"Black Theologians"

[Maurice Edwards]

Can anyone list at least three "Black Theologians" that contributed to Christian doctrine between the 16th and 17th centuries?

[Maurice Edwards]

I guess not!

[Lovitha M, Whittington Shelton]

Charles Parham (1873-1929) - Preacher and evangelist; taught William J. Seymour (Azusa Street)

Richard Allen (1760 - 1831) - Minister, Preacher, Educator

and I am not able to remember a third at this time.  I am not familiar with the centuries you presented.  I will keep researching...

[Stephen Ray]

Parham was not only white, he was quite racist in his worldview. He was scandalized by the interracial worship services at Azusa St.

[Lovitha M, Whittington Shelton]

Okay, during slavery I found Jesse Galphin, George Liele, and Andrew Bryan who were the first known Baptists preachers in Georgia.  The first is known as Gowen, 1781, in Jamestown, Virginia.  I still have not found any in the 16th century...

[Maurice Edwards]

John Marrant was considered one of America's first "Black Preachers", but I'm talking about "theologians" that have influenced theology and christian doctrines. We've had many "Black Preachers". But have you found anyone that has contributed works like Martin Luther, John Calvin, etc.....?

[Lovitha M, Whittington Shelton]

I haven't found any African American Theologians of the centuries you presented.  I must not have the resources to find them...

[Stephen Ray]

During the centuries you note there were none in the Protestant movement, not sure about the Roman Catholic Church--don't know Vincent De Porres dates. In the 18th century there was, of course, Allen and Varick. In the 19th any number of people in the AME and AMEZ churches. The was also J.W.C. Pennington in the Congregational Church who published quite a bit. Hope this helps.

Dr. Stephen Ray
Professor of Theology
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary

[Stephen Ray]

Martin De Porres, sorry.

[Maurice Edwards]

Richard Allen started the AME denomination but used "Methodism" as the foundation of their beliefs and practices. De Porres was from a mixed race of the Dominican order. I'm looking for some African/Black theologians that contributed to Christian doctrine like Calvin established "Calvinism". I only see African/Blacks preaching and teaching what was already established by eurpoean theologians. Am I wrong?

[Joseph Gill]

Why "between 16th and 17th Centuries"? If you include the whole of Christian history, you have several North African theologians of significant impact to the development of the faith. Augustine, Clement, Tertullian, Origen... these early church fathers set the standard as theologians through the 5th Century. But by the 16th Century, Europe had eclipsed North Africa as a locus of Christian Theology.

[Maurice Edwards]

Most of these men were born in the Roman province of Africa. I'm not sure that these men were born indigenous Africans/Egyptians. It is said that Tertullian was the son of a Roman centurion. But I'll research these men further. Thanks for the info.

[Lovitha M, Whittington Shelton]

Who are the Black Theologians?  A final answer?...