Which biblical verse did Black preachers cite to refer to the abolition of slavery?

Which biblical verse did Black preachers cite to refer to the abolition of slavery?

• A. Psalm 68:31 of the Christian Bible.
• B. John 3:16.
• C. Psalm 23:1.
• D. Isaiah 11:6.

Answer: (A)

The idea being tested is how Black preachers used biblical imagery to support abolition by linking freedom for enslaved people to divine prophecy. The verse that was cited emphasizes a future where distant nations, personified by Ethiopia, turn to God and reach out in worship. This frame honored liberation as part of God’s plan and used Ethiopia—often read as a symbol of Africa and Black people—as a sign that emancipation would be recognized and embraced by the world. In abolitionist rhetoric, this made the demand for freedom not just a political issue but a moral and spiritual one, rooted in scripture. The other options don’t fit as directly. John 3:16 speaks about God’s love and universal salvation, not emancipation or liberation. Psalm 23:1 centers on God’s guidance as shepherd, without a message about emancipation. Isaiah 11:6 envisions a harmonious kingdom, which is hopeful but not a specific reference used to argue abolition.

The idea being tested is how Black preachers used biblical imagery to support abolition by linking freedom for enslaved people to divine prophecy. The verse that was cited emphasizes a future where distant nations, personified by Ethiopia, turn to God and reach out in worship. This frame honored liberation as part of God’s plan and used Ethiopia—often read as a symbol of Africa and Black people—as a sign that emancipation would be recognized and embraced by the world. In abolitionist rhetoric, this made the demand for freedom not just a political issue but a moral and spiritual one, rooted in scripture.

The other options don’t fit as directly. John 3:16 speaks about God’s love and universal salvation, not emancipation or liberation. Psalm 23:1 centers on God’s guidance as shepherd, without a message about emancipation. Isaiah 11:6 envisions a harmonious kingdom, which is hopeful but not a specific reference used to argue abolition.