African Empires of Biblical Antiquity

Name: African Empires of Biblical Antiquity
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Identifying the great Black or African Empires through the lens of biblical history and biblical anthropology

Created byEric Betts, Ph.D.

Last updated 8/2023

English

What you'll learn

How to define the biblical lands as an Afro-Asiatic world rather than the European definition of Middle East
How to identify the great African Empires in the biblical accounts, and their contributions
How to explain biblical anthropology and etymology through an African ancestral lens
How to identify the historical attempts to de-Africanize the Biblical Story
How to connect human origins to the African world from a biblical lens
How the theological concept of divine election influences ethnic prejudice in history
How the West African cultural anthropology connects with Egyptian/Hebrew religion and the biblical story

Course content

4 sections • 16 lectures • 4h 53m total length

Introduction20:46
Instructor bio and what to expect in this course.
Contemporary Definitions of Blackness and Ancient Anthropology18:09
This lecture involves the complications of defining blackness in history and contemporary times, and the hypocrisy of some Eurocentric scholars when their contemporaries identify African, Black and Melinated persons in scripture.
Questions from the Introductory Section

Noah, Lake Chad, and the African Aqualithic19:45
This lecture will present the ancient story of "The Great Deluge" from an African perspective. It will also emphasize the African origins of Noah and his three progenitors who became prominent as fathers of the nations represented in the biblical story.
Eden, Ham, Kush and Kedar in Light of Origins21:39
This lesson goes further into Hamitic and Semitic origins within the African context. Attention is also given to the people of Kedar, who are descendants of Ishmael.
The History of Nimrod--The Man Who Ruled the World Part 120:52
In this lecture we correct the many mistaken ideas surrounding the character of Nimrod as a biblical figure and identify the nature of the great cities which he built.
The History of Nimrod--The Man Who Ruled the World Part 219:19
This lecture dives into the Assyrian cities which were built by Nimrod which grew into cities of a great empire
Questions Based on Section 2 of This Lecture Series

The Semetic Orientation of the Table of Nations and the Role of Egypt25:50
This study considers the theological and political nature of the table of nations and additionally lays the foundation for Egyptian history in its proper African context
Kush, Egypt and the 25th Dynasty Part 119:45
This lecture covers the history of Egypt during the time of the Nubian Dynasty and the role that it played in salvation history
Kush, Egypt and the 25th Dynasty Part 213:04
This lecture continues from the previous lecture and expands on the historic contributions of the 25th Egyptian dynasty
Sheba, Askum and the Land of Punt17:30
This lecture addresses the geography and wealth of Askum and Punt as well as details surrounding the queen of Sheba/Makeda
The Influence of African Kingdoms in Israelite Culture and Religion13:46
This lecture will show the power and influence exerted by the Ethiopians and Egyptians in the world from the time of the United Monarchy to the post-captivity period.
Makeda--The Yardstick of Intellectual and Economic Greatness19:24
Questions Based on Section 3 of the Series

The Hausa Kingdom and the Twin Pyramids of Niger Republic11:53
Students will be able to be able to "connect the dots" between the Hausa Kingdom and the biblical world
The Genesis Record of African Origins16:57
This lecture will refer to linguistics and biblical antiquity to showcase the spiritual heritage of certain West African groups
Akan, Ashanti, Bantu and the Kanem Bornu Empire12:26
A presentation to teach the connection of West African groups to the biblical story, and also answering the question, "What was happening in West Africa in Biblical times?"
Kanem-Bornu, Mali, and Songhai Empires in Light of Biblical Antiquity22:26
A presentation showing how the great West African Empires arose out of what should be included in discussions about "biblical lands" and and began great civilizations
Quiz Based on Section 4 of this Course

Requirements

No prior experience needed
Basic knowledge of the biblical stories of the Old Testament

Description

Throughout history, whether through deliberate action, ignorance or dismissive attitudes, a de-Africanized view of the Bible has been normalized. This course will challenge narratives that seek to diminish the black and African presence in the bible, and will show that it is in an Afro-Asiatic context that the events and stories of the bible occur. The great African empires of the bible will become more visible and prominent through these lectures. Part of the liberation and justice work on behalf of those classified as black is affirming the historical contributions to human history and religion by black or African civilizations which has been historically whitewashed. This course will analyze the Gen. 10, "Table of Nations," and will correct many common misnomers and inaccuracies about the descendants of Noah. It will also show the rise of the great African empires and their connection to the larger biblical narrative and tradition. The course will provide an Afrocentric view of what is meant by the term, "biblical lands," as one analyzes contemporary biblical maps. One of the problematic aspects of the way that the biblical story is perceived is the doctrine of divine election, and this course will show a better way of viewing Israel's history. It will answer questions such as: Where did the populations of the bible originate? Where did Noah's flood occur? and What African empires influenced Jewish history? You will be challenged with other perspectives as you study.

Who this course is for:

Curious students of African antiquities who respect the biblical story
Educators who seek a more inclusive focus of history
Clergy who seek professional growth and life long learning
Bible class facilitators who seek to highlight Africans and black people in the bible

African Empires of Biblical Antiquity

What you'll learn

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Course content

Introduction to Black Biblical Antiquities2 lectures • 39min

Origin Stories and Early African Civilizations4 lectures • 1hr 22min

The Afro-Asiatic Kingdoms of the Hebrew Bible6 lectures • 1hr 49min

West African Civilizations and Biblical Antiquity4 lectures • 1hr 4min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: