The Talking Book: African Americans and the BibleA striking narrative of the Bible’s central role in African-American history from the early days of slavery to the present The Talking Book casts the Bible as the central character in a vivid portrait of black America, tracing the origins of African-American culture from slavery’s secluded forest prayer meetings to the bright lights and bold style of today’s hip-hop artists. The Bible has profoundly influenced African Americans throughout history. From a variety of perspectives this wide-ranging book is the first to explore the Bible’s role in the triumph of the black experience. Using the Bible as a foundation, African Americans shared religious beliefs, created their own music, and shaped the ultimate key to their freedom—literacy. Allen Callahan highlights the intersection of biblical images with African-American music, politics, religion, art, and literature. The author tells a moving story of a biblically informed African-American culture, identifying four major biblical images—Exile, Exodus, Ethiopia, and Emmanuel. He brings these themes to life in a unique African-American history that grows from the harsh experience of slavery into a rich culture that endures as one of the most important forces of twenty-first-century America. |
From inside the book
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... Things in this World can be done for them . Something then , let there be done , towards their welfare in the World to Come . ” Mather also resolved , “ A Catechism shall be got ready for them ; first shorter , then Larger ; Suited to ...
... things which the Prophet Jonah spake , shall surely come to pass " ( 14 : 8 ) . Afterward , “ God will have mercy on [ our brethren ] . . . and afterward they shall return from all places of their captivity , and build up Jerusalem ...
... thing despised me because I was black.39 The sons of his master read to him from the Bible as they sought to convince the slave convert John Jea that he was still a slave in spite of his conversion. After they left him, Jea writes, “I ...
... things had a beginning : for that purpose I have often taken up a book , and have talked to it , and then put my ears to it , when alone , in hopes it would answer me ; and I have been very much concerned when I found it remained silent ...
... things that were hard for them to hear. It spoke with a voice that sometimes echoed their oppressors. The words of life could deal death, and its text could become noxious. The Talking Book was also a poison book. Toxic texts in the Old ...
Contents
1 | |
21 | |
41 | |
49 | |
5 Exodus | 83 |
6 Ethiopia | 138 |
7 Emmanuel | 185 |
Postscript | 240 |
Notes | 247 |
Subject Index | 275 |
Scripture Index | 284 |