New York City, New York Jun 1, 2026 (Issuewire.com) - Scholar and theologian Dr. Cory J. May presents a bold and deeply researched examination of colonial African-American Christianity in his book, An Introduction to Colonial African-American Evangelical Theology: Colonial Identities, Sense of Belonging, and Shared Space (Pickwick Publications, ISBN: 9781752579735).
Blending African American Studies, Christian Theology, History, and Literature, the book investigates the overlooked voices and authentic faith of colonial Black evangelical Christians whose theological influence helped shape conversations surrounding identity, belonging, race, and Christian community within early America.
Through detailed engagement with influential historical figures and theological traditions, May asks difficult and important questions: Who were the early pioneers of colonial African-American Christianity? Did these believers define themselves primarily through race or through their Christian faith? How did they understand belonging and coexistence within deeply divided colonial spaces?
For generations, the faith and theological contributions of colonial African-American evangelicals have often been minimized, neglected, or filtered through modern political interpretations. An Introduction to Colonial African-American Evangelical Theology challenges those assumptions by examining how many colonial Black Christians embodied and articulated a deeply rooted evangelical faith that transcended contemporary ideological categories.
The book also highlights the lives and contributions of pioneering African-American Christian women, including Jarena Lee, Maria W. Stewart, Julia A. J. Foote, and others whose ministries and writings shaped the spiritual and intellectual landscape of African-American Christianity.
The book explores how some colonial Black evangelicals embodied the essence of Christianity. It seeks to bring renewed attention to voices that have too often been ignored or misunderstood.
Drawing from theology, slave narratives, church history, literature, and cultural analysis, the book offers readers an introduction to the conservative evangelical tradition within African-American Christianity while opening broader conversations about faith, race, reconciliation, and historical memory.
Cory J. May, Ph.D., is Assistant Professor of Theological and Historical Theology at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma. His research focuses on African American Christianity, American Religion, Black Theology, Martin Luther King Jr. studies, Political Theology, Reinhold Niebuhr studies, and race.
Connect with Dr. May online:
Website: https://cory-j-may.author-pages.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cory-may-35351130/
An Introduction to Colonial African-American Evangelical Theology is available from major retailers, including Amazon.
Book Details
Title: An Introduction to Colonial African-American Evangelical Theology: Colonial Identities, Sense of Belonging, and Shared Space
Author: Cory J. May
Publisher: Pickwick Publications
Published: February 4, 2025
ISBN: 9781752579735
Genres: African American Studies, Christian Theology, History, Literature
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