ATSS: Olive Hemmings on “Bible History Is Black History”

2 February 2023  |  by Olive Hemmings  |

May God make space for Japheth,
and let him live in the tents of Shem,
and let Canaan be his slave. (Gen 9:27)

This text and the surrounding story is all that many people know about Black people in the Bible. For generations this story has been viewed through the distorted lens of the transatlantic slave trade—namely that people of African descent have been enslaved by people of European descent because of the “curse of Ham” through his son Canaan. 

How many have stopped to consider that Ham and his brothers came from the same genetic stock? Has anyone looked closely enough at the story to notice that God cursed no one after the flood—that he in fact blessed Noah and his progeny? 

By the traditional interpretation, the Egyptians would have been descendants of Ham. They enslaved (again, by that traditional interpretation) the descendants of Shem. How many have stopped to consider that slavery in the ancient world was not about race but the result of political and socio-economic vulnerability?

How many are aware that racial segregation was not a thing in the world of the Bible? Hagar was an Egyptian, a Hamite through whom Sarah attempted to produce an heir for the house of Abraham. Abraham’s descendants, Semites, were all people of color. Cain Hope Felder’s Original African Heritage Study Bible argues that although Europeans appear much later in the Bible history, the earliest people of the Bible could have been considered “Black” by modern Western racial classification. And the entire book of Song of Solomon exists to openly celebrate love between a king of Israel and a woman with black skin.

Once one sheds the racialized eurocentric lens that has ignored the Africanism of biblical culture and history, it becomes difficult to separate the sacred writings from their African setting. The aim of this study is to unload the imposed burden of race from the Bible, and to witness instead to a narrative that emerges from a non-racialized history of people of color.

Teacher:

How to join:

One-click link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89899375763
Passcode: SOLOMON

ATSS starting time depends on where you are. If you’re on the west coast of the United States, it’ll be 10:30 AM. On the east coast, 1:30 PM. Please double-check the correct time where you live.

Times around the world:

• • Reykjavík: 6:30 PM
  • College Place: 10:30 AM
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  • Cooranbong: 5:30 AM (Sunday)
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The class is intended to last about 2 hours, though the conversation often continues to 4 PM (Eastern time).

About our class:

• The AT Sabbath Seminar is intended to be a courteous forum. We discuss and ask questions politely. We don’t accuse, get angry, put people down, or judge the state of their salvation.
• Stick to the topic in both comments and chat discussion.
• Make your comments and questions short—don’t dominate.
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• Indicate your interest in speaking by raising your electronic hand—under the “reactions” button.
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We look forward to getting acquainted with you!

Coming up:

• Maury Jackson
• Bill Cork

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