The Black Church

First Great Awakening IMG_0792

Atlantic Slave Trade

Freedom Faith IMG_0793

Slavery

Rich Cultured Heritage

Morgan Godwyn IMG_0786

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 IMG_0791

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