Throughout history, religion has been used both as a force of liberation and a tool of oppression. One of the most glaring examples of its manipulation for control is the work of Dr. Charles Colcock Jones, a 19th-century Presbyterian minister and slaveholder, who wrote How to Make a Negro Christian. His book, published in the 1830s, was not just a theological guide but a strategic blueprint for ensuring that enslaved Africans remained subservient through the selective use of Christianity.
Jones’ teachings were a product of his time, yet their impact extended beyond the antebellum South, shaping the racialized structure of American Christianity well into the modern era. To fully understand his work, we must examine the broader historical context of religious instruction in slavery, the resistance of enslaved Africans, and the long-term effects of his ideology.
Who Was Dr. Charles Colcock Jones?
Dr. Charles Colcock Jones (1804–1863) was a Southern Presbyterian minister, theologian, and plantation owner from Georgia, deeply invested in the religious instruction of enslaved people. A product of the American South’s elite, he was educated at Princeton Theological Seminary, where he was influenced by the growing evangelical movement. Unlike some of his Northern contemporaries who leaned toward abolitionism, Jones developed a religious framework that justified slavery as divinely sanctioned.
Jones saw himself as a missionary to enslaved Africans, but his mission was not about freedom or justice—it was about control. He believed that Christianity could be used to “civilize” Black people, reinforcing the racist ideology that they were inherently inferior and needed white guidance. His approach aligned with the broader Southern religious philosophy that sought to harmonize Christian teachings with the economic and social realities of slavery.
The Purpose of How to Make a Negro Christian
Published during the height of slavery, How to Make a Negro Christian was a manual designed to aid slaveowners and clergy in converting enslaved Africans while ensuring that their faith did not lead to rebellion or demands for equality. The book promoted several key ideas:
1. Selective Christianity
Jones advocated for teaching a version of Christianity that emphasized obedience, humility, and submission. He instructed slaveowners and ministers to avoid biblical passages that spoke of freedom, justice, or God’s wrath against oppressors. Instead, they were to focus on scriptures like:
• Ephesians 6:5: “Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.”
• Colossians 3:22: “Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything…”
While these verses were emphasized, others—such as Exodus 9:1, where Moses demands Pharaoh to “Let my people go”—were ignored or forbidden.
2. Religion as a Tool for Social Control
Jones believed that a properly indoctrinated enslaved population would be more docile and less likely to resist their condition. He promoted church services where white ministers reinforced the idea that slavery was God’s will and that rebellion was a sin.
3. White Supervision Over Black Worship
One of Jones’ biggest fears was that unsupervised Black worship could lead to resistance. He insisted that all religious instruction be conducted under white oversight, ensuring that enslaved people did not develop independent theological interpretations that could inspire insurrection.
4. Justification of Slavery as a Moral Good
Jones argued that slavery was not only biblically justified but beneficial for Black people, claiming that Christianizing them was an act of mercy. This belief was common among pro-slavery theologians, who framed slavery as part of a divine plan to uplift so-called “heathens.”
The Broader Historical Context: Religion, Slavery, and Resistance
While Jones’ ideas were influential, they were not universally accepted. Religion was a battleground between the oppressors and the oppressed.
How Slaveholders Used Christianity to Justify Slavery
From the colonial period onward, European colonizers and American slaveholders struggled with the question of whether enslaved Africans could be converted to Christianity. In the early 18th century, some slaveholders resisted Christianizing enslaved people, fearing that baptism might require them to grant them freedom. However, by the 19th century, Southern theologians developed doctrines to reconcile Christianity with slavery, arguing that slavery was part of God’s order.
Churches in the South became deeply complicit in slavery, with major denominations—including the Southern Baptist Convention (founded in 1845)—splitting from their Northern counterparts over the issue. Jones’ work reinforced this theological framework, cementing Christianity as a pillar of the slave system.
Enslaved Africans’ Resistance and Reinterpretation of Christianity
Despite the efforts of Jones and other pro-slavery theologians, enslaved Africans did not passively accept this manipulated version of Christianity. Instead, they reinterpreted biblical stories to reflect their own struggle for freedom.
• The Exodus story: Enslaved people saw themselves as the Israelites and slaveholders as Pharaoh. The story of Moses leading his people out of bondage became a source of inspiration, fueling revolts and escape attempts.
• Jesus as a Liberator: While Jones framed Jesus as a figure who encouraged submission, enslaved preachers saw him as a revolutionary who stood against oppression.
• The Invisible Church: Since official church services were often controlled by white overseers, enslaved Africans formed secret gatherings, known as the “invisible church,” where they worshipped in their own way—often in hush arbors deep in the woods. These meetings became centers of resistance and community strength.
The Long-Term Impact of Jones’ Teachings
Jones’ work did not disappear with the end of slavery. The ideology of a submissive, obedient Black Christian persisted in the form of:
• Post-Reconstruction religious racism: After the Civil War, white-dominated churches continued to push teachings that emphasized Black subservience.
• The rise of the Black Church as a counterforce: In response, African Americans built their own churches, which became centers for social activism, leading to movements like the Civil Rights Movement.
• Modern echoes in white evangelicalism: Even today, some strands of American Christianity reflect Jones’ legacy, as certain theological arguments are used to discourage political activism among Black communities.
Legacy and Modern Reflections
Dr. Charles Colcock Jones represents the darkest side of religious manipulation—how faith, when controlled by oppressors, can be used to reinforce systemic injustice. However, his efforts ultimately failed in their intended goal. Instead of pacifying enslaved people, Christianity became a tool of resistance.
From Nat Turner’s rebellion to the leadership of Martin Luther King Jr., Black Christians have continually reclaimed their faith, transforming it into a source of strength and liberation rather than submission.
Understanding Jones’ work is crucial because it sheds light on how religion has been used to justify oppression—and how those oppressed have always found ways to resist. His book may have been titled How to Make a Negro Christian, but history shows that enslaved Africans and their descendants made Christianity their own, using it to fight for justice, dignity, and freedom.
Final Thoughts
Dr. Charles Colcock Jones’ teachings are a cautionary tale about the power of religious narratives. They remind us that faith, when distorted, can serve as a weapon of oppression. But more importantly, they also demonstrate the resilience of those who refuse to let their spiritual beliefs be used against them.
Blog by Tandra Jones
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What are your thoughts on Jones’ impact? How do you see the legacy of religious control playing out today? Let’s continue this conversation in the comments.
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