Telling a Fuller Story
Chapters in Black Lutheran History
- History & Biography
- Publisher: Fortress Press (Augsburg Fortress)
- Published: 2027
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Publisher's Description
This unique edited collection scours the files of the Journal of the Lutheran Historical Conference to assemble a wide array of scholarship on Black Lutheran history in what would become the United States. Fourteen articles spanning 50 years, from 1974 to 2024, offer episodic insights that combine to establish the range and variety of the Black experience in the United States from the colonial era to the 20st century. Co-editors Denise L. Rector and Mark Granquist offer rich introductions that contextualize both history and historiography, asking readers to "discern the archive" (Rector) with insightful notes on language, approach, and what's missing as well as what's present in the collection. Contributors' chapters cover diverse subjects using an array of approaches ranging from chronology to biography, uncovering a pan-Lutheran story of opportunity and restriction, remarkable achievements and regrettable decisions. Rector's epilogue provides a cogent challenge for both historians and readers as we continue the complicated work of seeking to truly do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly. Scholars, ministry leaders, and interested Lutherans from across the contemporary denominational spectrum will benefit from the wisdom uncovered in both the chapters themselves and the co-editors' valuable contributions.
Endorsements (4)
“The contributors to this diverse collection of essays have done a great service to the field of American Lutheran history. Though Lutheranism has been popularly seen as a “white church” tradition, these essays remind us that the presence and contributions of Black Lutherans have been a part of the American Lutheran story from nearly the beginning. From pastors to schoolteachers, from administrators to civil rights activists, these men and women, often in the face of adversity, expressed their faith in ways that both inspire and challenge us today.”
“This collection gathers significant essays on Black Lutheran history in the United States and the Caribbean, bringing together in one volume scholarship originally presented to the Lutheran Historical Conference during the past two decades. Helpful introductory essays situate these studies within the broader development of the field over the past fifty years, tracing the evolution of both historical interpretation and scholarly inquiry while critically engaging the voices, perspectives, and limitations that have shaped the writing of this history. Together, these essays provide an indispensable resource for scholars, students, and general readers alike while pointing toward important new directions for future research.”
“This critically important anthology contains essential resources for anyone who wants to understand the experiences of African American Lutherans in predominantly white institutional settings. Authors of these essays combed archives and historical records to uncover rich historical data about individuals’ lived experiences. Mark A. Granquist provides a concise, readable overview of Black US Lutheran history. Denise L. Rector’s introductory essay sensitively situates these articles in their historical framework and offers insightful reflections on the ethics of telling racial history.”
“The truth of Lutheran history in the US is complex and “curious,” as revealed through these eye-opening and honest examinations of the interactions between Black and white siblings of the Lutheran faith. The experiences and agency of Black Lutherans demonstrate the imperative for accurate naming and recording of human history. The shared Lutheran heritage of enslavement calls for critical engagement and mutual learning about the realities and promises of the Lutheran faith over the centuries. A gem and an indispensable resource!”
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