African-American Hermeneutic of Suspicion.
"The Bible has always been read through the experience of the people holding it. The meaning they draw and the ethics they build are directly related to the kind of lives they lead. It is no wonder that for a people trapped in slavery and yearning to be free, that the Bible would mean and encourage liberation." -- Dr. Brian K. Blount in "Then the Whisper Put On flesh" All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness [justice], so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work. ( 2 Tim 3:16-17 NRSV, parenthesis mine) I have been part of a wide variety of churches. I have been in multicultural churches, predominantly African American churches, and in predominantly White churches as I enter my 6th decade of life. I believe that my experiences with a variety of communities allows some unique perspectives but more importantly, a cultural humility to understa...