Finding maps of ancient “Africa” as well as this rich Biblical history of “Africa” was a challenge, to say the least. But as you can see from the information and the map above, all that land and all those nations was AFRICA! Africa wasn’t just a “blip” in ancient Biblical history. Africa wasn’t an after-thought or a Biblical oversight. African nations played a pivotal role in Biblical history – in the good, the bad, and the ugly. 

Engaging in this two-year study not only challenged my mind, but it did a number on me emotionally and eventually spiritually. I had so many questions like, “Why don’t I know this stuff?” “Why doesn’t everybody know this stuff?” “Who changed the narrative and WHY?” And when I begin digging for answers to the “why” of Africa’s absence of or relevance to the Bible, what I learned from the various theological, philosophical, debatable, inflammable or convoluted answers provided, is that the “de-Africanization” of the Bible all boils down to greed and fear. 

Beginning with Constantine, the 4th century Roman emperor who institutionalized Christianity in the Roman Empire, and then more intentionally during “Enlightenment” between the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, Europe sought to recast the Bible in a more Eurocentric light to justify slavery and colonization. And this “whitewashing” of the Bible not only provided Europeans and White Americans a justification of their greed at the expense of Africans, but it also led to the minimization or erasure of the presence of Africa and Africans and their contributions in Biblical history (Felder, 1993). 

I also believe that the continued “whitewashing” of the Bible persists in response to fear, a fear that I believe is misplaced. See, in our sinful, worldly ways of thinking, I’m guessing that those seeking to continue the oppression of Africans and the descendants of Africa must reason that if they were in our shoes, given a chance, they’d retaliate. They would seek to heap upon the “oppressor” evil and harm tenfold that which had been heaped upon them. They’d seek to take away everything that had been ill-earned and would seek a reversal of power. That fear of losing what one has,  power, riches, privilege,  can lead one to continually suppress the truth and oppress any and everyone who is perceived as a threat. 

And truth be told, for a minute, I was in that same space. In that space of wanting revenge, retaliation and restitution, I was very much tangled up in my feelings of the unfairness and the horror of it all. But God worked with me. He comforted and calmed me and gave me a new perspective and a new sense of purpose. And two years later, He’s shown me that this newfound truth and this enlightenment isn’t about revenge, retaliation or restitution. It’s about not simply knowing the truth about Africa, but it’s about living as “symbolic Africa.” As I prayerfully studied and allowed the Holy Spirit to lead me, I saw symbolic “Africa” Biblical as a representation of the choice that each of us has today, life or death (Deuteronomy 30:19). The “Africa” representing death served as an oppressor, like slavery, sin, idolatry and all things anti-God. However, the “Africa” symbolic of life was the “Africa” that served as a refuge, a place of safety, redemption and deliverance. 

So what if we chose life? Imagine how the truth about the prominence of African nations and African people in the Bible could serve our African nations and communities around the globe. Imagine the life that could be breathed into our nations, tribes, communities, and people. Perhaps, we’d walk with our heads held a little higher and our chests stuck out a little further. We’d have a glint and a gleam in our eyes. We’d let our natural, God-given talents burst forth. We’d create and innovate as we did in the days of old. We’d no longer be slaves to sin but would live as ones who have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb (John 1:29; I Peter 1:18-19). We’d once again provide safety and refuge to those who are hurting or lost (Colossians 3:13). We’d be that message of redemption and deliverance to a dying world (2 Corinthians 5:20). We would be Christ’s true worshippers (John 4:23), repairers of the breach and restorers of the streets (Isaiah 58:12-13). This is what “Africa” now means to me. And it is my goal to not only spread the truth of the prominent role of Africa and Africans throughout the Bible but to also live “Africa” by providing a refuge for the hurting and by spreading God’s message of redemption and deliverance. Won’t you join me? Live “Africa” Live!

Have I mentioned how exciting this study has been for me? And if my enthusiasm could fuel the research and writing process, this entire study would be done! However, research and writing take time. I hope that I’ve laid a good foundation, and I encourage you to stay tuned for specific stories regarding the African dynasties and the nations. We’ll meet prophets, priests, warriors, archers, tentmakers, farmers, kings and queens. We’ll discover varying plots and twists and explore the themes of love, betrayal, deceit, faithfulness, and courage, with each story pointing to the grand Biblical story of salvation. 

Stay tuned for the LIFE Study – My Black LIFE, Ancestry.com: A Rich and Royal Heritage.