Book Review: “Reading While Black — African American Biblical Interpretation As An Exercise in Hope”
Dr. Esau McCaulley (PhD, St. Andrews) is assistant professor of New Testament at Wheaton College, a priest in the Anglican Church in North America, and a contributing opinion writer for The New York Times. His publications include Sharing in the Son’s Inheritance and numerous articles in outlets such as Christianity Today, The Witness, and The Washington Post.
Today, September 1st, is the release day for “Reading While Black: African American Biblical Interpretation As An Exercise in Hope”.
I greatly enjoyed reading this work by Dr. Esau McCaulley. It was the balm my soul needed. During a summer where news of the killings of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arberry, George Floyd, and many more by police brought me to a very low point, this was so needed. In a time where many continue to deeply struggle, including myself at points, with questions like
“Is the God of the Scriptures truly a God of justice?”
“Does God care about the perils of the oppressed?”
“Is Christianity in some sense at its core, the white man’s religion? Is Jesus truly a Savior for Black people?”
“Am I wrong for believing that the Scriptural witness leads us away from complicity with an unjust status quo?”
“Were my African ancestors foolish to trust in Jesus?”
Esau takes us back to consider the wisdom and faithfulness of the historic Black Church tradition that is often undervalued in many circles.
The chapter breakdown goes like this:
- The South Got Somethin’ to Say: Making Space for Black Ecclesial Interpretation
2. Freedom Is No Fear: The New Testament and a Theology of Policing
3. Tired Feet, Rested Souls: The New Testament and the Political Witness of the Church
4. Reading While Black: The Bible and the Pursuit of Justice
5. Black and Proud: The Bible and Black Identity
6. What Shall We Do With This Rage? The Bible and Black Anger
7. The Freedom of The Slaves: Pennington’s Triumph
I will highlight a few chapters that I enjoyed in particular.
In reviewing Black biblical interpretation in Chapter 1 “The South Got Somethin’ to Say”, he looks back to Frederick Douglass and many other Black Christians of old as emblematic of the historic Black Church tradition.
Frederick Douglass, at the end of “The Life of An American Slave” says that he made a distinction between the “Christianity of Christ” (The Christian message and faith at its very heart) and the “Christianity of this land” (which was hypocritical, violent, complicit with white racial oppression and slavery). And so it remains today.
I really enjoyed Chapter 2 “Freedom is No Fear”. It also appealed greatly to the historian in me. The connections he makes from the activity of policing that Roman soldiers would perform to modern police is coherent and allows the Scriptures to speak more clearly into present day challenges.
Chapter 7 “The Freedom of the Slaves” was extremely helpful and very heartfelt. Often, when it comes to the issue of slavery, it has remained a lingering hindrance. I have often seen the explanations given by various Christian teachers and in bible study material range as to why this is that range from “these are essentially employee/employer relationships” to “The Apostles weren’t inspired by God in the passages that only seem to regulate the institution.”
Esau makes a case that I believe is faithful and solid. It doesn’t require us to throw out portions of the New Testament nor does it minimize the cruel reality of slavery (in any era) that has been often linked with violence and sexual exploitation, especially towards women.
It gives Christians, but especially Black Christians, hope that the Creator God Yahweh, at the infinite core of who he is, remains committed to our freedom and the ultimate liberation of both soul and body from sin and death through Jesus Christ.
Esau’s arguments from from Scripture, both Old and New Testament are very good. He takes a look at God’s original intent at Creation, his redemptive work in history (what is God has in human history centered in the people of Israel to undo the effects of the Curse of sin and death in the world leading up to and now also through Jesus the Messiah and the Church), and his eschatological (final purposes and future for all of the universe).
This was all very helpful and a MUCH better way to answer the question that doesn’t eliminate every angst in me but settles a lot for me.
I deeply enjoyed the whole book from beginning to end but these were a few chapters I wanted to highlight. This book is thoroughly researched but very accessible for the regular person. True enough to the tradition, he was PREACHING (cue flame emojis) at several points during the book.
This was written with the marginalized right in front of him, with a view towards their spirits and bodies finding solace in Jesus and the Kingdom.
Another great thing to me about this book is that it is not meant to be exhaustive in every respect. More could be said about the various topics that were written in each chapter and deserve (and already do have in some cases) their own books. Esau does do a great job for putting all this together. Well researched. It’s worth looking into the individuals and events cited for additional understanding.
ALL IN ALL: Get this book! It is very needed.
Thanks to IVP Academic, and Esau McCaulley for a free ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
