have served the people institutions have served the people positivelypositively

► The race survived because of the churchThe race survived because of the church

The African American The African American ExperienceExperience

► PaternalismPaternalism never really worked as it was never really worked as it was supposed tosupposed to

► Economic value was realistically calculated Economic value was realistically calculated and made secure by the imposition of and made secure by the imposition of discipline and the monopoly of violent discipline and the monopoly of violent power in the hands of the masterspower in the hands of the masters

► The slave had no claim to the master’s The slave had no claim to the master’s wealth, as a son or daughter wouldwealth, as a son or daughter would

The Survival TraditionThe Survival Tradition

►The slave’s obsession was The slave’s obsession was somehow “to make it”somehow “to make it”

►Survival became the regulative, Survival became the regulative, moment-to-moment principle of moment-to-moment principle of the slave community, particularly the slave community, particularly among field handsamong field hands

The Survival TraditionThe Survival Tradition

► In their quarters after sundown and on Sundays In their quarters after sundown and on Sundays and holidays, slaves pieced together the tattered and holidays, slaves pieced together the tattered remnants of their African past and new patterns remnants of their African past and new patterns of response to the American environmentof response to the American environment

1.1. They selectively chose attitudes of disbeliefThey selectively chose attitudes of disbelief

2.2. They chose codes of dissimulation and They chose codes of dissimulation and subterfugesubterfuge

3.3. They chose structures of meaningThey chose structures of meaning

The Survival TraditionThe Survival Tradition• View of reality and coping skills that would make human

survival possible under the conditions of their enslavement

• Into this strategy of survival they invoked the protecting spirits of the gods of Africa, or in time, the new God of Christianity

• From the beginning, certain men and women who possessed power for both good and evel, skilled in sorcery and divination, exercised extraordinary influence over the slaves

• They occasionally appear as the first recognized leaders of the community

• What was left of the old African religions was transplanted and integrated into the new culture of enslavement

The Elevation TraditionThe Elevation Tradition

► Black Songs; SpiritualsBlack Songs; SpiritualsWhat were the slaves trying to say when they What were the slaves trying to say when they mixed OT allusions to Jacob’s ladder and NT mixed OT allusions to Jacob’s ladder and NT allusions to being “soldiers of the Cross”?allusions to being “soldiers of the Cross”? John Lovell; John Lovell; Black Song: The Forge and the Flame (New York:McMillan,1972)Black Song: The Forge and the Flame (New York:McMillan,1972) “The “The

captive black men and women who sang the lines captive black men and women who sang the lines of the spiritual of the spiritual ‘We Are Climbing Jacob’s Ladder’‘We Are Climbing Jacob’s Ladder’ pictured themselves as climbing , one round at a pictured themselves as climbing , one round at a time, out of their misery. Ike many other songs time, out of their misery. Ike many other songs suggest a “moral building function” a suggest a “moral building function” a determination to improve their earthly condition, determination to improve their earthly condition, to encourage individual and group initiative.to encourage individual and group initiative.

The Elevation TraditionThe Elevation Tradition

► Black WomenBlack WomenMost ardent champions of a doctrine of Most ardent champions of a doctrine of elevationelevation Concerned about the stability of the familyConcerned about the stability of the family The education of childrenThe education of children The cultivation of Christian moralityThe cultivation of Christian morality Organized female societies and auxiliaries in male Organized female societies and auxiliaries in male

dominated churches.dominated churches.► Delores Williams(Quality of life tradition) Delores Williams(Quality of life tradition) Sisters in the Wilderness: Sisters in the Wilderness:

The Challenge of Womanist God-talk (Maryknoll, N.Y.: Orbis, 1993)The Challenge of Womanist God-talk (Maryknoll, N.Y.: Orbis, 1993)

The Liberation TraditionThe Liberation Tradition

►The Liberation tradition stands out as The Liberation tradition stands out as the single most important and the single most important and characteristic perspective of black characteristic perspective of black faith from 1800 to the Civil Rights faith from 1800 to the Civil Rights movement.movement.

►From Jamestown ,Va. In 1863 to The From Jamestown ,Va. In 1863 to The Emancipation Proclamation on New Emancipation Proclamation on New Years Day, 1863, the African American Years Day, 1863, the African American consciousness and culture were consciousness and culture were permeated with the idea of freedom.permeated with the idea of freedom.

Interrelationship Between the Interrelationship Between the Three TraditionsThree Traditions

►African Americans in the U.S. and the African Americans in the U.S. and the Caribbean are Christian in a sense that Caribbean are Christian in a sense that is different from what the American is different from what the American public generally understands by the public generally understands by the term. (pg.269)term. (pg.269)

► Incipiency (Pg. 271)Incipiency (Pg. 271)►Coalescence (Pg. 273)Coalescence (Pg. 273)►Fragmentation (Pg. 274)Fragmentation (Pg. 274)

Crossing the Jordan:Crossing the Jordan:The Indictment on the The Indictment on the

Black ChurchBlack Church

A Prophetic Approach to A Prophetic Approach to Understanding the Plight Understanding the Plight of the Black Communityof the Black Community

The Prophetic VoiceThe Prophetic Voice

► Andrew Bryan (1737-1812) -pastored the first African Andrew Bryan (1737-1812) -pastored the first African Baptist Church of Savannah. He was flogged, imprisoned Baptist Church of Savannah. He was flogged, imprisoned and dispossessed of his church. Such efforts to curb the and dispossessed of his church. Such efforts to curb the proclamation of the gospel could only have convinced proclamation of the gospel could only have convinced him that the gospel must be linked to the freedom and him that the gospel must be linked to the freedom and well-being of blacks (wilmore 102).well-being of blacks (wilmore 102).

► Henry M. Turner (1834-1915) AME bishop who held to a Henry M. Turner (1834-1915) AME bishop who held to a theology of black liberation. After the Civil War he won a theology of black liberation. After the Civil War he won a seat to the Georgia State Legislature. seat to the Georgia State Legislature.

► Robert Young’s “Ethiopian Manifesto” in 1829 called for Robert Young’s “Ethiopian Manifesto” in 1829 called for liberation and prophesied judgment for injustices in liberation and prophesied judgment for injustices in America.America.

Response to Prophetic Response to Prophetic DirectionDirection

► Reconstruction Era saw 20 blacks win seats Reconstruction Era saw 20 blacks win seats in the U.S House of Congress, 5 of which in the U.S House of Congress, 5 of which served multiple terms. served multiple terms.

► 2 blacks won seats to the U.S Senate. Since 2 blacks won seats to the U.S Senate. Since that time only 3 blacks have been members that time only 3 blacks have been members of the senate.of the senate.

► The state of Georgia alone saw 69 blacks The state of Georgia alone saw 69 blacks admitted as members either to the admitted as members either to the Constitutional Convention or the state Constitutional Convention or the state legislature.legislature.


► By 1870 the AME Church had established By 1870 the AME Church had established Wilberforce University, a bank and raised $1 Wilberforce University, a bank and raised $1 Million to educate their children.Million to educate their children.

► Atlanta Baptist Female Seminary was Atlanta Baptist Female Seminary was founded in the basement of Friendship founded in the basement of Friendship Baptist in Atlanta. The church self-Baptist in Atlanta. The church self-capitalized to start and maintain the capitalized to start and maintain the university until 3 years later John Rockefeller university until 3 years later John Rockefeller paid the debt on the school. It was renamed paid the debt on the school. It was renamed Spelman in honor of his in-laws, longtime Spelman in honor of his in-laws, longtime activists against slavery.activists against slavery.


►1865- 131865- 13thth Amendment passed Amendment passed outlawing slaveryoutlawing slavery

►1868- 141868- 14thth Amendment passed making Amendment passed making all persons born in the states natural all persons born in the states natural born citizensborn citizens

►1870- 151870- 15thth Amendment was passed Amendment was passed ensuring all citizens the right to voteensuring all citizens the right to vote

The Great CompromiseThe Great Compromise

►The Compromise of 1877- Democrats The Compromise of 1877- Democrats conceded to Rutherford Hayes’ conceded to Rutherford Hayes’ election as president, thus ending the election as president, thus ending the controversy. controversy.

► In Exchange the Republicans agreed to In Exchange the Republicans agreed to stay out of southern affairsstay out of southern affairs

►A people delivered from Egypt were A people delivered from Egypt were apprehended by pharoah and apprehended by pharoah and delivered again into bondagedelivered again into bondage

Silencing the Prophetic VoiceSilencing the Prophetic Voice

► At the turn of the century many black clergy began At the turn of the century many black clergy began to succumb to defeat and emphasize the life to succumb to defeat and emphasize the life beyond. Joseph Washington judges to church to be beyond. Joseph Washington judges to church to be irrelevant (Wilmore 173). irrelevant (Wilmore 173).

► Mobilization against poverty and oppression is Mobilization against poverty and oppression is absent. The church is apathetic, otherworldly or absent. The church is apathetic, otherworldly or only concerned with institutional maintenance only concerned with institutional maintenance (Wilmore 191).(Wilmore 191).

► Many blacks up north who were moving up into the Many blacks up north who were moving up into the middle class competing with whites did not turn middle class competing with whites did not turn around to extend a hand to the newly arriving poor around to extend a hand to the newly arriving poor blacks from the south (wilmore 170)blacks from the south (wilmore 170)

Silencing the Prophetic VoiceSilencing the Prophetic Voice

► While mainline denominations go middle class, While mainline denominations go middle class, other denominations and groups such as the UNIA other denominations and groups such as the UNIA spring up in the black community to fill the void. spring up in the black community to fill the void. The black church is into institution building The black church is into institution building (wilmore (175) (wilmore (175)

► James Cone says: “Theology ceases to be a James Cone says: “Theology ceases to be a theology of the gospel when it fails to come out of theology of the gospel when it fails to come out of the community of the oppressed.” (Liberation, 17)the community of the oppressed.” (Liberation, 17)

► Rudy F. Johnson: Black church movement to middle Rudy F. Johnson: Black church movement to middle class norms and values of dominant society class norms and values of dominant society alienated it from the blacks with whom it began alienated it from the blacks with whom it began (wilmore 195)(wilmore 195)

Realpolitik and Vox PopuliRealpolitik and Vox Populi► Realpolitik- a pragmatic application of any Realpolitik- a pragmatic application of any

technique by which an individual or a group technique by which an individual or a group can maintain or enhance life. It is can maintain or enhance life. It is manipulative, works at the expense of others, manipulative, works at the expense of others, and undermines the essential nature of and undermines the essential nature of revelation.revelation.

► Vox Populi- (“the voice of the people”) is a Vox Populi- (“the voice of the people”) is a form of Realpolitik. Rewards all who support form of Realpolitik. Rewards all who support the common ideals but punishes anyone who the common ideals but punishes anyone who challenges them. Vox Populi shuns the challenges them. Vox Populi shuns the absolute demands of revelation by softening absolute demands of revelation by softening the radical nature of faith in favor of popular the radical nature of faith in favor of popular expectations.expectations.

► James Cone says that oppressors can destroy James Cone says that oppressors can destroy the reveloutionary mood among the the reveloutionary mood among the oppressed by introducing a complacent God oppressed by introducing a complacent God into the community (Liberation, 109)into the community (Liberation, 109)

The Prophetic ReturnsThe Prophetic Returns

► Martin Luther King Jr. emerges as a Martin Luther King Jr. emerges as a prophetic voice from the black church for prophetic voice from the black church for justice to the nationjustice to the nation

► The prophetic voice called the nation to The prophetic voice called the nation to attention and moblized people: Christian attention and moblized people: Christian and non-Christian alikeand non-Christian alike

► King’s non-violent strategy played a crucial King’s non-violent strategy played a crucial role in the passage of the Civil Rights Act in role in the passage of the Civil Rights Act in 1964 and the Voting Rights Act in 1965: 1964 and the Voting Rights Act in 1965: both being changes in both being changes in policypolicy

► Sadly, the church as a whole did not back Sadly, the church as a whole did not back King’s effortsKing’s efforts

What of the What of the

Future?Future?

Documents

Black Church History and Theology Part 2 The Religion of the Slave