The biblical text and its key figures have played a prominent role in the development of religious discourse on pressing socio-political issues. Slavery and continued discrimination were given theological sanction through the Old Testament story of Ham, but what of his descendent Nimrod the hunter?
Praise for African American Religious Life and the Story of Nimrod
'This is an intriguing book from beginning to end. I learned a great deal from it both in terms of Biblical exegesis of the relevant texts, their historical usage for racist purposes, and their various contemporary uses by African Americans in their pursuit for enhanced dignity and cultural valorization. It can be an apt grounding for Biblical humanism on the one hand and for African American humanism on the other hand as some of the articles indicate. Yet, it can be used as a theological corrective for human aspirations towards domination, tyranny, and oppression as others demonstrate in their essays. The text results in a rich historical repository of racist interpretations that have demeaned the humanity of African peoples for many centuries. It is an important collective of essays on a subject of great interest to African peoples both within and without the theological and biblical academy.' PeterJ. Paris, Elmer G. Homrighausen Professor Emeritus, Christian Social Ethics, Princeton Theology Seminary
'This is an intriguing book from beginning to end. I learned a great deal from it both in terms of Biblical exegesis of the relevant texts, their historical usage for racist purposes, and their various contemporary uses by African Americans in their pursuit for enhanced dignity and cultural valorization. It can be an apt grounding for Biblical humanism on the one hand and for African American humanism on the other hand as some of the articles indicate. Yet, it can be used as a theological corrective for human aspirations towards domination, tyranny, and oppression as others demonstrate in their essays. The text results in a rich historical repository of racist interpretations that have demeaned the humanity of African peoples for many centuries. It is an important collective of essays on a subject of great interest to African peoples both within and without the theological and biblical academy.' PeterJ. Paris, Elmer G. Homrighausen Professor Emeritus, Christian Social Ethics, Princeton Theology Seminary