I just love how this enlightened information (with all the facts) was put together in one newsletter that I can share with my family and friends. Thank you!
I appreciate this overview, but I'm curious to know the relationship between these stories/information and Ethiopian Orthodox traditions/accounts of the bible, considering that Ethiopia has the oldest record of the biblical canon, and they have not been colonized.
While it's apparent that Western expressions of Christianity (and Judaism and Islamic expressions) suppress ancient knowledge and history, what do Orthodox traditions say about the historic origins you're sharing, especially when the accounts of African lineage are present and clear in the bible.
The Ethiopia that T.Browder is speaking about is the Ethiopia before Axum.
Christianity was brought into Ethiopia (Axum) ca. 400AD by a Syro-/Greek man called Frumentius, who became the tutor of King Ezana. Before 400AD the Axumites/Ethiopians practiced a traditional spiritual system. Frumentius, aka Aba Salama (who was ordained by Athanasius (a church farther)), started and became the first bishop of Ethiopia‘s newly found Orthodox Church.
Basically, the Axumites/Ethiopians through King Ezana adopted a Roman religion. The irony here is, Christianity has it’s origins in ancient Ethiopia-Kush-Kemet. To prove that Ethiopia’s Orthodox Church is connected to Rome— every year in Ethiopia they celebrate Meskel (“the finding of the true cross“) where they give honor and praises to Emperor Constantine‘s mother, Queen Helena.
I’m familiar with the influence of the Greek and how that shaped the church but the practice itself was already in Ethiopia and already being practiced. As you said, the Bible speaks directly to a story about a Cushite who was already reading “the Bible” and became the first Christian. So Christianity was already in Cush / Aethopia prior to the encounter with the formation of the church. So, Christianity predates this Greek encounter. The familiarity with the God of Israel and Cush can be traced back further to King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. It wasn’t brought by Euro influenced to Ethiopia, it was already there. Shaped maybe, but it was already a practice.
Because I grew up in Ethiopia, I have seen the dilemma when reasoning this topic— it’s hard for some to separate generational religious beliefs and traditions from secular history. That’s why they mix it up.
The fact is that there is no concrete archaeological or textual evidence that Christianity was practiced in Ethiopia before the 4th century. Christianity in Ethiopia as we know it today came only after the arrival of Frumentius.
The story of the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8, and the story of Sheba and Solomon belong exclusively to biblical tradition and religious texts (Kebra Negast); not historical record. There’s unfortunately no external historical evidence or validation to these stories— it is myth-history.
I think for Ethiopians and orthodox Christians it’s quite hard to accept such information because it contradicts their cultural and religious beliefs. However, the beauty of what T. Browder is sharing is that there is a bigger and greater picture to Ethiopia’s rich history that predates anything to do with any of the Abrahamic religions. Actually, without the connection between Ethiopia-Kush-Kemet, there couldn’t even exist any of the Abrahamic religions to begin with.
My main point here is that the idea that Christianity was “already present” before the 4th century CE is not supported by direct historical or archaeological evidence. It all began and was established through King Ezana’s conversion.
History can be complex and contradictory. All we can do is move forward. Our virtual college is is also new here, but we are only concerned with pushing African authors to perfecting their English so that they can be on equal par with Western novelists. And watch this space. Some of our student members will change the way the west sees African fiction, a genre which has been controlled by the West right from the onset.
Nice read, thank you. Regarding the story of Jesus, it has paralles across many mythos not just Egyptian(of Kemet) and they all similarly predate Christianity. It goes from Persian mythos, Nordic and more...
I love this knowledge. Our members are well-read. The oldies could exchange this wisdom with one another for hours, though after the pandemic it is has only been through zoom.
I’ve been on my own journey of deconstructing religion. Growing up Catholic, then Baptist, I eventually separated from the church. My quest to find personal faith led to more questions and doubts.
Modern science didn’t provide the answers I sought; its roots in colonialism and emphasis on empirical evidence often dismiss anything beyond as “myth.”
This led me to explore African and Indigenous spiritualities. Resources were scarce, likely due to historical suppression….which made me believe there’s a deeper truth within these traditions that many have overlooked.
Your work is illuminating the profound impact colonialism had in erasing the rich and diverse African spiritual lineages that existed long before modern nation-states.
I just love how this enlightened information (with all the facts) was put together in one newsletter that I can share with my family and friends. Thank you!
Powerful information Bro. Browder. This is much needed nowadays. Ase' and Thanks!
Ase'
This is magnificent and long overdue. Thank you! Hetep!
This kind of talk is my palm oil.
Tony I appreciate you for providing this information. Thank you!!!
Wow. Concise and effective. Thank you for your service!
Thank You Dr. Browder I’m so thankful for your work it has changed my life as a Black man.
I appreciate this overview, but I'm curious to know the relationship between these stories/information and Ethiopian Orthodox traditions/accounts of the bible, considering that Ethiopia has the oldest record of the biblical canon, and they have not been colonized.
While it's apparent that Western expressions of Christianity (and Judaism and Islamic expressions) suppress ancient knowledge and history, what do Orthodox traditions say about the historic origins you're sharing, especially when the accounts of African lineage are present and clear in the bible.
The Ethiopia that T.Browder is speaking about is the Ethiopia before Axum.
Christianity was brought into Ethiopia (Axum) ca. 400AD by a Syro-/Greek man called Frumentius, who became the tutor of King Ezana. Before 400AD the Axumites/Ethiopians practiced a traditional spiritual system. Frumentius, aka Aba Salama (who was ordained by Athanasius (a church farther)), started and became the first bishop of Ethiopia‘s newly found Orthodox Church.
Basically, the Axumites/Ethiopians through King Ezana adopted a Roman religion. The irony here is, Christianity has it’s origins in ancient Ethiopia-Kush-Kemet. To prove that Ethiopia’s Orthodox Church is connected to Rome— every year in Ethiopia they celebrate Meskel (“the finding of the true cross“) where they give honor and praises to Emperor Constantine‘s mother, Queen Helena.
Your knowledge seems deep.
I’m familiar with the influence of the Greek and how that shaped the church but the practice itself was already in Ethiopia and already being practiced. As you said, the Bible speaks directly to a story about a Cushite who was already reading “the Bible” and became the first Christian. So Christianity was already in Cush / Aethopia prior to the encounter with the formation of the church. So, Christianity predates this Greek encounter. The familiarity with the God of Israel and Cush can be traced back further to King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. It wasn’t brought by Euro influenced to Ethiopia, it was already there. Shaped maybe, but it was already a practice.
Because I grew up in Ethiopia, I have seen the dilemma when reasoning this topic— it’s hard for some to separate generational religious beliefs and traditions from secular history. That’s why they mix it up.
The fact is that there is no concrete archaeological or textual evidence that Christianity was practiced in Ethiopia before the 4th century. Christianity in Ethiopia as we know it today came only after the arrival of Frumentius.
The story of the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8, and the story of Sheba and Solomon belong exclusively to biblical tradition and religious texts (Kebra Negast); not historical record. There’s unfortunately no external historical evidence or validation to these stories— it is myth-history.
I think for Ethiopians and orthodox Christians it’s quite hard to accept such information because it contradicts their cultural and religious beliefs. However, the beauty of what T. Browder is sharing is that there is a bigger and greater picture to Ethiopia’s rich history that predates anything to do with any of the Abrahamic religions. Actually, without the connection between Ethiopia-Kush-Kemet, there couldn’t even exist any of the Abrahamic religions to begin with.
My main point here is that the idea that Christianity was “already present” before the 4th century CE is not supported by direct historical or archaeological evidence. It all began and was established through King Ezana’s conversion.
Religion is tricky. And what is so special abou Christianity that Africans are claiming it?
History can be complex and contradictory. All we can do is move forward. Our virtual college is is also new here, but we are only concerned with pushing African authors to perfecting their English so that they can be on equal par with Western novelists. And watch this space. Some of our student members will change the way the west sees African fiction, a genre which has been controlled by the West right from the onset.
Brilliant!
Nice read, thank you. Regarding the story of Jesus, it has paralles across many mythos not just Egyptian(of Kemet) and they all similarly predate Christianity. It goes from Persian mythos, Nordic and more...
This information is very valuable
I love this knowledge. Our members are well-read. The oldies could exchange this wisdom with one another for hours, though after the pandemic it is has only been through zoom.
Wow, this is an incredible piece!
I’ve been on my own journey of deconstructing religion. Growing up Catholic, then Baptist, I eventually separated from the church. My quest to find personal faith led to more questions and doubts.
Modern science didn’t provide the answers I sought; its roots in colonialism and emphasis on empirical evidence often dismiss anything beyond as “myth.”
This led me to explore African and Indigenous spiritualities. Resources were scarce, likely due to historical suppression….which made me believe there’s a deeper truth within these traditions that many have overlooked.
Your work is illuminating the profound impact colonialism had in erasing the rich and diverse African spiritual lineages that existed long before modern nation-states.
Besides e-books which cannot be on the shelves of à library, how can we buy your books in Africa ?
Please advise.
Thank you