In 1 Corinthians 12, the apostle Paul highlights the diversity of gifts within the body of Christ. The body of Christ has many members, each with unique gifts that contribute to the function of the whole. Paul uses the analogy of human body parts to illustrate that each part is necessary to the health and function of the body as a whole. The unique gifts God grants are avenues of service and equipping, the members of the body working cohesively to love and serve others. Among these gifts is teaching (1 Cor. 12:28), and the church has a rich history of saints who have contributed to the life and worship of the body through their preaching, teaching, and theological pursuits. As the church in North America continues to learn how to care for one another, suffer with those who suffer, and honor all its parts (1 Cor. 12:25–26), black theologians have uniquely contributed to the edification of Christ’s body. Let’s examine three black theologians who have served the church through their God-given gifts: Carl and Karen Ellis, and Esau McCaulley.
Dr. Carl Ellis Jr.
Over the course of his ministry, Dr. Carl Ellis Jr. has worked tirelessly to preach and teach the Gospel, prepare pastors for multi-ethnic ministry contexts, facilitate fellowship for African American students, and equip the global church through writing. For over forty years, Dr. Ellis has served as a pastor and professor. As Professor of Theology and Culture at Reformed Theological Seminary (RTS), Dr. Ellis leads their African American Leadership Initiative to prepare students who desire to serve in multi-ethnic and predominantly black ministry contexts, and to promote fellowship and mentoring for African American students within the institution. Dr. Ellis published Saving Our Sons: Confronting the Lure of Islam with Truth, Faith & Courage and Free at Last?: The Gospel in the African American Experience, books which address the African American experience and the Islamic religion from a Christian perspective.
Dr. Ellis received his training at Hampton University, Westminster Theological Seminary (WTS), and Oxford Graduate School. Since 1969, he has faithfully served churches in New York and Maryland, and as a faculty member at Chesapeake Theological Seminary, Prison Fellowship, Center for Urban Theological Studies, and WTS. Dr. Ellis also served as Associate Pastor for Cultural Apologetics at New City Fellowship before assuming his role at RTS in 2015. He married his wife Karen Ellis in 2011. Dr. Ellis’ work continues to impact the church as he helps prepare students for Gospel ministry in diverse contexts.
Karen Ellis
K.A. Ellis serves as the Canada Fellow for World Christianity at Reformed Theological Seminary. She received her training at Towson State University, Westminster Theological Seminary, and Yale School of Drama. Over the course of her career, Ellis’ research has focused on world Christianity and ethics, seeking to prepare the next generation of Christians to live faithfully in anti-Christian contexts. Out of these interests, Ellis serves as the Director of the Edmiston Center for the Study of the Bible and Ethnicity in Atlanta, which “promotes practical theological reflection on the challenges, skills, and stories of local and global Christians who endure on society’s margins.” She also works with International Christian Response, which elevates the stories of persecuted Christians around the world.
Ellis’ impact continues to grow as she disciples, teaches, and collaborates with other researchers to understand the challenges Christians engage around the globe. Her teaching and discipleship interests focus on Scripture, global Christianity, and the plight of persecuted Christians. Her research work brings light to issues surrounding human rights and religious freedom, telling stories of those living faithfully where it’s difficult to be a Christian. Ellis’ work continues to bless the church as she researches and leads efforts to advocate for global religious freedom.
Esau McCaulley
Dr. Esau McCaulley was born in 1979, and he currently serves as Associate Professor of New Testament at Wheaton College in Illinois, where he teaches Pauline Exegesis and Theology, African American Biblical Interpretation, and Intertextuality. He is ordained in the Anglican Church in North America and theologian-in-residence at Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago. McCaulley received his training at University of the South, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Nashotah House Theological Seminary, and the University of St. Andrews.
Dr. McCaulley’s impact on theology and the church continues to grow as he teaches, speaks and writes. Dr. McCaulley’s books include Sharing in the Son’s Inheritance,Josey Johnson’s Hair and the Holy Spirit, Lent: The Season of Repentance and Renewal, Reading While Black: African American Biblical Interpretation as an Exercise in Hope, How Far to the Promised Land, and a forthcoming commentary, The New Testament in Color: A Multiethnic Bible Commentary. He is a contributor at Christianity Today and The New York Times, where he explores cultural issues and theological debates from his lens as an African American theologian. Dr. McCaulley’s work opens the eyes of readers to the African American experience of culture, society, and theological study. His work will undoubtedly continue to shape the church and culture in the years to come.
As you learn about these African American theologians, take time to prayerfully consider the ways God might be prompting you to learn more about their work and engage your own gifts in the service of others, for His glory.
