Home > Christian History > Archives > Issue 62: Bound for Canaan: Africans in America

Issue 62 : Bound for Canaan: Africans in America

Originally published in 1999

Subscribe to Christianity Today magazine and get instant access to all past issues of Christian History.

Subscribe Now

Table of Contents

Black Christianity Before the Civil War: Did You Know?

Spiritual memories of slaves in their own words.
Black Christianity Before the Civil War: From the Editor - The Trojan Horse Gospel

Editors
The Musical Theology of Spirituals

"Nobody knows the trouble I see, nobody knows my sorrow."

Yolanda Y. Smith
By Any Means Necessary

Black abolitionsts were tired of waiting for a gradual peaceful end to slavery.

Ted Olsen
'The Best Side of Slavery I Can Conceive Of'

A former slave and abolitionist gives his account of a slave auction at a church.

Henry Bibb
Black Moses

The mystical faith and no-nonsense tactics of the Underground Railroad's most famous leader.

Matt Donnelly
A Timeline of Black Christianity Before the Civil War

The first black pastor to lead a white congregation, the start of the AME, and slavery splits American denominations.

A. G. Miller
God's Avenging Scourge

Nat Turner's rebellion, the bloodiest in slave history, was driven by his prophetic visions.

Vincent Harding
Defeating the Conspiracy

Why slaves adopted the religion of their masters--and transformed it.

Mark Galli
The Expatriate Option

Some blacks, like George Liele, had to emigrate to live and minister freely.

Milton C. Sernett
You Must Not Kneel Here

One April Sunday, Richard Allen and fellow black Methodists decided they wouldn't stand for prejudice anymore.

Will Gravely
Baptist Power

How the largest African-American denomination in the world got its start.

Carolyn McCulley
The First Heroes of African American Christian History

When given even a limited opportunity to grow, these African-American Christians blossomed.

Mark Sidwell
Shaking in the Multitude
America’s Persecuted Church

African American enslaved Christians bore witness to the gospel despite the threat of punishment at the hands of fellow Christians.

Albert J. Raboteau
Faith and Justice

What does the experience of black Christians before the Civil War have to say to American Christians (both black and white) today?

Cheryl Sanders
Need for Community

What does the experience of black Christians before the Civil War have to say to American Christians (both black and white) today?

Robert L. Stevenson
Black Christianity Before the Civil War: Recommended Resources

Loading More

Current Issue

May/June 2024 Subscribe

Read This Issue

Free Newsletters

More Newsletters

Today in Christian History

June 17, 1703: John Wesley, founder of Methodism, is born in Epworth, England, to parents Samuel and Susanna. Though Methodism's emphasis on grace and instantaneous (often emotional) conversion marked a radical departure from high church tradition, Wesley always considered himself an Anglican (see issue 2: John Wesley and issue 69: The Wesleys).

June 17, 1963: The U.S. Supreme Court rules 8-1 that states cannot require the recitation of the Lord's Prayer or Bible verses in public schools.

Time Periods

Topics

More

Featured Holidays

Featured People

Key Figures by Category

Issue 62 : Bound for Canaan: Africans in America

Current Issue