The Holy Spirit and Black Women

Liberation Pneumatology: On the Unfettered Work of the Holy Spirit in the World

“…As Thomas states: 'Life in slavery for black women meant being obliged to endow the very system that subjugated and enchained them.' 33 Black women continued to fare dreadfully post-slavery through Reconstruction and the Great Migration north. They were not considered equal to any person, regardless of status; those employed had demeaning jobs, were poorly paid, and had little time to spend with family or children.…”

“…Biblical passages assure black women 'that God's Spirit rekindled dry bones into a living body (Ezekiel 37)', …that God's Spirit descended when Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:16; Mark 1:10; Luke 3:22); that Jesus declares the Spirit was upon him (Luke 4:16-18); that Jesus promises the disciples that the Holy Spirit will come (John 14:15-25); that Jesus tells them that the Spirit will give them power (Acts 1:8); and that at Pentecost, the Spirit came and the church was birthed (Acts 2). 36 Furthermore, African spirituality reminds black women that all creation reveals the divine, and, therefore, there is no separation between the sacred and the secular. As stated by Zimbabwean theologian Edward Antonio,…”

“…The Spirit is the vital force that animates all things and thus gives them life. 37 As a result, black women inherit their wisdom concerning the Spirit through resources both Christian and African, as 'the fulfillment of grace, and the active presence of God in their lives as they seek justice from structurally harmful systems.' 38 Elaborate cosmologies of divinities and ancestors paved the way to an understanding of the Holy Spirit, the God who was 'inside everything and transcended everything'.…”

“…37 As a result, black women inherit their wisdom concerning the Spirit through resources both Christian and African, as 'the fulfillment of grace, and the active presence of God in their lives as they seek justice from structurally harmful systems.' 38 Elaborate cosmologies of divinities and ancestors paved the way to an understanding of the Holy Spirit, the God who was 'inside everything and transcended everything'. 39 In this interweaving with Christianity, African cosmology contributes a link between freedom, justice, well-being, good health, and flourishing as basic goals in life.…”

“…38 Elaborate cosmologies of divinities and ancestors paved the way to an understanding of the Holy Spirit, the God who was 'inside everything and transcended everything'. 39 In this interweaving with Christianity, African cosmology contributes a link between freedom, justice, well-being, good health, and flourishing as basic goals in life.…”