African American and new Testament Experiences

Abstract

In discussing the African American experience, this paper will be particularly interested in the religious dimensions of African American experience. Specifically, I will focus upon Christianity and what key elements African Americans can draw from it in relation to their own life. More precisely, how can African Americans relate to the figure and life of Jesus Christ? The working hypothesis of this paper is that understanding the experience of Jesus can lead African Americans to a more profound understanding of their own circumstances. This should come as no surprise, since Jesus affiliated, with and impacted those considered on the margins of society, and it continues to be the case that African Americans are viewed as being on the margins of society.