The social activism and theology of Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.

282 Pages·2016·12.85 MB·English

by  Lauren D. Brisbon

Atlanta University Center
DigitalCommons@Robert W. Woodruff Library, Atlanta
University Center
ETD Collection for AUC Robert W. Woodruff Library
7-1-2015
The social activism and theology of Adam Clayton
Powell, Jr.
Lauren D. Brisbon
Clark Atlanta University
Follow this and additional works at:http://digitalcommons.auctr.edu/dissertations
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Recommended Citation
Brisbon, Lauren D., "The social activism and theology of Adam Clayton Powell, Jr." (2015).ETD Collection for AUC Robert W.
Woodruff Library.Paper 3039.
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ABSTRACT
HUMANITIES DOCTORAL PROGRAM AND AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES,
AFRICANA WOMEN'S STUDIES, AND HISTORY
BRISBON, LAUREN D. M.A. MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY, 2003
THE SOCIAL ACTIVISM AND THEOLOGY OF
ADAM CLAYTON POWELL, JR.
Committee Chair: Stephanie Y. Evans, Ph.D.
Dissertation dated July 2015
This dissertation examines aneed forblacktheology and its impact on social
activism inthe theological community inthe United States. Blacktheology is a
necessary component inthe work ofatheologian. Inthis research, Adam Clayton
Powell, Jr.'s social activism is examined within the context ofblacktheology. Based on
this study, blacktheology provides atheological framework fortheologians to followto
become social agents intheir community.
Inthe 1960s, a group ofradical, African-American clergy interpreted Christianity
fromthe black American struggleperspective as it relates to freedom in America. Black
theology includes three contexts: "the Civil Rights Movement ofthe 1950s and 1960s,
largely associated with Martin Luther King, Jr.; the publication ofJoseph Washington's
book, BlackReligion (1964); and the rise ofthe BlackPowermovement, strongly
influenced by Malcolm X's philosophy ofblack nationalism."1
An examination ofthetheology ofAdam Clayton Powell, Jr., provides evidence
that blacktheology is aviable theology ofliberation inthe work ofsocial activism. A
growing number oftheologians are subscribing to prosperity theology. The most popular
venues that subscribeto prosperity theology are megachurches.2 Prosperity theology is
associated withthe following:
First, God grants all his faithful followers physical health and financial prosperity;
second, believers claimtheir divine right to wealth andhealththroughpositive
confession, financial offerings; third, the persistent faiththat Godmust fulfill his
promises exists; and fourth, faithpreachers oftenteachthat God can onlyrelease
his gifts whenhumanbeings fully submitto his will, evenwhenthe demanded
course ofaction contradicts secular logic.3
Ifmore African-Americantheologians subscribe to blacktheology, pastors and
their congregants would be in abetterpositionto advocate fortheir rights and forthe
rights ofothers. Ultimately, this researchwill prompt African-Americantheologians to
revisitblacktheology andto use it intheirwork as an instrument ofsocial protest.
1 JamesH.Cone, ForMyPeople: Black TheologyandtheBlackChurch(NewYork: Maryknoll,
1984), 5-6.
2J. MatthewWilson, ed., FromPews toPollingPlaces: FaithandPolitics intheAmerican
ReligiousMosaic(Washington, DC: GeorgetownUniversityPress, 2007), 148.
3 Kathleen Hladky, "IDouble-DogDareYouinJesus' Name! ClaimingChristian Wealthandthe
American ProsperityGospel," Religion Compass6,no. 1 (Jan. 2012): 82-83.
ii
THE SOCIAL ACTIVISM AND THEOLOGY OF
ADAM CLAYTON POWELL, JR.
A DISSERTATION
SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF CLARKATLANTA UNIVERSITY
IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS
FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
BY
LAUREN D. BRISBON
HUMANITIES DOCTORAL PROGRAM AND
DEPARTMENT OF AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES,
AFRICANA WOMEN'S STUDIES, AND HISTORY
ATLANTA, GEORGIA
JULY 2015
©2015
LAUREN D. BRISBON
All Rights Reserved
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
First, I would like to thank God for giving methe ability to pursue mytrue calling
and to be a blessing to others. I knowwith Godthat all things are possible. To my
parents, Ms. Emily FreemanBrisbon and Rev. Dr. David A. Brisbon, thankyou for all of
your love, prayers, and support. You have been my inspiration. To my brother, Kerry D.
Brisbon, I wantto thankyou for your encouragement and prayers.
Thanks to the members ofmy dissertation committee: Dr. Stephanie Y. Evans,
Dr. Charmayne Patterson, and Dr. Aubrey Underwood. You gave me the inspiration and
guidancethat I neededto become a good scholar. To Dr. Viktor Osinubi, thankyou for
mentoring me and advising me overthe past four years. To Dr. Marcellus Barksdale, Dr.
Ernestine Pickens-Glass, andthe Late Dr. Vincent Harding, thank you for your
encouragement and advice during my academicjourney. I would like to thankthe
Abyssinian Baptist Church Archives Ministry fortheir generosity in accommodating my
researchneeds. I am blessed to have so many caring familymembers and friends who
have beenmy support system. To Ms. RhodaDingle, the Late Ms. Sylvia Mickens, and
Dr. Kenneth Roberts, thankyou for always encouragingme to stay focused. Lastly,
thanks to my professors and fellow classmates at ClarkAtlantaUniversity for your
encouragement and support.
in
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS iii
CHAPTER 1 BLACK THEOLOGY AND SOCIAL ACTIVISM 1
Research Questions 2
Chapter Organization 3
Research Methodology 4
CHAPTER2 THE IMPACT OF BLACK THEOLOGY 40
Proponents ofBlack Theology 49
Critics ofBlack Theology 61
CHAPTER 3 FIGHTING ADAM 84
The Theology ofAdam ClaytonPowell, Sr 85
The Theology ofAdam ClaytonPowell, Jr 122
Political Activism ofAdam ClaytonPowell, Jr 146
CHAPTER4 ANALYSIS OF THE IMPACT OF BLACK THEOLOGY
ON POWELL'S SERMONS AND SPEECHES 205
Powell's Sermons 206
Powell's Speeches 218
CHAPTER 5 CONCLUSION 233
Social Implications ofPowell's Theology 234
BIBLIOGRAPHY 262
IV
CHAPTER 1
BLACK THEOLOGY AND SOCIAL ACTIVISM
Inthis study, the interrelationship ofsocial activism andthe theology ofAdam
ClaytonPowell, Jr., played a significantrole in advocating civil rights for African
Americans. Specifically, this work exploresthe evolution ofPowell's theology as it
relates to his ministry andhis political activism. This work establishes Powell as the
father ofblacktheology and examines the impact ofhis theology on his social activism.
Based onthis research, theologians may be more inclinedto subscribe to black
theology as amechanismto hone their social activism intheir communities. Presently,
with poor social conditions mounting in communities throughoutthe United States, a
solution is needed to restorejustice. The church and state are inextricably connected. By
subscribingto blacktheology, theologians are able to develop amilitant stance to
withstandthe obstacles thatthey encounter in fighting forjustice and leading individuals
to salvation.
Many theologians are eagerto getmedia attention or are led into alifestyle of
self-indulgence. Thetime has come fortheologians to become accountable to their
calling and to their communities. Powell is used as an example ofan African-American
theologianwho successfully subscribed to blacktheology, strategically, as ameans to
gainthe investment ofAfrican Americans inthe struggle for equality. Blacktheologians
shouldrevisitblacktheology in an effortto advocate forthe oppressed community.
1
2
Research Questions
This study seeks to answerthe following questions regarding blacktheology's
impact on social activism and oncivil rights:
1) How did Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.'s theology impact his social activism?
2) How didAdam ClaytonPowell, Jr. use blacktheologyto empowerAfrican
Americans in advocating fortheir Civil Rights Movement?
3) How didblack theology empowerAdam Clayton Powell, Jr.?
4) What are the social implications ofhis theology?
In supporting blacktheology, this study answers the aforementioned questions
and provides applicabilityto the relevance ofblacktheology as an instrument ofprotest
in advocating for civil rights. Chaptertwo provides an answerto questionthree. It
presents a discussiononthe utility ofblacktheology from distinguished scholars. This
chapter demonstrates howblacktheology empowers theologians intheirministry and in
their social activism.
In chapters three and four provide an answer for questions one, two, andthree.
These chapters reveal howblack theology impacted Powell's theology and his social
activism. Chapter five provides an answerfor question four. This chapter describes
Powell's legacy andthe relevance ofblacktheology today, particularly at Abyssinian
Baptist Church.
Chapter Organization
This study is organized into five chapters. Chapter one describes the research
methodology inthis study. Moreover, it defines social activism andblacktheology. It
explores howblacktheology impacts atheologian's work in social activism. Chaptertwo
is aliterature review, which explores the various views by some theologians onthe
subject ofblacktheology. This chapter surveys the secondary researchthat identifies key
elements, which substantiates the existence and the need forblacktheology.
Chapterthree examines blacktheology's impact onthe social activism ofAdam
ClaytonPowell, Jr. The beginning ofthe chapter explores the theology ofAdam Clayton
Powell, Sr. It is importantto start with a discussion on Powell, Sr.'s theology, since his
theology heavily influencedthe theology ofhis son, Adam ClaytonPowell, Jr. It
explains howPowell, Sr. providedthe foundation for social activism atAbyssinian
Baptist Church. Equally important, it explores Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.'s life as a
preacher and civil rights activist. It is importantto examine the various roles ofPowell
and howthese roles allowedhim to use the precepts ofblacktheologyto transform his
work in social activism.
Chapter four analyzes some ofPowell's most memorable sermons and speeches
withinthe frameworkofblacktheology. Chapter five discusses Powell's theology and
the impactofhis legacy on AbyssinianBaptist Church. It also includes the relevance of
black theology intoday's society.