Black Fundamentalists

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This book reveals the significant role of Black Fundamentalists in the early twentieth century, challenging the notion that fundamentalism was solely a white phenomenon. As the modernist-fundamentalist controversy intensified, the image of the "fighting fundamentalist" became ingrained in American culture, often depicted as a strident, white preacher. However, this volume uncovers the voices of Black Christians who embraced fundamentalist doctrines and identified as such. Early twentieth-century fundamentalists felt compelled to defend core Christian beliefs—like biblical inerrancy and the divinity of Christ—against perceived modernist threats. These concerns were shared by Black Christians, despite Jim Crow laws that marginalized them from prominent white fundamentalist institutions. While Black fundamentalists aligned with their white counterparts on theological issues, they often applied their conservative beliefs in more progressive, racially aware ways. For instance, while white fundamentalists focused on opposing evolution, Black fundamentalists connected their faith to advocacy for public education reforms, voting rights, and the repeal of intermarriage bans. Daniel R. Bare illustrates how these historical dynamics reveal broader themes about the influence of racial context on religious expression, themes that remain relevant today.