The Color of Christ: The Son of God and the Saga of Race in America

353 Pages·2012·3.67 MB·English

by  Edward J. Blum

praise for The Color of Christ
“Edward Blum and Paul Harvey’s masterful book is a breath of fresh air
in our toxic religious culture of learned ignorance and unlearned bigotry.”
cornel west
—
“In starkly poetic prose, this book takes a seemingly simple idea—examine
evolving depictions of Jesus in America—and delivers punch after punch.
Blum and Harvey provide a new, paradigm-changing window into the issues
of race, religion, and power. Anyone wanting to grasp the depth of religion
and race in the United States needs this book. It will transform what you
michael o. emerson
thought you knew.”— , Rice University, author of
Divided by Faith: Evangelical Religion and the Problem of Race in America
“An original, impressive, and eye-opening work—as compelling in its vivid
detail as it is astonishing in its immense historical sweep. The Color of Christ
sets a new standard and establishes a new starting point for anyone interested
in the intersection of race and religiosity in the United States. An illuminating
matthew frye jacobson
study, for which we will long be indebted.”— ,
author of Whiteness of a Different Color: European Immigrants and the Alchemy
of Race
“Blum and Harvey are two of the most talented scholars of race and religion in
the United States, and this pathbreaking book integrates important historical
analysis with beautiful and compelling narrative. The Color of Christ bril-
liantly draws on original research, the latest scholarship, and popular culture
matthew
to transform the ways that we see Jesus past and present.”—
avery sutton
, author of Aimee Semple McPherson and the Resurrection of
Christian America
“The refreshing and engaging story of how the concept of white Jesus was ap-
propriated and used by Americans of all ethnicities to support their cultural,
social, and religious intentions. Blum and Harvey’s solid historical writing
and deft use of material culture and media bring a fresh viewpoint to the sub-
anthea butler
ject of race and religion in America.”— , author of Women in
the Church of God in Christ: Making a Sanctified World
“Both finely wrought interpretation and sweeping synthesis, The Color of
Christ lays bare the racial transformations, political challenges, and deep
ironies embodied in the image of Jesus. Edward Blum and Paul Harvey offer
a compelling new view of race, religion, iconography . . . and America itself.”
philip j. deloria
— , Carroll Smith-Rosenberg Collegiate Professor of
History and American Studies, University of Michigan
“A sweeping study with a bold argument, clear style, and narrative power.
Blum and Harvey explore how white Americans remade Jesus into a white
icon. At the same time, they delve into the contested nature of Jesus, with
many groups finding their own meanings in him. This is a book of surprises,
covering new ground and inviting readers to keep reading to see what new
configurations of Jesus will take place around such major events as wars,
economic depressions, social justice movements, and theological move-
charles reagan wilson
ments.”— , Kelly Gene Cook Sr. Chair in History
and Professor of Southern Studies at the University of Mississippi
“In The Color of Christ, two of our finest historians track the changing portray-
als of Jesus in American life against the vicissitudes of history, especially the
troubled waters of race relations. In so doing, they have produced a splendid
book as well as a unique perspective on American religious history. This is not
the first study of the images of Christ in American history, but it is indisput-
randall balmer
ably the best.”— , Dartmouth College
the color of christ

.
EDWARD J BLUM PAUL HARVEY

COLOR
TH E OF
C H R I S T

THE SON OF GOD & THE SAGA OF

RACE IN AMERICA
The University of North Carolina Press Chapel Hill
© 2012 the university of north carolina press
All rights reserved. Manufactured in the United States of America.
Designed by Sally Fry and set in Charter and The Sans by Rebecca Evans.
The paper in this book meets the guidelines for permanence and durability
of the Committee on Production Guidelines for Book Longevity of the
Council on Library Resources. The University of North Carolina Press
has been a member of the Green Press Initiative since 2003.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Blum, Edward J.
The color of Christ : the Son of God and the saga of race in America /
Edward J. Blum and Paul Harvey.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references (p. ) and index.
isbn 978-0-8078-3572-2
1. Jesus Christ. 2. United States—Church history. 3. Racism—Religious
aspects—Christianity. 4. Racism—United States. 5. African Americans—
Religion. 6. Indians of North America—Religion. I. Harvey, Paul,
1961– II. Title.
br515.b59 2012
232— dc23 2012004088
16 15 14 13 12 5 4 3 2 1
elijah james blum,
In memory of

December 12, 2010–August 31, 2011
Mom, Dad, and Uncle Paul miss you
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contents
prologue 1
introduction: The Holy Face of Race 7
part i: born across the sea
1 When Christ Crossed the Atlantic 27
2 Revolutionary Visions in Colonial Confines 53
3 From Light to White in the Early Republic 76
part ii: crucified and resurrected
4 Body Battles in Antebellum America 105
5 Christ in the Camps 120
6 Nordic and Nativist in an Age of Imperialism 141
part iii: ascended and still ascending
7 The Great Commission in the Great Depression 173
8 Civil Rights and the Coloring of Christ 205
9 A Deity in the Digital Age 234
epilogue: Jesus Jokes 266
acknowledgments 279
notes 283
index 327