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LIBERTY UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY The Relationship between Christianity and Slavery: An Examination of the Defense of Slavery within Christian Thought, Practices and Methodologies from 1619-1865. A Dissertation Submitted by Decorie Smith In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in History Presented to the Department of History in the College of Arts and Sciences at Liberty University Lynchburg, Virginia April 11, 2023 Doctoral Dissertation Committee: Director: Dr. David Crum Reader: Dr. Matthew Hill Reader: Dr. Joesph Super

iii Abstract Slavery in the Unitred States was supported by individual Christians who skillfully mastered how to manipulate the Bible as justification for enslaving Africans and their descendates. Therefore, the examination of the relationship between Christianity and slavery within the United States and the greater western civilizations − explores the impact of Christian institutions on African Americans − investages the influence of Christianis relationship with slavery on all the descendants of enslaved African culture as the plural societies within this relationship’s functions. So far, two perspectives have emerged in the study of the existence of such an connectiuon. The first, which may be termed as “Proslavery Christians” examines the stance in which many slaveholders and prominent defenders of slavery accepted slavery in the broadest sense of the term. Their experiences and outlooks may best be seen in their commitment to reducing the value of African Americans while holding Christian morals. Therefore, their rejection of Africa and its people as significant offers justification for their desire to utilize Christianity to support their treatment of enslaved Africans and their descendants. Additionally, their willingness to justify the cruelty of the peculiar institution of slavery has defined the experiences of Africans whether enslaved or free. The second school of thought, a term just as broadly, “Antislavery Christians” sees enslaved Africans and their descendants as valuable believers in the faith that has endured one of the coldest hand of bondage and have been able to fashion themselves into a culture of believers nonetheless.

iv Acknowledgements To my beloved wife who has blessed me and accepted my hand in marriage, our love has created a union that has exceeded any of my expectations. Your support in this process has led me to the realization of your unconditional love for me, which comes second only to God, thank you!!! A special thanks goes to Dr. David Crum, your endurance and ability to reassure me that I was providing meaningful content has always been beneficial. To Dr. Matthew Hill, your ability to provide primary sources worth exploring permitted so many different avenues of research to make its way into these pages, and to Dr. Joseph Super, your desire to challenged me has allowed this exploration into the past to introduce me to other perspectives that I would not had willingly taking into consideration.

v Contents Illustrations ..................................................................................................................................... vi Abbreviations ................................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined. Chapter 1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 1 Chapter 2 The Argument for slavery ............................................................................................. 62 Chapter 3 The interpretation of the Bible .................................................................................... 105 Chapter 4 The Perception(s) of slavery ................................................................................... 11489 Chapter 5 The Assumptions of slavery ....................................................................................... 189 Chapter 6 Conclusion .................................................................................................................. 231 Bibliography ................................................................................................................................ 246

vi Illustrations Figures Figure 1. The Benevolent Planters by Thomas Bellamy. ......................................................................... 160 Tables Table 1. Transatlantic Slave Trade Database of 1867 ................................................................. 150

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