Author: Tunde Adeleke (Iowa State University)

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ABSTRACT

Several scholars have acknowledged the otherworldly character of black religion in America. From its inception in the late 18th century, the black church had preached a providential theology that aspired for a better and compensatory world to come. This theology provoked conflict with the bourgeoning black abolitionist movement of the early 19th century. The disagreement centered on the adoption of moral suasion as abolitionist philosophy. The early phase of Martin Delany’s abolitionist career was the theater of this conflict. Delany publicly challenged the leading black churches on the problematic nature of otherworldly theology. He proposed a secular approach that emphasized human agency instead.