AFRICAN PEOPLE IN THE CHRISTIAN FAITH
1 Samuel 16:7
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
For centuries church fathers, anointed men of erudition, have sculpted the development of the Christian faith and have postulated ways to articulate the deep and intricate truths of Christian theology. A great disservice has been done to people of African descent in the failure of church historians to identify the African, Hamitic descent of many of the most noted church fathers. By looking at the strategic place black African people have played in the history and development of the Christian faith, both through their piety and intellectual prowess exercised for the glory of God, we authenticate God’s continual activity in the black race.
We also encourage Christians of African descent to see ourselves as the continuation of a divine legacy. Our opulent heritage should serve to motivate us to continue dispensing God’s truth by means of the talents He has deposited in our community: not only for the benefit of the black community in particular but also for the Christian community at large. One way of breaking down barriers racially is to become educated about the people from the other race. This is an important form of creating and establishing common ground as both races learn about each other. While African-Americans are given many opportunities to learn white history on an ongoing basis, we have to be more intentional about our learning and discovery when it comes to the history and background of African-American people.
REFLECTION: How do racial stereotypes keep us from getting to know one another—or even wanting to? Have you read biographies or classics written by Christians of another ethnic background (e.g., if you are white, have you read anything by Augustine)? What can you learn from others? I ask for opportunities to learn and discover more about the history of those outside my own race, Lord, and to learn my own history as well so that I can celebrate the life You have created.
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