Rev. JoAnne Marie Terrell, Ph.D. An African American native of Springfield, Mass., the Rev. JoAnne Marie Terrell is also a mother, scholar, teacher and preacher with a great enthusiasm for Christ. Dr. Terrell is a passionate speaker who has lectured extensively across the nation. Her book, “Power in the Blood” The Cross in the African American Experience”, is a staple in theology courses throughout the United States and beyond its borders.
Dr. Terrell serves as the assistant pastor of Greater Walters A.M. E. Church in Chicago where she inspires, empowers and uplifts individuals in Christ. Earning a bachelor's degree in behavioral science, philosophy and religion form Rollins College in Winter Park, Fla. Dr. Terrell also has a master's in philosophy, a master of divinity degree and a doctorate of philosophy in systematic theology from Union Theological Seminary in New York.
Dr. Terrell's central thesis is to address the challenges of racist anthropological assumptions, still used to justify and maintain white privileges. Although the biblical paradigm of the Exodus and the proclamation of Jesus claim that “the Spirit of the Lord is upon me … to proclaim release to the captives … to set at liberty those who are oppressed … to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord” (Lk 4:18ff.).
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It is a wonderful read and very informative and enlightening. James H. Cone a mentor and advisor of Dr. Terrell's is also mentioned quite often in this textbook because of his vital role in her life. Cone offers a list of books in reference to his scholarly work. Just to name a few; For my People: Black Theology and the Black Church (Maryknoll, N.Y.: Orbis Books, 1984). “The Gospel of Jesus, Black People and Black Power,” Black Theology and Black Power (Minneapolis: Seabury Press, 1969; rev.ed. Maryknoll, N.Y.: Orbis Books, 1997), pp. 31-61
Ed Stetzer, PH.D., leads LifeWay Research, a division of LifeWay Christian Resources and LifeWay’s Missiologist in Residence. He also serves as Director of Research and Missiologist-In-Residence for the North American mission Board. He is the author of sixteen books, and is well sought after as a conference and seminar speaker nationally. Stetzer currently serves as Visiting Professor of Research and Missiology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and Visiting Research Professor at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Stetzer education includes a bachelor’s degree at Shorter University, two master’s degrees from Liberty Theological Seminary and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and two doctorates a doctor of Ministry from Samford
1. 140 years ago, in Maysville, South Carolina, Mary McLeod, a child of former slaves was born. Coming up from very simple beginnings, would later in life become a renowned educator and college founder, an advocate, for civil and human rights, and a valued advisor to several United States presidents? As a young girl toiling in the fields alongside of her parents, Ms. McLeod knew that education and knowledge would eventually open her eyes to the world outside of South Carolina. At the tender age of 10, Ms. McLeod, began her educational journey by entering Trinity Presbyterian Mission School, followed by Scotia Seminary in North Carolina, and Moody Bible Institute, in Chicago, Illinois. Ms. McLeod, at first wanted
Mary Church Terrell was born to her parents Robert Reed Church and Louisa Ayers on September 23, 1863 in Memphis, Tennessee. Mary Church Terrell was known for many things, such as being the first African American woman to obtain a college degree, her advocacy for civil rights, and her book titled, “A Colored Woman in a White World.”
Kelly Brown Douglas begins by posing a series of questions, including, “Who is the Black Christ?” and “Is the Black Christ Enough?” (6-7) For Douglas, the Black Christ, “…represents God’s urgent movement in human history to set Black captives free from the demons of White racism” (3). The question of “Who is the Black Christ?” is addressed in Chapter 3. The question of “Is the Black Christ enough?” is addressed in Chapters 4 and 5, as Douglas critically examines the relationship of the Black Christ to the Black community and ends with addressing what womanist theology is and why there is a need for it in understanding the Black Christ.
While on sabbatical, as the Martin Luther King Jr. Visiting Professor of Chemistry at MIT, Lynda Marie accepted the call of ministry on her life, and received ministerial training at Harvard Divinity School (HDS). While at HDS, she earned the Certificate in the Study of Science and Religion from the Boston Theological Institute. She also conducted ethnographic research, and her findings were published in an article entitled, Domestic Violence in the African American Community: The Role of the Black Church. Her Master of Divinity Senior Paper, Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities: Accessing the Power of the Holy Spirit for Healing, explores a theological perspective for addressing the wounds which stem from health inequities in our
The Color of Christ is a book that evokes memories of the exhausted images and lives of Jesus which preponderantly contributes to “the saga of race in America.” (5) The book modifies and wisely propagates the stereotypical images of Jesus throughout the history of the U.S, which offers the most striking responses. In the book, Blum and Harvey portray the world as a place that is filled with various images about Jesus. The book, in its entirety, has been used by the two authors to substantiate the atrocities that were prevalent at a time when there was supremacy among the whites. White supremacy echoed loudly and was basically reinforced by the argument that Jesus Christ was white so he would agree with this notion. From the vicissitudes, and the happenings in the first six chapters of the book, Blum and Harvey have carefully interwoven a tapestry of visions and dreams of Americans to illustrate the fact that Americans have remade Christ. Instead of the thought that we, humans were made in the likeness of Christ, the son of G-d, we reinvented this theory of Christ in our likeness to suit our bias whether it be positive or negative. Again, Christ is emblematic of their aspirations strivings for power and racial justice, and their deeply- entrenched terrors.
In “Domestic Slavery,” Francis Wayland makes the case for the theological prohibition, and so general abolition, of racial slavery. His particular thesis is most apparent in his conclusion, where he claims that “the Christian religion not only forbids slavery, but that it also provides the only method in which, after it has been established, it may be abolished, and that with the entire safety and benefit to both parties” (197). Wayland’s argument therefore has two burdens: first, to show how Christianity establishes a prohibition against slavery; and second, to show how Christianity provides the peaceful means of abolishing the already existing and entrenched system of racial slavery. The innovation of Wayland’s argument is how the first claim is linked to the second.
In the year 1851 an African American woman by name of Sojourner Truth gave a powerful speech at the Woman’s convention in a small town of Akron, Ohio. This speech would be remembered for the originality and powerful message that it left on those listening. The speech touched on the trials and tribulations that Sojourner went through not only as a woman but a black women in that day’s society. She shared her personal experiences and used repetitive language to grab the attention of her audience, she also made references from the Bible to connect emotionally with her audience. The techniques she used were to invoke some power to overcome race and gender inequality.
Amanda Berry Smith is one of the most courageous women in the history of American History. She was well known for “barrier-crossing prophets,” which Smith speaks about her complication of race, class, and gender that she has experienced throughout her life. She was able to overcome her pain through the Holy Spirit, whom she believes healed her wounds caused by these barriers, and sought entire sanctification. Later in her life, Smith became a preacher for National Camp Meeting Association for and promoted the Holiness Movement, which was taught by John Wesley. Her life’s story and ministry have an enormous impact on many people both white and colored.
After years of enslavement, the African slaves became Americanized and later converted to African-Americans, understanding English but not all could read or write English. The master’s thought their slaves Christianity; the stories of Moses, Jesus and the Bible in whole. The slaves endure hardship after hardship, that today Americans couldn’t hold the strength capacity to survive. The slaves had white masters that looked at them as nothing more than cattle or property; not all but most. The slaves were field workers of inhuman tolerances, house workers, toys for the master’s children, and forced sexual objects (rape). The slaves may have not known yet how to physically escape the endeavors of their white slave master’s but
These three perceptions are distinctly different, but ultimately speak to the contextual nature of Black theology—rooting worship, adoration, and discipleship within the notion a (conscious) living G-d. The first perception explored is the image G-d adored through the lens of Sister Sweet and Mother Darling. At first glance, these women appear different in life style and theology—different churches, different abilities, and different approaches to discipleship. But upon further examination, one discovers the same paradigm at work. Both have lost children to AIDS. Both have committed themselves to a praxis centered theology to process their loss. Mother Darling is street missionary and Sister Sweet is a disabled woman confined to a wheel that feeds the birds and attends to the needs of the Little piece of Heaven Church. Both have found peace in their personalized work for the Lord. Their G-d is a “shelter in a time of storm.” The second perception is the image of G-d as seen through Deacon Zee. This G-d is one of salvation and complacence for Deacon Zee. The “White Jesus” he prayed to for his assistance in finding his copy of the Wall Street Journal—a nuanced symbol for prosperity. This G-d speaks to the corporate nature and element of
“God of the Oppressed” is a history of the African American Struggle through the complex account of its author, James H. Cone. Written in 1975, “God of the Oppressed” is the continuation of Cone’s theological position, which was introduced in his earlier writings of, “Black Theology and Black Power,” (1969) and “A Black Theology of Liberation” (1975). This final account was put together and published as a response to the continuous dismissal of Black Theology. This response shows Cone’s use of personal experiences, knowledge, and faith to explain the actual God of the oppressed found in Black Theology. The importance of the chosen title is maintained through all ten of Cone’s chapters
One of the leading black female activists of the 20th century, during her life, Mary Church Terrell worked as a writer, lecturer and educator. She is remembered best for her contribution to the struggle for the rights of women of African descent. Mary Terrell was born in Memphis, Tennessee at the close of the Civil War. Her parents, former slaves who later became millionaires, tried to shelter her from the harsh reality of racism. However, as her awareness of the problem developed, she became an ardent supporter of civil rights. Her life was one of privilege but the wealth of her family did not prevent her from experiencing segregation and the humiliation of Jim Crow laws. While traveling on a train her family was
While conducting research, Lemuel Haynes was found to be one of the most influential African-American religious leaders that argued against slavery. Sidwell, (1999) stated that ?To the late twentieth century, when Christians vigorously debate the question of racial reconciliation and how to achieve it,?Lemuel?Haynes?represents a significant symbolic ?first?, the first black pastor of a white congregation?. Lemuel Haynes was the illegitimate son of a black father and a white mother. ?Haynes?grew up as an indentured servant to the Rose family in Massachusetts. An indentured servant is men and women who signed a contract or covenant by which they agreed to work for a certain number of years in exchange for transportation to Virginia and, once they arrived, they received food, clothing, and shelter. The Rose family gave him an education and treated him like one of their own children. After the end of his period of indenture, he served in the Continental Army during the Revolution, with the support and encouragement of the Roses and others; he was ordained to the ministry (Sidwell, 1999). The following essay will discuss his legacy and contributions to society.
Chrisleine Temple is an eighteen-year-old student at Williams College from Sierra Leone. Before coming to Williamstown, she participated in Pentecostal services with her family every Sunday morning “unless on her death bed” and attended a Jesuit preparatory school. Asked about the presence of a God in her life, she told this story: