The Black Church
First Great Awakening
Atlantic Slave Trade
Freedom Faith
Slavery
Rich Cultured Heritage
Morgan Godwyn
African Americans adopted and adapted Christianity
Provided something nurturing along with hope and worthiness
Idea of a "freedom faith" came from the bible especially from the book of Exodus due to it discussing the Hebrew slaves claiming their freedom
Argued slaves were human enough to convert but, never argued they were human enough to be freed.
18th - 19th century
Created the path for an explosion of a new black denomination transcending race, gender, and geography marking a new chapter for the black church.
Radically changed the form and function of the black church like a form of "Exodus" (like in the bible with Moses)
The concept of whiteness and white supremacy became the new way to justify enslavement
Some pro-slavery people even withheld key passages of the bible so that slaves wouldn't be infected by the liberating messages (Slave Bible)
South Carolina Negro Act of 1740s made it illegal to write and assemble and outlawed keeping or loud playing of horns or drums
Parts of the New Testament challenging imperial power and social hierarchy were ignored and forgiveness, obedience, and piety formed the heart of the slave master's message to the enslaved
Music was a big influencer and helped with the enslaved to express themselves
African Americans
Used the Black church as a frame of references and cognitive schemes to make sense of the world
Black church epicenter of black light
"We had to have some individual and institutional arm in order to preserve our sanity"
Invisible Institution
Sustained African Americans from slavery to present day
Seminal force in shaping African Americans
Used the big black wash pot sometimes to drown out the prayers
The Black church is different from the white churches because black people have adopted and adapted Christianity in a way white people and white churches could never