The Creation of Adam and the Biblical Origins of Race in The Slave’s Friend (1836–1838)
Open accessAbstract
The creation of Adam out of dust is a familiar tradition from the Book of Genesis. In abolitionist literature of the nineteenth century, this biblical narrative became the basis for a theory about the origins of race, arguing that because Adam was formed from red clay, neither he nor his descendants were white. This interpretation of Genesis underscored the value of non-white ancestors both in the biblical narrative and in human history and undermined popular theological arguments that upheld color-based racial hierarchies that privileged whiteness in the United States. This article examines the creation of Adam in Genesis 2 and its use in racial theory and abolitionist rhetoric, focusing on the children’s anti-slavery periodical The Slave’s Friend, published from 1836 to 1838.
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TL;DR
This article argues that the children’s abolitionist periodical *The Slave’s Friend* (1836–1838) used Genesis 2’s creation of Adam from red clay to construct a biblical origin of race in which Adam and his descendants were not white, thereby de-centering whiteness and supporting emancipation. It contrasts this abolitionist mythmaking with proslavery writer Josiah Priest’s 1843 counter-reading, which conceded Adam’s redness but subordinated it to the Curse of Ham and divine intervention making Japheth white and Ham Black.
Key findings
- *The Slave’s Friend* was a 16-page monthly published by the New York Anti-Slavery Society, edited by Lewis Tappan, running 38 issues in four volumes from 1836 to 1838, aimed at white children ages six to twelve; it repeatedly interpreted Adam as made from red clay.
- In its “Anti-Slavery Catechism,” the periodical asks “Of what color was Adam?” and answers “The color of red clay”; it asserts all Adam’s children and Noah’s sons were the same color, that racial difference is chiefly owing to climate, and that “the blood of all is alike,” citing Acts 17:26.
- Rev. J. H. Martyn’s remarks in the periodical state: “He did not make Adam white. He was red . . . Adam means red clay, and God formed him of red clay. Jesus was not white,” and argue that God regards conduct, not complexion.
- Josiah Priest’s 1843 *Slavery, As It Relates to the Negro, Or African Race* acknowledges Adam and the antediluvian race were “red or a copper colored people” but argues God supernaturally made Japheth white and Ham Black in the womb, restoring a proslavery racial hierarchy tied to Genesis 9.
Methods
- Historical and textual analysis of *The Slave’s Friend* (1836–1838), a children’s anti-slavery periodical, focusing on its biblical hermeneutics and pedagogical use of Proverbs.
- Comparative reading of abolitionist exegesis of Genesis 2 with the proslavery counter-narrative in Josiah Priest’s 1843 *Slavery, As It Relates to the Negro, Or African Race*.
- Analysis framed by myth theory (Lincoln, McCutcheon, Castelli) and attention to Hebrew terms for dust/clay (e.g., ʿāpār, ḥōmer, ʾădāmâ) and ancient/early modern interpretation (Josephus, Irenaeus, Cotton Mather).
Limitations
- The paper states no formal limitations section. Evident from its scope: it focuses on *The Slave’s Friend* and one proslavery counterexample (Priest), not a comprehensive survey of all nineteenth-century uses of Adam.
- The paper notes scholarly debate over whether clay appears in Genesis 2’s creation of Adam at all, citing Westermann’s argument that the dust is not moistened into clay; the author rejects that reading, but the interpretive contest remains.
- The text also notes that *The Slave’s Friend*’s own rhetoric about Blackness/whiteness is inconsistent and that its white abolitionist paternalism upheld racial and class hierarchies (citing Sánchez-Eppler, Keralis, Ryan); these are limitations of the source, not the article’s method.
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Claims the paper makes
0 of 39 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged
- Findingown data
Anti-slavery writers featured in The Slave's Friend used a particular reading of the creation of Adam, focusing on the redness of this clay, to create a biblical origin story for race.
“Anti-slavery writers such as those featured in the periodical used a particular reading of the creation of Adam, focusing on the redness of this clay, to create a biblical origin story for race.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingcitation
This understanding of whiteness is not consistent among abolitionist writers.
“This understanding of whiteness is not consistent among abolitionist writers, however.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingnone given
One of the most frequently cited biblical passages throughout The Slave's Friend is Proverbs 31:8-9.
“Both the form and content of The Slave's Friend reflect the influence of the Book of Proverbs on its approach to instructing children about slavery and abolition, and one of the most frequently cited biblical passages throughout the series is Proverbs 31:8-9:”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingnone given
In abolitionist literature of the nineteenth century, the biblical narrative of the creation of Adam became the basis for a theory about the origins of race, arguing that because Adam was formed from red clay, neither he nor his descendants were white.
“In abolitionist literature of the nineteenth century, this biblical narrative became the basis for a theory about the origins of race, arguing that because Adam was formed from red clay, neither he nor his descendants were white.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingreasoning
The Slave's Friend constructs its own theory of the origins of race in order to undermine alternative views of biblically based racial hierarchy.
“Drawing upon the material imagery in the biblical narrative, The Slave's Friend constructs its own theory of the origins of race in order to undermine alternative views of biblically based racial hierarchy.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
- Findingreasoning
A fundamental part of the pedagogical apparatus at work in The Slave's Friend is its use of the Book of Proverbs.
“A fundamental part of the dynamics of the pedagogical apparatus at work in The Slave's Friend is its use of the Book of Proverbs.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingown data
In a dialogue between a father and a daughter, imagery of dry, inert dust is used in contradistinction to creation in Genesis to evoke slavery's desecration of that creation.
“the imagery of dry, inert dust appears in contradistinction to creation in Genesis, and it is used to evoke the desecration of that creation by slavery”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingnone given
Abolitionist writers in the nineteenth century adopt the metaphor of clay, particularly the creation of Adam from red clay, and use it to construct their own theories of race and human origins.
“Abolitionist writers in the nineteenth century adopt this metaphor of clay, particularly the creation of Adam from red clay, and use it to construct their own theories of race and human origins.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingreasoning
Amidst growing tensions between abolitionist and proslavery forces, writers on both sides appealed to foundational myths, both biblical and national, to support their own taxonomies of race.
“Amidst the growing tensions between abolitionist and proslavery forces, writers on both sides appealed to foundational myths-both biblical and national-to support their own taxonomies of race.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingcitation
Alexander McLeod differs from the biblical interpretation of The Slave's Friend in his assumption of the primacy of whiteness.
“Alexander McLeod differs from the biblical interpretation of The Slave's Friend in his assumption of the primacy of whiteness”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites McLeod 1860
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- Findingcitation
Priest concedes that Adam was not white but red in color.
“Here, he concedes the point that Adam was not white but red in color.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Priest 1843
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- Findingcitation
This etymological argument about Ham's name and the origins of Blackness also appears in Mather's commentary.
“This etymological argument about Ham's name and the origins of Blackness also appears in Mather's commentary”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Mather
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- Interpretationreasoning
In the hands of proslavery writers such as Josiah Priest, the non-whiteness of Adam, while acknowledged, is subordinated to the Curse of Ham and the system of white supremacy associated with it.
“However, in the hands of proslavery writers such as Josiah Priest, the non-whiteness of Adam, while acknowledged, is subordinated to the Curse of Ham and the system of white supremacy associated with it.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Premisecitation
The idea that physical difference is the result of climate was already a well-attested theory in abolitionist thought regarding racial difference.
“In fact, this idea that physical difference is the result of climate was already a well-attested theory in abolitionist thought regarding racial difference (see, e.g., Hopkins [1776] 1785, p. 26).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Hopkins [1776] 1785, p. 26
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- Interpretationreasoning
These writers adopt and adapt these myths in different ways, culminating in diametrically opposed taxonomies of race.
“As we can see from the exegesis quoted above, they adopt and adapt these myths in different ways, culminating in diametrically opposed taxonomies of race.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationreasoning
At the core of the interpretation of ădāmâ as red clay in The Slave's Friend is an implicit argument about origins and value.
“ădāmâ as red clay in The Slave's Friend is an implicit argument about origins and value.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationreasoning
The verb used for the formation of Adam in Genesis 2:7, yās .ar, is closely associated with the manipulation of clay elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible, making Westermann's argument somewhat less convincing.
“Nevertheless, the verb used for the formation of Adam in v. 7, yās .ar, is closely associated with the manipulation of clay elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible, making Westermann's argument somewhat less convincing.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Interpretationreasoning
In the hands of abolitionist writers such as those in The Slave's Friend, the red clay of Adam's creation legitimates a reconfiguration of racial hierarchy that de-centers whiteness because Adam himself was red, not white.
“In the hands of abolitionist writers, such as those featured in The Slave's Friend, the red clay of Adam's creation legitimates a reconfiguration of racial hierarchy that de-centers whiteness in the biblical narrative because Adam himself was red, not white.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Premisecitation
The distant past is commonly understood as a reliable, even divinely inspired, template for contemporary society in nineteenth-century theology and the Hebrew Bible.
“the common understanding of the distant past as a reliable-even divinely inspired-template for contemporary society, both in nineteenth-century theology and the Hebrew Bible itself.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites [35] McLeod, Alexander (1860). Negro Slavery Unjustifiable: A Discourse by the Late Alexander McLeod, D.D., Alexander McLeod. [10th ed.].
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- Premisecitation
The intended audience for The Slave's Friend was white children, ages six to twelve.
“The intended audience for the publication was made up of white children, ages six to twelve (Geist 1999, p. 28), and the diminutive size of the periodical, measuring 3 by 4.25 inches, visually reflects that young readership.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Geist 1999, p. 28
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- Interpretationreasoning
Dust is set in contrast to the clay of creation and helps the writer argue that slavery seeks to undo God's creativity and workmanship.
“Dust is set in stark contrast to the clay of creation and helps the writer make the point that slavery seeks to undo the creativity and workmanship of God himself.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationreasoning
The valuation of the dust and its land of origin is reflected in how that material is used to form Adam's body.
“In this case, the valuation of the dust and, by extension, its land of origin is then reflected in how that material is used to form Adam's body.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationcitation
The biblical account of racial origins in The Slave's Friend does not treat whiteness as prima facie but as a later, post-biblical development.
“This biblical account of racial origins does not treat whiteness as prima facie but as a later, post-biblical development.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites [34] Braun, Willi, and McCutcheon, Russell T. (1999). Myth. Guide to the Study of Religion, Cassell.
Not checked in the free run.
- Interpretationreasoning
When the Anti-Slavery Catechism refers to Noah's sons and their skin color, it implicitly undermines the proslavery argument about racial hierarchy that depended on the Curse of Ham.
“When the “Anti-Slavery Catechism” quoted above refers specifically to Noah's sons and their skin color, it implicitly undermines the proslavery argument about racial hierarchy that depended on the Curse of Ham.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Premisecitation
Rabbinic commentary on Genesis emphasizes Adam's materiality by sourcing the dust of his creation from different parts of the world.
“Rabbinic commentary on Genesis also emphasizes Adam's materiality by sourcing the dust of his creation from different parts of the world”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites b Sanhedrin 38b
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- Interpretationreasoning
Material imagery is often bound up with the discourse of race in the Bible.
“As I have argued throughout this essay, material imagery is often bound up with that discourse.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Premisecitation
For exegetes such as Irenaeus of Lyons, the materiality of Adam's creation was a potent metaphor for subject formation and one's obedience to God.
“More importantly, for exegetes such as Irenaeus of Lyons, the materiality of Adam's creation was a potent metaphor for subject formation and one's obedience to God.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Interpretationcitation
Both ancient and modern interpreters did read the materiality of Adam as red clay.
“Regardless of the protestations of scholars such as Westermann who argue that clay plays no role in the creation of Adam, it is quite clear that both ancient and modern interpreters did read the materiality of Adam in this way.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationcitation
The social dynamic of mythmaking McCutcheon describes helps make sense of the interpretation of the creation of Adam in nineteenth-century racial discourse in the United States.
“The social dynamic of mythmaking McCutcheon describes helps make sense of the interpretation of the creation of Adam in nineteenth-century racial discourse in the United States.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites McCutcheon 1999
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- Interpretationreasoning
The use of the creation of Adam in both abolitionist and proslavery literature demonstrates the potency and malleability of this myth in articulating a biblical taxonomy of race.
“Its use in both abolitionist and proslavery literature demonstrates both the potency and malleability of this myth in articulating a biblical taxonomy of race.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
- Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 85
- May combine two claims. 40
Classified as probably not a substantial claim.
FindingcitationAccording to Priest, divine intervention made Japheth white and Ham Black.
“According to Priest, it was divine intervention that made Japheth white and Ham Black.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Priest 1843
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
May combine two claims.
FindingcitationIn 1843, Josiah Priest published Slavery, As It Relates to the Negro, Or African Race, in which he acknowledges the non-whiteness of Adam but undermines its use in abolitionist rhetoric.
“In 1843, Josiah Priest published his book Slavery, As It Relates to the Negro, Or African Race, in which he offers a retelling of the biblical narrative that acknowledges the non-whiteness of Adam but undermines its use in abolitionist rhetoric”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Priest 1843
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
Classified as probably not a substantial claim.
FindingreasoningIn the case of the creation of Adam, the focus shifted to the color assigned to early biblical characters.
“In the case of the creation of Adam, the focus shifted to the color assigned to early biblical characters.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.
FindingcitationPriest attributes great authority to Noah's word choice in naming his sons, referring to the language as true Antediluvian Adamic or Hebrew language and Noachian language, which he claims is identical to ancient Egyptian in the time of Abraham.
“Priest attributes great authority to the word choice of Noah in naming his sons, at times referring to such language as the “true Antediluvian Adamic or Hebrew language” and “Noachian language,” the latter of which he claims is identical to ancient Egyptian in the time of Abraham”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Priest 1843
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.
Findingnone givenAccording to the theory in The Slave's Friend, Adam himself was made from red clay, making neither him nor his descendants white.
“According to this theory, Adam himself was made from red clay, making neither him nor his descendants white.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.
Findingown dataThis particular depiction of different races is featured multiple times in The Slave's Friend, appearing again in the next year's volume.
“This particular depiction of different races is featured multiple times in The Slave's Friend, appearing again in the next year's volume:”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.
FindingcitationPriest grounds his interpretation of the creation of Adam in dubious Hebrew etymology, claiming biblical word choice points toward a particular understanding of human origins and race.
“Citing the work of Josephus, Priest grounds his interpretation of the creation of Adam in dubious Hebrew etymology, claiming that biblical word choice points toward a particular understanding of human origins and race.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Josephus
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
FindingreasoningA common type of text featured in The Slave's Friend is a dialogue between parent and child, reminiscent of a parent's instruction in biblical wisdom literature.
“In addition to explicit quotations of Proverbs, a common type of text featured in The Slave's Friend is a dialogue between parent and child, reminiscent of a parent's instruction in biblical wisdom literature.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim.
FindingcitationPriest argues that the name Ham refers to his dark complexion.
“Priest argues that the name Ham refers to his dark complexion”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Priest 1843
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
Classified as probably not a substantial claim.
FindingcitationPriest argues that God interceded in the womb of Noah's wife and changed the complexions of two of her sons, circumventing the laws of nature.
“Instead, Priest argues, God himself interceded in the womb of Noah's wife and changed the complexions of two of her sons, thus circumventing the laws of nature”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Priest 1843
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
Classified as probably not a substantial claim.
FindingreasoningA common thread running through this discourse is the adjudication of what race actually is and where it originates.
“A common thread running through this discourse is the adjudication of what race actually is and where it originates.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim.
FindingreasoningThis paternalistic pedagogy prevails throughout The Slave's Friend, including the notes from the editor.
“This paternalistic pedagogy prevails throughout The Slave's Friend, including the notes from the editor.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).
Findingnone givenProslavery interpreters often resorted to the Curse of Ham in Genesis 9, arguing that the geographic dispersal of Noah's descendants supported racial distinctions of human populations around the world.
“Proslavery interpreters often resorted to the Curse of Ham in Genesis 9, arguing that the geographic dispersal of Noah's descendants supported the racial distinctions of human populations around the world.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
FindingcitationOther scholars have noted that rhetoric about Blackness and whiteness is inconsistent in The Slave's Friend itself.
“Other scholars have also noted that rhetoric about Blackness and whiteness is inconsistent in The Slave's Friend itself.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Sánchez-Eppler 1988 source
Classified as probably not a substantial claim.
FindingcitationMartyn states that Adam was red like the clay from which Yahweh Elohim formed him.
“this excerpt from the remarks of Martyn states that Adam was red like the clay from which Yahweh Elohim formed him.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).
Findingnone givenThe Slave's Friend frequently draws upon the Book of Proverbs and its paternalistic model for educating children and inculcating them with particular values.
“As a periodical designed for a young audience, it frequently draws upon the Book of Proverbs and its paternalistic model for educating children and inculcating them with particular values.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimMay combine two claims.
FindingcitationPriest acknowledges and dismisses claims that climate, geography, and habits are responsible for racial diversity among modern humans.
“He acknowledges and dismisses the antiquated claims that climate, geography, and certain habits are responsible for racial diversity among modern human beings.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Priest 1843
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.
FindingreasoningThe Slave's Friend featured a diverse assortment of items, including proceedings from the Juvenile Anti-Slavery Society, woodcut illustrations, literary vignettes about abolitionist children and enslaved persons, anti-slavery poetry, and brief pieces of theological reflection.
“Targeting such an audience, The Slave's Friend featured a diverse assortment of items within its pages, including proceedings from the Juvenile Anti-Slavery Society, woodcut illustrations, literary vignettes about abolitionist children and enslaved persons, anti-slavery poetry, and brief pieces of theological reflection.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimMay combine two claims.
FindingreasoningWriters engaged in the racial discourse of the nineteenth century tried to locate race in the Bible, and they sometimes found it in myths of early human formation.
“Writers engaged in the racial discourse of the nineteenth century tried to locate race in the Bible, and they sometimes found it in these myths of early human formation.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim.
Findingown dataThis discourse about Adam, clay, and skin color is a running theme throughout The Slave's Friend.
“This discourse about Adam, clay, and skin color is a running theme throughout The Slave's Friend.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).
Findingnone givenProslavery interpretations of the red clay in the creation of Adam provide a counter-narrative to the biblical taxonomy of race promoted by The Slave's Friend.
“As one might expect, it also appears in proslavery interpretations of the red clay in the creation of Adam, which provides a counter-narrative to the biblical taxonomy of race promoted by The Slave's Friend.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimMay combine two claims.
Findingnone givenThe woodcut illustration on the cover of nearly all issues of The Slave's Friend in 1836 depicts a white man teaching Black children, juxtaposed with a quotation from Proverbs 15:7.
“The woodcut illustration above appears on the cover of nearly all issues of The Slave's Friend in 1836, and it clearly depicts this paternalistic dynamic—a scene in which a white man teaches Black children is juxtaposed with a quotation from Proverbs 15:7.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim.
FindingcitationPriest says the entrance of sin into Adam and Eve changed their natures and complexion from red to the dark hue of common copper.
“Priest goes on to say that the entrance of sin into the bodies of Adam and Eve changed not only their natures but also their complexion, turning it from red to the “dark hue of common copper.””
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Priest 1843
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
May combine two claims.
Findingnone givenProslavery apologists inherited the interpretive tradition of Adam's red clay and sought to manage their anxiety about it by rewriting the creation of Adam, as in the work of Josiah Priest.
“Proslavery apologists also seem to have inherited this interpretive tradition and sought to manage their anxiety about it by rewriting the creation of Adam, as in the work of Josiah Priest, which I will discuss further below.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.
FindingcitationPriest argues that biblical names reflect the nature of the persons or things they signify, distinguishing Hebrew from all other languages.
“After all, he argues, biblical names reflect the nature of the persons or things they signify, distinguishing Hebrew from all other languages.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Priest 1843
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
May combine two claims.
FindingreasoningThe Slave's Friend often refers to the Book of Proverbs explicitly and adopts its framework of paternalistic pedagogy.
“Due to its focus on educating children, it perhaps comes as no surprise that The Slave's Friend often refers to the Book of Proverbs explicitly and adopts its framework of paternalistic pedagogy.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
FindingcitationLater Christian writers continue to use material imagery to conceptualize early childhood development.
“Later Christian writers continue to use material imagery to conceptualize early childhood development.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Falcasantos 2020 source
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.
Findingown dataMartyn's remarks reflect the biblical hermeneutics outlined in the paper and reiterate themes about the creation of Adam and race.
“His remarks reflect the biblical hermeneutics outlined above and reiterate many of the same themes regarding the creation of Adam and race”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim.
FindingreasoningAll inhabitants of the earth descend from Adam, who was formed from red clay.
“All inhabitants of the earth descend from Adam, who was formed from (what the author presumes to be) red clay.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
FindingreasoningThe Slave's Friend takes on a more pronounced didactic tone than other abolitionist periodicals of the time.
“For that reason, The Slave's Friend takes on a more pronounced didactic tone than other abolitionist periodicals of the time.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.
FindingcitationAnother fundamental assumption in this interpretation of the Bible was the belief that scripture not only depicted the will of God in ancient times but also continued to function as a charter for American society in the nineteenth century.
“Another fundamental assumption in this interpretation of the Bible was the belief that scripture not only depicted the will of God in ancient times but also continued to function as a charter for American society in the nineteenth century (Noll 2006, p. 22).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Noll 2006, p. 22
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.
Findingnone givenBiblical mythmaking in the nineteenth century, especially concerning slavery and racial hierarchy, was a hotly contested discourse, and the creation of Adam was no exception.
“Biblical mythmaking in the nineteenth century, especially where it concerned slavery and racial hierarchy, was a hotly contested discourse, and the creation of Adam was no exception.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim.
FindingcitationMartyn anchors his interpretation in Hebrew by asserting that Adam means red clay.
“Martyn anchors this interpretation in the Hebrew language itself when he asserts that, “Adam means red clay.””
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.
Findingnone givenThe Slave's Friend often cited biblical texts as justification for the immediate abolition of slavery in the United States, assuming that when read correctly the Bible upheld Enlightenment values of liberty, equality, and common humanity incompatible with chattel slavery.
“As with much abolitionist material of this period, The Slave's Friend often cited biblical texts as justification for the immediate abolition of slavery in the United States, the assumption being that, when read correctly, the Bible upheld the Enlightenment values of liberty, equality, and common humanity that were incompatible with chattel slavery.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
Findingnone givenThe emphasis on the commonality of blood appears in this text and others that profess similar arguments about the biblical origins of race from an abolitionist perspective.
“However, the emphasis on the commonality of blood appears in this text and others that profess similar arguments about the biblical origins of race from an abolitionist perspective.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.
FindingcitationPriest asserts that Whiteness and Blackness are direct results of divine intervention in the Genesis 9 episode, rendering racial politics of earlier passages moot.
“Whiteness and Blackness, he asserts, are the direct results of divine intervention in this episode, rendering the racial politics of earlier passages moot.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Priest 1843
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.
Findingnone givenThe parental dialogue format appears several times throughout The Slave's Friend and often engages in biblical interpretation concerning a central issue related to race and slavery.
“The parental dialogue format appears several times throughout The Slave's Friend and often engages in biblical interpretation concerning a central issue related to race and slavery.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
FindingcitationJohn Chrysostom likens a child's pliable soul to a wax writing tablet.
“John Chrysostom likens a child's pliable soul to a wax writing tablet”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Falcasantos 2020 source
Classified as probably not a substantial claim.
FindingreasoningThis reading strategy characterizes the biblical interpretation found in The Slave's Friend, particularly the use of the Bible to confront the modern category of race.
“This reading strategy characterizes the biblical interpretation found in The Slave's Friend, particularly the use of the Bible to confront the modern category of race.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.
Findingown dataThe Slave's Friend picks up the discourse about red clay and subject formation but develops it in a different direction, focusing on the divine creation of human difference.
“The Slave's Friend picks up this discourse about red clay and subject formation but develops it in a different direction, focusing on the divine creation of human difference.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
FindingcitationKaren Sánchez-Eppler notes the absurdly paradoxical rhetoric in which blackness, where it refers to things besides skin color, is still associated with evil and set in opposition to whiteness, which signifies the good.
“Karen Sánchez-Eppler notes, for example, the “absurdly paradoxical rhetoric” in which blackness-where it refers to things besides skin color-is still associated with evil and set in opposition to whiteness, which signifies the good”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Sánchez-Eppler 1988 source
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
FindingcitationSánchez-Eppler points to a story titled Apple and the Chestnut in Volume 1, in which the narrator likens the moral development of children to the core of an apple.
“Sánchez-Eppler points to a story titled “Apple and the Chestnut” in Volume 1, in which the narrator likens the moral development of children to the core of an apple”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Sánchez-Eppler 1988 source
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).
InterpretationreasoningReading with material imagery helps us better understand the uses of the Bible in abolitionist race theory.
“Thus, reading with material imagery helps us better understand the uses of the Bible in abolitionist race theory.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim.
InterpretationreasoningAs these examples demonstrate, biblical writers use the natural properties of clay to talk about the physical and ideological formation of human beings.
“As these examples demonstrate, biblical writers use the natural properties of clay to talk about the physical and ideological formation of human beings.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
PremisecitationMather's commentary comprises the earliest comprehensive commentary on the Bible written in North America.
“Spanning from the late seventeenth to the early eighteenth century, Mather's commentary gathers together anecdotes and interpretations of such biblical narratives and comprises the earliest comprehensive commentary on the Bible written in North America (Mather 2010, p. 3).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Mather 2010, p. 3
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
InterpretationcitationAs father, Yahweh molds and shapes Israel and individual Israelites into his own creation.
“As father, Yahweh molds and shapes Israel and individual Israelites into his own creation.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).
PremisecitationSocial formation by means of mythmaking is a reasonable response to the inevitable social disruptions, contradictions and incongruities of the ordinary human condition.
““Social formation by means of mythmaking is nothing other than the reasonable response to the inevitable social disruptions, contradictions and incongruities that characterize the ordinary human condition””
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites McCutcheon 1999
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).
Interpretationnone givenThe focus on the red clay of Adam draws upon a more widespread discourse in the Hebrew Bible that closely associates materiality with identity and subject formation.
“As I go on to argue, the focus on the red clay of Adam draws upon a more widespread discourse in the Hebrew Bible that closely associates materiality with identity and subject formation.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
InterpretationreasoningIsaiah's articulation of this metaphor creates a powerful image in which the molding of clay signifies the creation of a loyal Yahwistic subject.
“Isaiah's articulation of this metaphor creates a powerful image in which the molding of clay signifies the creation of a loyal Yahwistic subject.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
PremisecitationIn Genesis 2:7, Yahweh Elohim fashions the first human with dust from the earth and breathes into its nostrils to vivify it.
“In Genesis 2:7, for instance, Yahweh Elohim fashions the first human with dust from the earth and breathes into its nostrils to vivify it.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Genesis 2:7
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).
Premisenone givenAmong biblical scholars, it is debated whether or not clay appears in the creation of Adam at all.
“However, among biblical scholars, it is debated whether or not clay appears in the creation of Adam at all.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim.
InterpretationreasoningUsing the imagery of clay, this reading of biblical origins envisions race as raw material that must be conditioned.
“Using the imagery of clay, this reading of biblical origins envisions race as raw material that must be conditioned.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing).
InterpretationreasoningThe didactic framework of Proverbs is a natural fit for the pedagogical apparatus of The Slave's Friend.
“The didactic framework of Proverbs is a natural fit for the pedagogical apparatus of The Slave's Friend.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimMay combine two claims.
InterpretationreasoningWhile Priest concedes that Adam and his descendants were a copper colored people based on Genesis 2, his novel scene in Genesis 9 restores the balance of racial hierarchy in favor of his proslavery stance.
“While Priest must concede the point that Adam and his descendants were a “copper colored people,” based on the material imagery of Genesis 2, the novel scene he introduces into Genesis 9 effectively restores the balance of racial hierarchy in favor of his proslavery stance.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).
Interpretationnone givenThe ideological work of children's literature in this period is not mere child's play.
“Though children's literature in this period may sometimes be dismissed as superficial and overly sentimental, the ideological work of this literature is not mere child's play.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim.
InterpretationreasoningAs the first human created by God, Adam reflects divine evaluation of race.
“As the first human created by God, Adam clearly reflects divine evaluation of race.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
Interpretationnone givenIn the hands of abolitionist writers, the creation of Adam becomes a foundational text for the taxonomy of race among the first human beings, which is then used to reconfigure racial hierarchies of the nineteenth century and to support the emancipation of enslaved persons in the United States.
“In the hands of abolitionist writers, the creation of Adam becomes a foundational text for the taxonomy of race among the first human beings, which is then used to reconfigure racial hierarchies of the nineteenth century and to support the emancipation of enslaved persons in the United States.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.
InterpretationreasoningThe existence of this proslavery counter-narrative demonstrates the potency of the biblical myth and its relevance to nineteenth-century debates over what race is and where it originates.
“The existence of this proslavery counter-narrative further demonstrates the potency of the biblical myth and its relevance to nineteenth-century debates over what race is and where it originates.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).
Interpretationnone givenThe deployment of the Genesis creation stories in eighteenth-and nineteenth-century racial discourse is a paradigmatic example of biblical mythmaking.
“The deployment of the Genesis creation stories in eighteenth-and nineteenth-century racial discourse is a paradigmatic example of biblical mythmaking.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
PremisecitationCotton Mather, in his biblical commentary Biblia Americana, examines the biblical narrative of Adam, emphasizing the red clay of his creation.
“Additionally, in his monumental biblical commentary Biblia Americana, Cotton Mather examines the biblical narrative of Adam, emphasizing the red clay of his creation.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).
Interpretationnone givenThe use of biblical literature in abolitionist pedagogy relies upon reading these texts as affirming, undermining, and otherwise negotiating extant social hierarchies.
“As we can see, the use of biblical literature in abolitionist pedagogy relies upon reading these texts as affirming, undermining, and otherwise negotiating extant social hierarchies.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim.
InterpretationreasoningThe deployment of biblically based arguments on opposing sides of abolition debates in the nineteenth century is a particularly apparent instance of competing uses of myth.
“Nowhere is this more apparent than the deployment of biblically based arguments on opposing sides of abolition debates in the nineteenth century.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.
PremisecitationThe Slave's Friend was edited by New York abolitionist Lewis Tappan and printed by R.G. Williams.
“One of several publications produced by the society, including Human Rights, the Anti-Slavery Record, and the Emancipator, The Slave's Friend was edited by New York abolitionist Lewis Tappan and printed by R.G. Williams (Wyatt-Brown 1969, pp.126-45).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Wyatt-Brown 1969, pp.126-45
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).
InterpretationreasoningIn this hermeneutic, creation, race, and materiality are inextricably linked.
“This essay has examined the dynamics of this hermeneutic, in which creation, race, and materiality are inextricably linked.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim.
InterpretationcitationThe outward differences of human beings belie the essential sameness of their blood, citing Acts 17:26.
“In short, the outward differences of human beings belie the essential sameness of their blood, citing Acts 17:26.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Acts 17:26
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
May combine two claims.
InterpretationreasoningThe non-whiteness of Adam in abolitionist literature such as The Slave's Friend countered popular anti-Black etiologies in the antebellum United States and offered a new biblical paradigm for racial hierarchy, expressed in material terms.
“The non-whiteness of Adam in abolitionist literature such as The Slave's Friend countered popular anti-Black etiologies in the antebellum United States and offered a new biblical paradigm for racial hierarchy, expressed in material terms.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
InterpretationreasoningThis interpretation of Genesis underscored the value of non-white ancestors both in the biblical narrative and in human history and undermined popular theological arguments that upheld color-based racial hierarchies that privileged whiteness in the United States.
“This interpretation of Genesis underscored the value of non-white ancestors both in the biblical narrative and in human history and undermined popular theological arguments that upheld color-based racial hierarchies that privileged whiteness in the United States.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim.
InterpretationreasoningPriest's retelling of biblical narrative suggests an anxiety about the prevalence and potency of the red clay myth and its resonance among those who preferred a literal, plain-sense reading of biblical scripture.
“Yet, Priest's retelling of biblical narrative suggests an anxiety about the prevalence and potency of the red clay myth and its resonance among those who preferred a literal, plain-sense reading of biblical scripture.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim.
PremisecitationBiblical origin stories are often taken as blueprints for divinely sanctioned social order.
“biblical origin stories are often taken as blueprints for divinely sanctioned social order.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites [35] McLeod, Alexander (1860). Negro Slavery Unjustifiable: A Discourse by the Late Alexander McLeod, D.D., Alexander McLeod. [10th ed.].
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).
InterpretationreasoningChildren's periodicals such as The Slave's Friend provide a window into abolitionist rhetoric, its vision for the future, and its use of the Bible to construct alternative theories about race and its origins.
“Therefore, children's periodicals such as The Slave's Friend provide a window into abolitionist rhetoric, its vision for the future, and its use of the Bible to construct alternative theories about race and its origins.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).
Premisenone givenIn the context of the Hebrew Bible and later interpretative discourse, clay offers a rich metaphor for thinking about identity and human formation.
“In this context, clay offers a rich metaphor for thinking about identity and human formation, both in the Hebrew Bible and in later interpretative discourse.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimMay combine two claims.
Interpretationnone givenFor abolitionists, the red clay of Adam's creation is a generative metaphor that helps construct a taxonomy of race that de-centers whiteness in the biblical narrative and supports the emancipation of enslaved persons in the United States.
“For abolitionists, the red clay of Adam's creation is a generative metaphor, one that helps construct a taxonomy of race that de-centers whiteness in the biblical narrative and supports the emancipation of enslaved persons in the United States.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.
Premisenone givenIn biblical literature, clay is the raw material of creation, while dust signifies the reversion of creation into some uncivilized or unformed state.
“In biblical literature, clay is the raw material of creation, while dust signifies the reversion of creation into some uncivilized or unformed state.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing).
Interpretationnone givenThe argument in the catechism is simple and accessible even to children.
“The argument is simple, accessible even to children.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.
Premisenone givenSome tribal traditions featured their own accounts of creation in which the first humans were molded from red clay, which some Christian missionaries then elided with the biblical creation of Adam.
“Some tribal traditions featured their own accounts of creation in which the first humans were molded from red clay, which some Christian missionaries then elided with the biblical creation of Adam.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimMay combine two claims.
InterpretationreasoningArguing that Adam himself was not white simultaneously upholds the theory of monogenesis, the single origin of all human beings, while undermining the reliance upon later texts in the biblical narrative, especially Genesis 9, for constructing racial hierarchies that privilege whiteness.
“Furthermore, arguing that Adam himself was not white simultaneously upholds the theory of monogenesis, the single origin of all human beings, while undermining the reliance upon later texts in the biblical narrative, especially Genesis 9, for constructing racial hierarchies that privilege whiteness.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim.
InterpretationreasoningMuch like the anthropomorphic statue in Daniel 2, the perceived value of materials descends from the head downward.
“Much like the anthropomorphic statue in Daniel 2 with different parts made of different materials, the perceived value of those materials descends from the head downward.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
InterpretationcitationIn this passage, the prophet uses the imagery of ceramic production to emphasize Yahweh's creation of and sovereignty over human beings.
“In this passage, the prophet uses the imagery of ceramic production to emphasize Yahweh's creation of and, thus, sovereignty over human beings.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimMay combine two claims.
InterpretationcitationWhile abolitionist literature argued for the emancipation of enslaved persons, periodicals such as The Slave's Friend maintained and affirmed fundamental racial and class distinctions in their depictions of white and Black characters.
“Thus, while abolitionist literature argued for the emancipation of enslaved persons, periodicals such as The Slave's Friend maintained and affirmed fundamental racial and class distinctions in their depictions of white and Black characters.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
InterpretationreasoningThe Slave's Friend turns red clay into the stuff of biblical myth, one that depicts God's formation of the first human being and lays the foundation for a taxonomy of race in the nineteenth century that de-centers whiteness and supports the emancipation of enslaved persons in the United States.
“The Slave's Friend turns red clay into the stuff of biblical myth, one that depicts God's formation of the first human being and lays the foundation for a taxonomy of race in the nineteenth century that de-centers whiteness and supports the emancipation of enslaved persons in the United States.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).
InterpretationreasoningThis dogmatic appeal to origins is a hallmark of mythmaking.
“This dogmatic appeal to origins is a hallmark of mythmaking.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.
PremisecitationMather builds the argument that Adam's name reflects his ruddy complexion, equating Adam with Edom.
“Mather builds the argument that Adam's name reflects his ruddy complexion, equating Adam with Edom.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing).
InterpretationreasoningThe selection of this image for the cover art of early issues underscores its thematic importance for the pedagogical ethos of the publication overall.
“The selection of this image for the cover art of early issues underscores its thematic importance for the pedagogical ethos of the publication overall.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
PremisecitationFollowing the disobedience of Adam and Eve, the text states that they are dust and will return to dust in death (Genesis 3:19).
“Later in the narrative, following the disobedience of Adam and Eve, the text famously states that they are, in fact, dust and will return to dust in death (3:19).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Genesis 3:19
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
Classified as probably not a substantial claim.
InterpretationreasoningSlavery reverses the creation process by turning a human back into dry, inert raw material.
“Slavery reverses this process and “tramples it into the dust,” effectively turning a human back into dry, inert raw material.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
InterpretationreasoningThe non-whiteness of Adam countered popular anti-Black etiologies of the period and offered a new biblical paradigm for the explanation and evaluation of racial difference.
“In this way, the non-whiteness of Adam countered popular anti-Black etiologies of the period and offered a new biblical paradigm for the explanation and evaluation of racial difference.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
InterpretationreasoningThe interpretative move of emphasizing Adam's redness recurs throughout the run of The Slave's Friend and highlights a key issue in the Hebrew Bible and antebellum discourse about race-the couching of identity and subject formation in material terms.
“This interpretative move, which recurs throughout the run of The Slave's Friend, highlights a key issue both in the Hebrew Bible and antebellum discourse about race—that is, the couching of identity and subject formation in material terms.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
InterpretationreasoningThe way that The Slave's Friend talks to its audience of white children belies a more pervasive paternalistic attitude toward enslaved persons, one that does not eradicate racial hierarchies but manages them instead, and the periodical's modeling of paternalistic pedagogy on Proverbs lent it moral authority and cultural value.
“Ultimately, the way that The Slave's Friend talks to its audience of white children belies a more pervasive paternalistic attitude toward enslaved persons, one that does not eradicate racial hierarchies but manages them instead, and the periodical's modeling of paternalistic pedagogy on Proverbs lent it moral authority and cultural value.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.
PremisecitationA literal, plain-sense reading of certain biblical texts challenged these assumptions, leading abolitionist writers to adopt different reading strategies for the Bible.
“However, as previous studies have argued, a literal, plain-sense reading of certain biblical texts challenged these assumptions, leading abolitionist writers to adopt different reading strategies for the Bible (Harvey 2016, p. 77; Lowance 2018, pp.88-90).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites Harvey 2016, p. 77 source
- cites Lowance 2018, pp.88-90
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
PremisecitationIn the biblical account, God forms Adam from the moistened dust of the ground, working raw earthen material into shape before breathing life into it.
“In the biblical account, God forms Adam from the moistened dust of the ground, working the raw earthen material into shape before breathing life into it.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Genesis 2
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
May combine two claims.
InterpretationreasoningProslavery writers inherited a reading of Genesis 2 as the creation of Adam from red clay, and their treatments had to subordinate it to Genesis 9 and the racial hierarchy it was thought to uphold.
“Proslavery writers also inherited a reading of Genesis 2 as the creation of Adam from red clay, and their treatments of the narrative had to adopt strategies that subordinated it to Genesis 9 and the racial hierarchy it was thought to uphold.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim.
Interpretationnone givenThe literal paternalism of dialogues between a parent and child serves as a model for the figurative paternalism of the abolitionist movement in its goal to educate both children and enslaved persons.
“Additionally, the literal paternalism of dialogues between a parent and child serves as a model for the figurative paternalism of the abolitionist movement in its goal to educate both children and enslaved persons.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim.
InterpretationreasoningFor those who sought to root their arguments in the moral authority of the Bible, it meant locating race in the biblical text itself.
“For those who sought to root their arguments in the moral authority of the Bible, it meant locating race in the biblical text itself.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
InterpretationreasoningImplicit in this rhetorical strategy is the argument that these taxonomies are not new but date to the earliest periods of biblical and human history and thus serve as authoritative paradigms for modern racial hierarchies.
“Implicit in this rhetorical strategy is the argument that these taxonomies are not new but rather date to the earliest periods of biblical (and human) history and, thus, serve as authoritative paradigms for modern racial hierarchies.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
PremisecitationUnlike dust, clay has been mixed with water and worked so that it is pliable enough to be molded by the potter.
“Unlike dust, clay has been mixed with water and worked so that it is pliable enough to be molded by the potter.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
Premisenone givenBiblical writers use clay to talk about the formation of humans in a variety of contexts.
“Biblical writers use clay to talk about the formation of humans in a variety of contexts.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.
InterpretationreasoningThe stories of creation in Genesis enjoy a privileged status due to their early placement in biblical primeval history and are rich discursive sites for interpreters rooting arguments about race in biblical origins.
“Thus, the stories of creation in Genesis enjoy a privileged status due to their early placement in biblical primeval history and, as we can see, are rich discursive sites for interpreters looking to root their arguments about race in the bedrock of biblical origins.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim.
InterpretationreasoningBy reading race materially, The Slave's Friend turns an abstract category into something tangible and relatively familiar, especially in regions of the southeastern United States known for their abundance of red clay.
“By reading race materially, The Slave's Friend turns an abstract category into something tangible and relatively familiar, especially in regions of the southeastern United States known for their abundance of red clay.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.
PremisecitationJob refers explicitly to himself as one who was formed out of clay by God (Job 33:6), and Job 4:17-21 describes the frailty of the human body.
“For instance, Job refers quite explicitly to himself as one who was formed out of clay by God (Job 33:6), and Job 4:17-21 develops this metaphor further when he describes the frailty of the human body:”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites Job 33:6
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- cites Job 4:17-21
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
InterpretationreasoningDeprived of divine life-giving breath, humans revert back into dry, inert dust.
“Deprived of divine life-giving breath, humans revert back into dry, inert dust.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).
InterpretationreasoningThe malleability and mutability of clay make it a potent metaphor, allowing readers to play with different conceptions of human, racial, and subject formation.
“The malleability and mutability of clay make it a potent metaphor, allowing readers to play with different conceptions of human, racial, and subject formation.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim.
PremisecitationAs in the Hebrew Bible itself, the natural properties of clay lend themselves to discussions of identity and subject formation, which often rely on material metaphors for malleability.
“As in the Hebrew Bible itself, the natural properties of clay lend themselves to discussions of identity and subject formation, which often rely on material metaphors for malleability.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Hebrew Bible
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).
Premisenone givenIn the Hebrew Bible, the binary of dry/moist often signifies the difference between the realm of the dead and the living, respectively.
“In the Hebrew Bible, the binary of dry/moist often signifies the difference between the realm of the dead and the living, respectively.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
PremisecitationDavid M. Carr makes a similar point concerning ideologies of the past in the Hebrew Bible: the distant past is never past but stands in the ancient world as a potentially realizable present to which each generation seeks to return.
“David M. Carr makes a similar point concerning ideologies of the past in the Hebrew Bible: “[The distant] past is never 'past' in the way we might conceive it but stands in the ancient world as a potentially realizable 'present' to which each generation seeks to return””
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Carr 2005 source
The paper relies on this without support.
The common Hebrew word for clay (h .ōmer) does not actually appear in the story of the creation of Adam.
“This reading of the text was quite prevalent, despite the fact that the common Hebrew word for clay (h .ōmer) does not actually appear in the story of the creation of Adam, a point to which I will return below.”
The paper relies on this without support.
The Slave's Friend was published from 1836 to 1838.
“Published by the New York Anti-Slavery Society, The Slave's Friend was a sixteenpage monthly periodical launched in 1836 that went on to print thirty-eight issues in four volumes until it was shut down in 1838.”
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.
Hymn substitution is described in the wrong direction
MinorThe note says the periodical substituted "man" for "child," but the lyric quoted from the periodical reads "child."
“Some versions of the hymn begin "Oh, happy is the man…" but the reproduction of the lyrics in The Slave's Friend substitute "man" for "child,"”
“"Oh, happy is the child that hears Instruction's faithful voice; And who celestial wisdom makes His early, only choice."”
Cites
Writing on the Tablet of the Heart: Origins of Scripture and Literature
Carr, D. M. (2005) · doi:10.1093/oso/9780195172973.001.0001 · Cited by 316 · see citing works
Writing on the Tablet of the Heart: Origins of Scripture and Literature
Sanders, J. A., & Carr, D. M. (2006) · Journal of Biblical Literature · doi:10.2307/27638408 · Cited by 294 · see citing works
Noah's Curse: The Biblical Justification of American Slavery
Haynes, S. R. (2002) · doi:10.1093/0195142799.001.0001 · Cited by 181 · see citing works
Bodily Bonds: The Intersecting Rhetorics of Feminism and Abolition
Sánchez-Eppler, K. (1988) · Representations · doi:10.2307/2928475 · Cited by 117 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Karen Sánchez-Eppler notes, for example, the “absurdly paradoxical rhetoric” in which blackness—where it refers to things besides skin color—is still associated with evil and set in opposition to whiteness, which signifies the good (Sánchez-Eppler 1988, pp. 28–59, 56–57, n. 40).”
BackgroundThe Conflict Myth and the Biblical Tradition
Ballentine, D. S. (2015) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199370252.001.0001 · Cited by 113 · see citing works
Shoemaker, N. (1997) · The American Historical Review · doi:10.1086/ahr/102.3.625 · Cited by 109 · cited 2× · see citing works
“4 Shoemaker (1997), “How Indians Got to be Red”, pp. 634–42.”
BackgroundBodily Bonds: The Intersecting Rhetorics of Feminism and Abolition
Sánchez-Eppler, K. (1988) · Representations · doi:10.1525/rep.1988.24.1.99p0242k · Cited by 101
Harrill, J. A. (2000) · Religion and American Culture A Journal of Interpretation · doi:10.1525/rac.2000.10.2.03a00020 · Cited by 56 · cited 2× · see citing works
“…intended meaning as a norm for validating conflicting readings of a text but also aimed to complete and develop what the author had only sketched and suggested—a task that inevitably carried the critic beyond the author’s intention into a hermeneutics of moral intuition (Harrill 2000, p. 150).”
BackgroundMethodShoemaker, N. (1997) · The American Historical Review · doi:10.2307/2171504 · Cited by 44
Misgivings: Melville, Race, and the Ambiguities of Benevolence
Ryan, S. (2000) · American Literary History · doi:10.1093/alh/12.4.685 · Cited by 24 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Along similar lines, Susan M. Ryan notes the framing of abolitionist work as contributing to the ethical formation of white children, thus exploiting enslaved persons for the moral benefit of their emancipation (Ryan 2000, p. 705).”
BackgroundReligion, Race, and the Wife of Ham
Schipper, J. (2020) · The Journal of Religion · doi:10.1086/708896 · Cited by 23 · cited 1× · see citing works
“2 For further discussion of the Curse of Ham and its history of interpretation, see (Haynes 2002; Goldenberg 2003; Johnson 2004; Davis 2008; Whitford 2009; Alpert 2013, pp. 29–41; Reed 2020; Schipper 2020, pp. 386–401).”
BackgroundJuvenile Antislavery Narrative and Notions of Childhood
Keller, H. (1996) · Children's literature · doi:10.1353/chl.0.0582 · Cited by 22 · cited 1× · see citing works
“…abolitionist children’s literature, including classic texts such as Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin, was more subversive than previous studies have acknowledged, since they encouraged children to challenge the moral authority of their elders with regard to slavery (Keller 1996, p. 87).”
Christianity and Race in the American South: A History
Harvey, P. (2016) · doi:10.7208/chicago/9780226415499.001.0001 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
The Intertextual Reception of Genesis 1-3 in Irenaeus of Lyons
Presley, S. O. (2015) · BRILL eBooks · doi:10.1163/9789004294523 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
Woman and the Discourse of Patriarchal Wisdom: A Study of Proverbs 1 - 9
Cewsom, C. A. (1989) · Cited by 21 · see citing works
Fenton, E. (2020) · New York University Press eBooks · doi:10.18574/nyu/9781479891726.001.0001 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
(2020) · Fordham University Press eBooks · doi:10.1515/9780823287048 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
3. Translating Rabbinic Texts on the Curse of Ham: What We Learn from Charles Copher and His Critics
Alpert, R. (2013) · Gorgias Press eBooks · doi:10.31826/9781463235512-004 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Greenstein, E. (2019) · doi:10.2307/j.ctvmd865d · Cited by 12
The Mark of Cain and White Violence
Junior (2020) · Journal of Biblical Literature · doi:10.15699/jbl.1394.2020.2 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
The Ceramic Vocabulary of the Old Testament
Kelso, J. L., & Albright, W. F. (1948) · Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research Supplementary Studies · doi:10.2307/20066597 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Like Father, Like Son: Theorizing Transmission in Biblical Literature
Vayntrub, J. (2018) · Hebrew Bible and Ancient Israel · doi:10.1628/hebai-2018-0032 · Cited by 8 · cited 2× · see citing works
“8 For further analysis of the dynamics of gender and parental instruction in biblical wisdom literature, see (Crenshaw 1988, pp. 9–22; Crenshaw 1998, pp. 115–38; Newsom 1999, pp. 85–98; Vayntrub 2018, pp. 500–26; Petrany 2020, pp. 154–60).”
BackgroundSpittle, Clay, and Creation in John 9:6 and Some Dead Sea Scrolls
Frayer‐Griggs, D. (2013) · Journal of Biblical Literature · doi:10.1353/jbl.2013.0038 · Cited by 7 · cited 1× · see citing works
“For a discussion of similar tropes in the Dead Sea Scrolls, see (Frayer-Griggs 2013, pp. 659–70).”
BackgroundLevander, C. F. (2006) · Duke University Press eBooks · doi:10.2307/j.ctv11smvc9 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Fathers, Mothers, Sons, and Silence: Rhetorical Reconfiguration in Proverbs
Petrany, C. (2020) · Biblical Theology Bulletin Journal of Bible and Culture · doi:10.1177/0146107920934700 · Cited by 6 · cited 2× · see citing works
“8 For further analysis of the dynamics of gender and parental instruction in biblical wisdom literature, see (Crenshaw 1988, pp. 9–22; Crenshaw 1998, pp. 115–38; Newsom 1999, pp. 85–98; Vayntrub 2018, pp. 500–26; Petrany 2020, pp. 154–60).”
BackgroundThe Mark of Cain and White Violence
Junior, N. (2020) · Journal of Biblical Literature · doi:10.1353/jbl.2020.0038 · Cited by 6 · cited 1× · see citing works
“See, e.g., Junior’s examination of the “mark of Cain” in Genesis 4 and its history of interpretation (Junior 2020, pp. 661–73).”
BackgroundGreenstein, E. L. (2019) · Yale University Press eBooks · doi:10.12987/9780300163766 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Feeling Animal: Pet-Making and Mastery in the Slave’s Friend
Keralis, S. D. C. (2012) · American periodicals · doi:10.1353/amp.2012.0011 · Cited by 2 · cited 1× · see citing works
“For instance, Spencer Keralis observes that The Slave’s Friend uses the imagery of pet ownership and animal cruelty as a metaphor for teaching white children about Black people and slavery (Keralis 2012, p. 122).”
Background(2018) · Princeton University Press eBooks · doi:10.2307/j.ctv346s4h · Cited by 1 · see citing works
A School for the Soul: John Chrysostom on Mimēsis and the Force of Ritual Habit
Stephens Falcasantos, R. (2020) · The Garb of Being · doi:10.1515/9780823287048-007
Education in Ancient Israel: Across the Deadening Silence
Crenshaw, J. L. (1998) · doi:10.5040/9780300287936
The Myth of Ham in Nineteenth-Century American Christianity
Johnson, S. (2004) · doi:10.1057/9781403978691
Spittle, Clay, and Creation in John 9:6 and Some Dead Sea Scrolls
FRAYER-GRIGGS (2013) · Journal of Biblical Literature · doi:10.2307/23487892
The Child and the Racial Politics of Nation Making in the Slavery Era
Levander, C. (2006) · Cradle of Liberty · doi:10.1215/9780822388357-002
Flagged first, then by citations
Research works printed but not linked: 11
- Castelli, Elizabeth A. (2004). Martyrdom and Memory: Early Christian Culture Making, Columbia University Press.
- Crenshaw, James L. (1988). A Mother’s Instruction to Her Son (Prov. 31:1–9). Perspectives on the Hebrew Bible, Mercer University Press.
- Dougherty, Matthew W. (2021). Lost Tribes Found: Israelite Indians and Religious Nationalism in Early America, University of Oklahoma Press.
- Geist, 1999, The ‘Slave’s Friend’: An Abolitionist Magazine for Children, American Periodicals, 9, 27
- Goldenberg, David M. (2003). The Curse of Ham: Race and Slavery in Early Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, Princeton University Press.
- 1974, Yahweh Elohim, Revue Biblique, 81, 524
- Lincoln, Bruce (1992). Theorizing Myth: Narrative, Ideology, and Scholarship, Oxford University Press.
- Noll, Mark A. (2006). The Civil War as a Theological Crisis, University of North Carolina Press.
- Reed, Justin Michael (2020). The Injustice of Noah’s Curse and the Presumption of Canaanite Guilt: A New Reading of Genesis 9: 18–29. [Ph.D. dissertation, Princeton Theological Seminary].
- Von Rad, Gerhard (1972). Genesis: A Commentary, Westminster Press.
- Wyatt-Brown, Bertram (1969). Lewis Tappan and the Evangelical War against Christianity, Press of Case Western Reserve University.
- Authors
- Sonia, K. M.
- Affiliations
- Colby College (US)
- Corresponding author
- Sonia, Kerry M.
- Venue
- Religions
- Publisher
- MDPI AG
- Published
- 2021-10-12
- Volume
- 12
- Issue
- 10
- Pages
- 860
- ISSN
- 2077-1444 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W3206756879
- Semantic Scholar
- d84074939af5a4a664ecab027c89cefee3cb2a36
- Cited by
- 0
- References
- 25
- FWCI
- 0.00
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Religions (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- Funders
- Colby College
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Theological Perspectives and Practices
- Social Sciences › Anthropology › Colonialism, slavery, and trade
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Religious studies › Biblical Studies and Interpretation
- Keywords
- creation of Adam, Genesis 2, abolitionist literature, racial theory, colorism, whiteness, children's magazines, racial hierarchy, nineteenth-century American religion
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