Reading While Black African American Biblical Interpretation as an Exercise in Hope

In this book, Esau McCaulley clearly explains the pains of the black community in America and how scripture has brought them hope. He handles their questions through the lens of scripture, while discussing the biases of both a Euro centric and black interpretation of the text. He provides examples from personal testimony, and from history, of mistreatment and the seeking of justice while explaining how scripture was used in both cases, then explaining what the truth of scripture is. Esau briefly covers what the Bible says about topics like liberation, slavery, justice, political protest, and reconciliation as they relate to the black community in America all while considering the culture of when the bible was written. This was an illuminating read and I greatly appreciated Esau’s powerful honesty.

A very helpful sketch of a major stream of African-American biblical interpretation, while addressing contemporary issues (policing, black rage, political involvement, etc) in light of Scripture (especially the New Testament, McCaulley's specialty). I appreciated how he didn't impose a liberative framework onto the text, but rather showed how the text itself has hope to offer and nuance regarding the issues at hand. Another excellent example of someone concerned with both societal + systemic change while also holding onto personal transformation, forgiveness of sins, etc.

A fantastic example of theology made practical. Thorough, thoughtful, and convicting. McCaulley walks through various issues that are pressing for Black Christians (and the American church at large) today and shows how much hope resides in the word of God. I highly recommend any believer, but particularly American believers, give this a read. McCaulley gives so much great language to discuss these issues & the character of God at large.