Newspapers / Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.) / July 13, 1989, edition 1 / Page 20
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Scholar reveals black presence in Bible By HENRY DUVALL Special to the Chronicle* After eight years- of research, Dr. Cain Hope Felder, a professor at the Howard University School of Divinity, has emerged with what, has been considered a "land mark study" on blacks in the Bible. " "Troubling Biblical Waters: Race, Class and Family," recently released by Orbis Books or Mary knoll, N.Y., illuminates the pres ence of^biac4ts m the BiWe,-pro* viding "some sorely needed cor rectives...," says the author. "The mistaken notion widely persists that the relation of black people to the Bible is a post-Bibli . cal experience," he notes. "Such historical distortions, created by Eurocentric scholars and mission aries to the detriment of blacks, have long been one of my con cerns." The 233-page paperback, the author s first published book, dis pels various myths, especially the notion that blacks had no "sub stantive history" prior to 1600, says Felder in an interview. "There is evidence of black influence in the shaping of Bibli * cal narratives thousands of years before Christ," he emphasizes. In his book, the professor of New Testament language and lit erature says that after conducting * studies in Egypt, he found the ancient Pharoahs of several Egyp tian dynasties to be, for the most part, black. "Whether we call these Pharoahs black, Afroasiatic or Negroid <Lq?_s not matter," he writes. "The substantive point is that they were not Caucasians." He also points out in "Trou bling Biblical Waters" that there is a strong presence of black people in the Old Testament. "Many of these passages attest to the great ness of and power of African blacks participating in the salva tion drama of ancient Israel." he maintains. "It has always struck me as incredible that modern scholars have so much difficulty acknowl edging the existence of black Jews before Jesus Christ." But he writes that the critical point is that "...if one considers the J-iebrew exodus story as a historical event, we have to reckon with the fact that these liberated Hebrews were most probably a racially mixed stock of people -- Afroasiatics." Felder also discusses the con troversy surrounding the racial identity of the ancient Queen of Sheba, arguing in an entire chap ter that evidence indicates that she was black and considered in some circles as "the queen of Egypt and Ethiopia." "For centuries, Western schol arship (whether Jewish, Christian or Muslim) displayed a tendency to regard, this queen as a leg endary figure from South Arabia; usually there was also a strong implication that she was not a black African woman," he notes in the book. . Says Felder, who is also edi tor of the "Journal of ^Religious Thought" at Howard, "From all of the data surveyed thus far, it would appear that the ancient Queen of Sheba was indeed of Negro ancestry." Studies in England as well as Egypt contributed to Felder s eight-year research. His review of various literature has included several versions of the Bible in addition to a number of scholarly translations. Asked why the black presence in the Bible has been ignored, the professor responds, "It's a subtle form of academic which appears at times to be liberal, nominally Christian, but basically Eurocentric. It is engaged in falsi fication of history and undermines the whole notion of cultural and racial pluralism. "We have consistently recast the personalilies of the Bible into the likeness or images of the dom inant racial groups of modern Western civilization." The author also addresses the role of women in the Bible. "There are commanding images of women in leadership roles. There is evidence in the New testament that women have functioned as ministers." Dr. Clarice J. Martin, a pro fessor at the Princeton Theologi cal Seminary, says Felder's book is "destined to change forever the way scholars, teachers, preachers and all serious students of the Bible reflect upon, teach and preach Biblical narratives..." The book is primarily targeted to black church leaders and semi narians, as well as to the larger theological community, says Felder, who holds a Ph.D. from Columbia University. "I firmly believe that black people need to 'trouble the waters' with perspectives and information not usually addressed by discrete But the book is also intended to raise the level of discussion about the Bible among the laity, he stresses, maintaining that the laity has "a hunger" for discussion beyond traditional Bible stories. Open Door Apostolic Church celebrates 47th anniversary Open Door Apostolic Church recently celebrated its 47th church anniversary. Guest speakers for the cele bration, held July 6 to 9, were Pastor Charlene Lewis, New Cal vary Holiness Church in Mocksville; Elder Erwin McQueen, Friendship Temple Church of God In Christ in Greensboro; Bishop Lawrence S. Tate, New Faith Holiness Church; and Bishop Alonzo McCloud, Tabernacle of Faith Church. A musical program, featuring several local and area choirs, was held July 22. Singers and choirs on hand for the celebration, included the Maultsby Family Singers, Disciples of Faith, the L.S. Tate Spiritual Choir, the Fair field Baptist Church Male Chorus, Thad Fisher and the Angels and the Calvary Hill Choir. Elder Tony DT Williams was the host pastor; Mrs. C.L. Acker is the founder; and Bishop Tate is the executive bishop. Mother Acker Women's Auxiliary examines 'Challenge of Unfinished Task' during 76th session The 76th annual session of the Women's Auxiliary of the High Point Educational and Missionary Baptist Association recently was held at New Calvary Baptist * Church in Greensboro, with representatives from local and surrounding counties participating. The pre-fellowship banquet was held at the Hilton Airport Hotel. Norris Ellington of Reidsville was crowned "King" for the 1989-90 period. Annie Lewis of Winston-Salem was re-elected president of the auxiliary. The Rev. J.T. Walker was nominated for Man of the Year honors. The theme for the session was "The Challenge of the Unfinished Task in Christian Stewardship." The theme song was "Look Where He Brought Me From." The session ended with a candlelight service and memorials. Women's Auxiliary of Rowan Baptist to hold 84th session The Woman's Auxiliary of the Rowan Baptist Association will meet in Winston-Salem July 19 to 20. The meeting will mark the organization's 84th session and will be held at First Baptist Church on Highland Avenue. A banquet will be held on the eve of the auxiliary meeting. Mem bers of the Young Adult Missionary Department of First Baptist Church will host the banquet at Mount Zion Baptist Church. The speaker for the banquet - will be Dr. Lillie M. Jones, associ ate superintendent of the High Point City Schools. The theme for the session is "Amending the Defectives." Dr. Jay R. Butler is the modera tor and Marian H. Bass is president of the auxiliary. There will be planned pro grams throughout the session for youth, young adults and the senior departments. Church Calendar From Page B6 ? Pitts Memorial Missionary Baptist Church will hold weekly prayer services every Tuesday night at 7 and Bible study classes every Thursday night at 7. The teacher for the Bible study classes is the Rev. Henry Massey of Morning Star Baptist Church. Dr. B.H. Bonham Sr. is host pastor. For more information call 784-5737, ? PRO-Families services will be held at St. Peter's Church of God Apostolic every second Sunday of the month at 6 p.m. The focus will be on bringing back the strong family structure through prayer, education and fellowship. The program is free and open to the public. ? Noon prayer is held every Tuesday at Su Peter's World Outreach Center, 1031 N. Highland Ave. Morning Bible study is held every Wednesday at* 10:30 a.m. ? The Saints Home Day Care Center is now accept ing applications for children, ages 2 to 5. The day care center is state-licensed and certified Hours of operation are 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. For more infor mation call Mary Bitting at 721*1969. ? The St Phillips Day Care Center is now accepting applications for the ages 2 to 5. The day care center is state-licensed and certified. Hours ofoperatf Oft are 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. For more information call Linda Wright 723*5270. ? There will be a free medical clinic operated by doctors from Bowman Gray and nurses from the PtitK lie Health Department held at First Baptist Church at Fifth and Spruce streets on the first Tuesday of each month. Private physicians also operate a free clinic heldat Trimty Moravian Church on the ftmjBfldjhird Thursday of each month* Both locations are open from 6 to 8 p.m. F6r more information call 724-I&75. LOOKING FOR A JOB? CLASSIFICATION #20 "EMPLOYMENT" ^ave ernpl?yers who are dir?ci'y inviting Chronicle readers ?to apply with their companies Find your next job or a better job through Chronicle Classifieds LOOK TO &C9 e> ? SEARS OUTLET SSS.30% to 60% Off Most Original Catalog and Retail Toys Every Day! Christmas toys in TOYS TOYS OUR ONCE A YEAR ALMOST UNRELIEmRLE TOY SALE Parkview Shopping Center Winston-Salem, N.C.
Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
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July 13, 1989, edition 1
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