Black Man's Religion: Can Christianity Be Afrocentric? [Paperback]

Glenn Usry (Author), Craig S. Keener (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 6, 1996

Some say Christianity is white man's religion. . . . And it is true that there is a long and ugly history of abuse of African-Americans at the hands of Anglo Christians. Afrocentric interpretations of history often point to slavery, lynchings and the like as proof that Christianity is inherently antiblack. But Craig Keener and Glen Usry contend that Christianity can be Afrocentric. In this massively researched book, they show that racism is not unique to Christianity. More important, they show how "world history is also our history and the Bible is also our book." Black Man's Religion is one of the first of its kind, a pro-Christian reading of religion and history from a black perspective. Fascinating and compelling, it is must reading for all concerned for African-American culture and issues of faith.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Black Man's Religion fills an important void in religious scholarship in general and in the fields of Black and evangelical studies in particular. Craig Keener brings to this work the same passion for truth and attention to detail that marks his fine monographs in biblical studies. Glenn Usry makes the connections between historic African cultural realities and the contemporary reality of the Black church. The ministry goal of the historian is to discern the 'usable past' of a community in its quest for articulating its current identity. Here, Usry and Keener have excelled. Herein is a fair treatment of the Black church, its 'usable past' and current mandates, that avoids the pitfalls of uncritical, popular notions of African heritage in the Black church as well as the myopia extant in White Christian circles that have denied people of African descent their proper place in salvation history." (Harold Dean Trulear, Ph.D., Dean of First Professional Programs, Professor of Church and Society New York Theological Seminary )

"A corroborative effort thoroughly researched, well documented and systematically presented. The sweep through epics of history clearly confirms that an Afrocentric presence is found at the historical roots of Christianity. The question of race eludes ethnic bias and utilizes the cultural evidence within ancient societies as a testimony to the varied interpretations of what constitutes a Black race. Each chapter makes a significant contribution to the continuing dialogue concerning the Black man's presence in the formative and present religion called 'Christianity'. "This book is invaluable in giving new insights and providing information that future writers will review in a critical statement concerning the Black man's role in the development of Christianity as a world religion. This book is destined to be a major work on the subject. It has an ecumenical appeal beyond a targeted audience of race. For every inquirer it is essential, and for every Bible student it is a must." (Bishop Marshall H. Strickland, Presiding Prelate, African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, Baltimore )

"This book is a valuable resource for evangelistic apologetics--all the more useful for its bicultural authorship. I highly recommend it, especially for those involved in urban and campus-based ministries." (William Pannell, Arthur DeKruyter/Christ Church of Oak Brook Professor of Preaching and Practical Theology; Dean of Chapel, Fuller Theological Seminary )

"Black Man's Religion is a much-needed and long-awaited work! It combines the brilliance of one of the country's leading biblical scholars and the passion of a pastor who is trying to reach a generation being lured away from the 'God of our weary years' by others who teach half truths. The sensitive, balanced, thorough and exhaustive work (written so that lay people can understand it) is 'just what the doctor ordered' in terms of our African American youths who are wrestling with their Afrocentricity and the claims of the Nation of Islam versus the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ! I recommend this book highly to all high school students, college students, parents, pastors and young persons who are trying to find out the 'truth' about the African origins of our faith." (Pastor Jeremiah A. Wright Jr., Trinity United Church of Christ, Chicago )

"The authors present a superb 'apology' for Christianity as indeed a Black man's religion as much as the religion of any other group or groups, against adversaries of whatever color or race. I find the volume to be very timely: it supplies a refutation of many insupportable criticisms of Christianity and a corrective of many false claims rampant in the African American community and elsewhere. At the same time it provides a positive program for combatting racism wherever it is found. I am happy to endorse the volume without reservation." (Charles B. Copher, Professor Emeritus of Old Testament Studies, Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta )

"Black Man's Religion: Can Christianity Be Afrocentric? is a breath of fresh air in this world of confusion. Every African American, after reading this powerful book, should be able to answer Jesus' question, 'Who do you say that I am?' " (Jawanza Kunjufu, author of Adam! Where Are You? )

"Herein is a fair treatment of the Black church, its 'usable past' and current mandates, that avoids both the pitfalls of uncritical, popular notions of African heritage in the Black church and the myopia extant in white Christian circles that have denied people of African descent their proper place in salvation history." (Harold Dean Trulear, Ph.D., Dean of First Professional Programs, Professor of Church and Society, New York Theological Seminary )

"This book is a valuable resource for evangelistic apologetics--all the more useful for its bicultural authorship. I recommend it highly, especially for those involved in urban and campus-based ministries." (William Pannell, Fuller Theological Seminary )

"Black Man's Religion is invaluable in giving new insights and providing information that future writers will review . . . concerning the Black person's role in the development of Christianity as a world religion. This book is destined to be a major work on the subject." (Marshall H. Strickland, bishop and presiding prelate, African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church )

Product Details

• Paperback: 249 pages
• Publisher: IVP Academic (March 6, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830819835
• ISBN-13: 978-0830819836
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #612,693 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't Judge a Book By It's Cover, June 23, 2008

By 

David Hess (Tallahassee, FL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Black Man's Religion: Can Christianity Be Afrocentric? (Paperback)

This is an excellent book! Though the graphic design work on the cover is pretty outdated and probably a turn-off to younger readers, don't let that deter you! (I hope they release an updated version with a more appealing cover design soon)

This book is co-authored by an African-American author who is a pastor and a White author who is a Christian scholar. "Black Man's Religion: Can Christianity be Afrocentric" is a wealth of information and it is fully documented! - Literally about half of the book is end notes detailing the sources of information presented in the book!!!

The title almost makes it sound like the authors are trying to make christianity fit some "afrocentric" agenda, but this is probably just the association that I have because that is what most "afrocentric" things try to do. However, that is not what this book does at all. With a humble and genuine tone the authors attempt an honest historical and cultural investigation and bring the truth to light. They confidently assert what they can and they admit uncertainty where they are uncertain. Instead of forcing evidence where it didn't lead and making huge leaps of logic this book genuinely taught me a lot about the history of African Christianity. (I've read way too many books that fall in to that.)

This book can serve as either a great starting point to gain an overview of the history of African Christianity and cultural issues associated with being "Black and Christian" (especially in America) or as a starting point for deeper research using the end notes as a list of other resources to investigate.

I highly recommend it, especially for Black Christian College Students or Pastors or College Ministers working with African American young people. Craig Keener and Glenn Usry shed bright light on the magnificent history of Black Christianity!

6 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Should be required reading for W.A.S.P.'s like me, May 14, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Black Man's Religion: Can Christianity Be Afrocentric? (Paperback)

When we look way way back into Christian history we usually look to the mid-east and the missionary journeys of Paul into Turkey and Greece, etc. BUT few realize the mighty missionary work in Africa the first 10-15 years after Christ's resurrection. Usry and Keener give us an eye-opening look at the fact that Christianity was established in Africa [Egypt and Ethiopia] and spread like wildfire throughout North and East Africa-in fact Christianity became better entrenched, more united, less 'tainted' and more enduring quicker than when it spread northward and they show us Christianity MOST definitely should be considered Afro-centric. The first 3 chapters are worth the price of the book. I wish EVERY white preacher [like me] would read this. Keener [a white preacher in a mainly black denomination] is the author of several thorough and gifted volumes on marriage, the Holy Spirit and the Gospel of Matthew [published by IVP] and he brings his thoroughness here as well.
Usry's [and Kenner's] testimonies are great!Their historical documentation is great and their line of thought in refuting black Muslim's arguments that Christianity enslaved and brought down black Africa is absolutely stunning. Islam didn't even exist until well after Christianity and was forced upon the people at sword-point. Black Man's Religion is superb, I highly recommend it for an eye-opening thought-provoking read-especially for Southern W.A.S.P.s like me. Also read anything by Albert Raboteau [about African-American religious experience] and the fascinating story of Coptic [African/Egyptian] Christianity. More and more and more it is very clear that Christianity is so ORIENTAL [i.e. of the mid-east, southwest Asia and North/East Africa]-American Christianity is still in its infancy in comparison.

4 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BLACK MAN'S RELIGION, March 20, 2000

By 

Shavonda Wilson (Raleigh, North Carolina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Black Man's Religion: Can Christianity Be Afrocentric? (Paperback)

I would like to thank the two authors Gleen Usry & Craig S. Keener for writting Black Man's Religion. I truely enjoyed reading the book. I had to read the book for a class. I feel that everybody should read this book. I would like to thank the authors for writting such a great book.