DESCRIPTION: The course will examine the historical roots of hermeneutical ideologies and methodologies that marginalize the presence and influence of Africa and those of African descent upon the Bible and biblical interpretation. In addition, the course will explore the distinctives of Afrocentric hermeneutics and the contributions it makes to biblical interpretation in general.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: As a result of taking this course, students should understand (1) the development, scope, methodology and application of Afrocentric hermeneutics; (2) the similarities, dissimilarities and critiques of other hermeneutical approaches such as Eurocentric, feminist and womanist; (3) its interdisciplinary approach and sources ; (4) the significance of social location on the interpretive process.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: The peculiar plight of African Americans in particular and marginalized people in general requires relevant biblical interpretation that leads to relevant preaching, teaching, and proactive praxis if the church is to be a force for social change in the world. This course will present the theoretical and practical methodologies for that kind of engagement.

COURSE FORMAT: The course will be a combination of lectures, video tapes, discussion, group and individual assignments. The class will meet daily for two weeks for four-hour sessions.

REQUIRED READING:

Bailey, Randall C., ed., Yet with a Steady Beat: Contemporary Afrocentric Biblical Interpretation. Semeia Studies. Society of Biblical Literature, 2003.

Blount, Brian K., ed. True to Our Native Land: An African American Commentary on the New Testament. Fortress, 2007 (available May 1,2007).

Brown, Michael J. Blackening of the Bible: The Aims of African American Biblical Scholarship. Trinity Press International, 2004.

Callahan, Allen D. The Talking Book: African Americans and the Bible. Yale University Press, 2006.

Felder, C. H., ed. Stony the Road We Trod: African American Biblical Interpretation. Fortress, 1991.

Bailey, Randall C., and Jacquelyn Grant, eds. The Recovery of Black Presence: An Interdisciplinary Exploration. Abingdon, 1995.

Blount, Brian K. Go Preach! Mark's Kingdom Message and the Black Church Today. Orbis, 1998.

__________. Then the Whisper Put On Flesh: New Testament Ethics in an African American Context. Abingdon, 2001.

Byron, Gay L. Symbolic Blackness and Ethnic Difference in Early Christian Literature. Routledge, 2002.

*Copher, Charles. Black Biblical Studies. Chicago: Black Light Fellowship, 1993 (Order: 312-563-0081).

Roberts, J. Deotis. Africentric Christianity: A Theological Appraisal for Ministry. Judson Press, 2000.

Sadler, Rodney S., Jr. Can a Cushite Change His Skin? An Examination of Race, Ethnicity, and Othering in the Hebrew Bible. New York: T& T Clark, 2005.

*Sanders, C. J., ed. Living the Intersection: Womanism and Afrocentrism in Theology. Fortress, 1995.

Waters, Kenneth L., Sr. Afrocentric Sermons: The Beauty of Blackness in the Bible. Judson Press, 1993.

*Weems, Renita J. Just A Sister Away: A Womanist Vision of Woman's Relationships in the Bible. San Diego: LuraMedia, 1988.