Even though the practice of religion was outlawed for slaves beginning in the early 1600s, they often met in secret to worship; nothing could erase their belief in God and their commitment to family. In Black Religiosity: A Biblical and Historical Perspective, Dr. E. G. Sherman presents a collection of essays focusing on the eclectic religious experiences of the African American people from the beginning of slavery in 1619 through emancipation in 1863.
Through these previously voiced sermons and lectures, Sherman documents the fact that African descendants were exposed to and participated in Christianity even before the advent of slavery. It communicates the emphasis the enslaved people placed on God as they coped with inhumane conditions and how their faith, prayer, and worship helped them survive and leave a legacy.
Black Religiosity: A Biblical and Historical Perspective serves as a practical resource and reference reviewing the early black religious experiences and the importance of that spiritual anchor.