God's Garden & the African Christian Heritage


Orthodoxy has done a poor job reaching out to the African American community in this country. On the other hand, Islam has made significant inroads into a community that has a rich spiritual tradition. Islam often sells itself to African American as the religion with African roots. Christianity is the slave masters religion. This is blatantly false. Before Christianity made its way to Northern Europe, it had already penetrated Africa. Christianity has much deeper roots in Africa than many moderns understand. Black saints abound in Orthodoxy and the early church. One such saint is St. Moses the Black. This one saint is the inspiration for the life of a contemporary African American Orthodox priest with a most interesting testimony.

Excitingly, a movie is being made on the life of this wonderful man with a message toward African American and all Americans to return to their religious roots.

Below is a link to the site detailing Fr. Moses Barry and the making of the film:

http://godsgardenthefilm.com/

Also here is a preview of the film:

Comments

Alana Sheldahl said…
I've met father Moses!  What a kind and wonderful man. 
1:51 PM
Theron Mathis said…
I have heard wonderful things, and from the video, he sounds like a unique and caring person.  It's been a while since this posted originally, and I am not sure the status of the project.  I need to followup and post something.  

If you know anymore, let me know
6:43 PM
Michael said…
I just finished Thomas Oden's book, How Africa Shaped the Christian Mind.  It's a proposal for a deeper study of the influence that Ancient Christian North Africa has had on the church and how the study of Ancient African Fathers can help Africa recover a Christian vision today.  Good read, if you haven't read it.  
3:25 PM
Theron Mathis said…
Thanks for the book recommendation.  I saw it in a catalog the other day, and was intrigued.  I guess I have to add it to the book list.  

I definitely like how Oden has introduced American Christians to the the broader world of historic Christianity.

I think most of think of Africa as tribal and pagan or Muslim.  It was Christian long before it became Muslim, and those Christians thrived especially in places like Ethiopia.  Even in Egypt, the Coptics have continued to exist in spite of Islam, at least till recently.  

Were there any big surprises for you when reading the book?
11:49 AM
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