Antiracist Hermeneutics: Reading Genesis 9
One of the most notorious examples of the Bible being weaponized to justify anti-Black racism involves interpretations of Genesis 9:18-29, a story often mislabeled “the curse of Ham,” in which Noah curses his grandson Canaan to be a “slave of slaves.”
Thankfully, today’s books and Bible commentaries constantly say this passage should not be used to support racism—that it is not about race or does not justify subjugating Black people. In this seminar we will explore why racist interpretations of Noah’s curse still pose a problem in the twenty-first century, why anti-racist interpretations usually don’t fix the problem, and how else we might better interpret the passage.
Who Should Attend
|
Pastors will gain valuable insights into how Genesis was used to justify racial injustice, and how they can promote a more accurate and inclusive reading. |
|
Lay leaders will deepen their understanding of how Genesis 9:18-29 has been misinterpreted to support racism and learn ways to foster inclusive readings of Scripture. |
|
Congregation Educators will gain critical tools on how to counter the racist interpretations of Genesis 9:18-29, and how to promote an anti-racist understanding of scripture. |
Over four seminar sessions, you will:
- Understand a broad historical outline of the history of consequences of Noah’s curse through brief lectures, engaging in discussion, and viewing interpretations across time.
- Refine their skills at close reading and coherent interpretation according to literary contexts by reading Genesis 9:18–29 closely and in dialogue with one another.
- Develop strategies for identifying and combating latent racism in today’s interpretation of the Bible through discussion and analysis of contemporary interpretations of Noah’s curse.
How It Works
Session Dates:Thursday, February 27, 2025
Thursday, March 6, 2025
Thursday, March 13, 2025
Thursday, March 20, 2025
Duration/Time:7:00-9:00 p.m. ET
7:00-9:00 p.m. ET
7:00-9:00 p.m. ET
7:00-9:00 p.m. ET
Price:$399 for four sessions
Facilitator
Dr. Justin Michael Reed
Justin Michael Reed is associate professor of Old Testament/Hebrew Bible at Louisville Seminary. His forthcoming book, The Injustice of Noah’s Curse (Oxford University Press, 2025), combines his interests in how readers make meanings of texts, the consequences of our interpretations across time, and how critical study of race and ethnicity can inform our readings of the Bible. Examples of his publications and more can be found on his personal website.