Since the books I need to read are endless. I want to catch, probably, just three more before moving on. The first is the chapter on "African-American Biblical Interpretation."
Anthony Hunt is the author of the chapter. He begins by highlighting the diversity of black approaches to the Bible. One shouldn't assume that black interpretation is monolithic. It can be conservative, moderate, or "liberal." Indeed, I found the chapter very "tame," compared to what it might be.
For example, the relationship between African-Americans and the Bible, indeed with Christianity, has not always been smooth. Those who brought slaves to America often did so in a way that was laced with Christian justifications and symbolism. Slave owners often used the Bible as a tool of oppression and suppression. Howard Thurman's grandmother, a former slave, had no interest in hearing any Scripture from Paul's writings because of how they had been weaponized by slave owners. Hunt does not mention these features.
Hunt mentions three key themes of interest to African-American interpreters: the exodus, the story of exile and return, and themes of sin and forgiveness. Hunt does not really highlight that, in general, black theology tends to focus much more on structural and societal dimensions of sin.
No comments:
Post a Comment