Biblical Black History Resource Library
Key Scripture
Curse of Canaan
Genesis 10: 6 (NIV)
6 The sons of Ham: Cush, Mizraim (Egypt),
Put and Canaan.
Psalm 68:31 (NIV)
31 Envoys will come from Egypt;
Cush will submit herself to God.
In the Book of Philemon (between Titus and Hebrews), we read Paul's personal letter to a friend who owned a slave. Paul asked his friend to not only forgive the run away slave, but to accept him as a brother in Christ. It is the life application of what Paul stated in Colossians 3:11, "Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised... slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all."
Just because one may claim to be Christian does not mean what they do is a Christian practice.
The Overview of Black Christianity and the Bible and Racism links on the home page can give you further information on the subject; however, in direct response to the argument regarding the Curse of Canaan:
GOD blessed Ham twice (Gen. 9:1, 8-10)
Canaan was cursed, not Ham. (Gen. 9:22)
Noah cursed Canaan (Ham's son), not GOD. (Gen. 9:25)
Noah cursed Canaan after waking up from being intoxicated and being discovered by Ham. (Gen. 9:24)
Canaan was cursed to his brothers (Gen. 9:25)
African Americans are not descended from Canaan although they are descended from Ham. (Many biblical scholars believe West Africans migrated through Africa from Cush- Gen. 10:15-19).
Jesus has Canaanite ancestry (Matthew 1:5- Rahab)
He became a curse for us all (Galatians 3:13). So even if there was something to the curse of Canaan, it absolutely ended at Calvary (Golgotha or Skull Place- John 19:17).
As a nation or people, Canaan was filled with perversion and debauchery. The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were a part of the nation of Canaan; however, their sin had absolutely nothing to do with skin color.
Suggested sermon & Bible study topics:
Through Christ, generational curses are not permanent.
Black people and the curse of Canaan.
Defending against racist perversion of Scripture.
We are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Psalm 139:14
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.