The Talking Book: African Americans and the BibleYale University Press, 2008 M10 1 - 295 pages A 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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... tell the purchasers that she has got religion? I answer, because in Missouri, as far as I have any knowledge of slavery in the other states, the religious teaching consists in teaching the slave that he must never strike a white man ...
... tell me that there was a time to every purpose under the sun , to do all manner of work , that slaves were in duty bound to do whatever their masters commanded them , whether it as right or wrong ; so that they must be obedient to a ...
... Tell them to mind they master and behave theyself and they'll all go to heaven when they die . They come around and tell us to pray , get religion , that was on Sunday , but they'd beat the life out of you the next day if you didn't ...
... telling . Lee alludes to Paul's synopsis of the Gospel proclamation in 1 Corinthians 15 : 1–11 , a resume of witnesses to the Resurrection into which he insinuates him- self . But there are no women on Paul's witness list : Paul says ...
... tell me this old white man is the same God she used to see when she prayed . If you wait to find God in church , Celie , she say , that's who is bound to show up , cause that's where he live . How come ? I ast . Cause that's the one ...
Contents
1 | |
21 | |
41 | |
49 | |
5 Exodus | 83 |
6 Ethiopia | 138 |
7 Emmanuel | 185 |
Postscript | 240 |
Notes | 247 |
Subject Index | 275 |
Scripture Index | 284 |