Stony the Road We Trod: African American Biblical Interpretation

by Cain Hope Felder

A hallmark of American black religion is its distinctive use of the Bible in creating community, resisting oppression, and fomenting social change. What can critical biblical studies learn from the African American experience with the Bible, and vice versa?This singular volume marks the emergence of a critical mass of black biblical scholars. Combining sophisticated exegesis with special sensitivity to issues of race, class, and gender, the authors of this scholarly collection examine the nettling questions of biblical authority, blacks and African in biblical narratives, and the liberating aspects of Scripture. Together they are reshaping and redefining the questions, concerns, and scholarship that determine how the Bible is appropriated by church, academy, and the larger society today.

Genres: Religion, Christian, Theology, African American, Nonfiction, Biblical Studies

272 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 1991

Reviews

[Colin Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well this was certainly as one might of expected, a afrocentric interpretation of Scriptures. From methods' of biblical interprations to hermeneutical dilemmas and race. I certainly gained from the contributions' of authors, such as Charles B. Copher, Randall C. Bailey, Vincent L. Wimbush amongst others, including Cain H. Felder. All who come under a lot of scrutiny from Africanist scholars in this field, whether justifialy or not. Nevertheless, much truth to be had from such works. Despite what Kenneth A. Kithen and others, (such as Edwin M.Yamauchi),has to say, who is more from the old school of thought on such issues. Not withstanding his great depth of knowledge and his authority in this field.

[Keri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in an effort to understand the Bible’s story through the perspective of those who are not White Europeans / Eurocentric. It opened my eyes to the African presence in the Bible, particularly the OT. Egypt, Ethiopia/Cush, and specific people who were assuredly dark skinned.
There is a lot more in the book that I still need to process and it is more of an an academic book but not a difficult read.

[Brenda Moten · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will use this book as a reference as I continue to explore womanism. I actually skimmed rather than a deep dive. Seems really repetitive, but considering it is basic a composition of essay on similar topic, I suppose that is to be expected.

[Debbie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was recommended reading by an author of another book. Based on the topic of his book and the other books he recommended, I was expecting a book that gave insight into the Bible based on another culture's experiences or perspectives. (For example, someone from a polygamous culture might say, "Oh, a husband always has a favorite wife and that causes no end of conflict.") This book was more about making Bible events reflect African American experiences. For example, one article about Hagar made her situation identical to a black slave woman being raped by her master in America. The situations of Hagar and a black slave in America were different (which another article pointed out, though I suspect that author went too far in the other direction). So that author read the African American experience into the Bible rather than helping the reader understand the actual situation presented in the Bible.

The book was a compilation of articles by different African American Bible scholars. The first part of the book discussed how difficult it was for African Americans to become professors in Biblical studies (the book was published in 1991) and how they were taught to only interpret the Bible from a white Western male perspective. They also talked about some history of how the Bible was taught to black slaves by whites and the differences in how fellow blacks taught it. They explained how black slaves associated their situation with the Israelite slaves in Egypt.

There were two interesting articles identifying different places in the Bible were black-skinned peoples were mentioned and how they were respected. Other articles talked about two incorrect interpretations used as support for enslaving blacks: the "mark of Cain" and "the curse of Ham." I agree that those ideas are incorrect and are man-made ideas rather than ones actually found in the Bible.

The one thing that bothered me about this book was how they picked what parts of the Bible to believe. For example, they apparently thought the Old Testament was written without divine inspiration and edited to reflect different agendas over the ages. So the events surrounding Hagar were not treated as a whole but as one part was written by one person with one agenda and another part written by a later person who added some later propaganda. We then assume that we know why they wrote what they did and can sort out what REALLY happened by dismissing the parts with agendas, and what "really" happened always suited the current author's agenda. That's basing your theology on a lot of assumptions and basically only choosing the parts you want to keep. Since I don't agree with this method of "interpreting" the Bible, obviously I didn't agree with some of their conclusions.

In the end, I didn't really learn anything new in the area I was interested in since the author who recommended this book already conveyed those points in his book. However, I did learn a bit of history about African Americans and the Bible.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://thatjeffcarterwashere.blogspot...

[DeLoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Empowering history and interpretation of the Holy Scripture for African Americans.

[Amy Ariel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am appreciating reading an Afro-centric analysis of the bible.