Progress of Theology in America: David Walker

Introductory Posting

David Walker (1785-1830), Our Wretchedness in Consequence of the Preachers of the Religion of Jesus Christ.

Walker was born of a free black mother in North Carolina but moved to Boston, where he became active in Baptist churches and the abolition movement. He published this essay in 1829 (p.114).

Everybody has religion – the Jews, the Mahometans, and even the pagans. But the pure religion that was taught by Jesus Christ is scarce to be found. God gave a dispensation of his will to Israel who proceeded to depart from faith through hypocrisy and oppression. He then gave a dispensation to the Europeans, “together with the will of Jesus.” The Europeans are now in violation for having made the African into a piece of merchandise, and even using religion to aid them in the oppressive process. Some then, looking on from outside the culture, might think that the religion being professed is merely a fabrication. But the gospel as preached by Jesus and the Apostles remains the same; it has simply been perverted with the reigning oppression of the Europeans and their descendants. The city on a hill is no longer lovely to behold, but it is now wretched and despised by those looking on from the outside. All other groups of religion (Jews, Mahometans, pagans) extend protection to the professors of their religion. Yet Christians beat the Africans for praying to the God that created them. Destruction will come to America for breaking its covenantal relationship with God through its social injustices. Just as the prophets of the Old Testament railed against Israel for falling away from the Lord, Walker rails against America. “Oh Americans! Americans!! I warn you in the name of the Lord to repent and reform, or you are ruined!!!”

Tomorrow: William Ellery Channing