What is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19th, marks a significant milestone in American history, commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. The day derives its name from a combination of “June” and “nineteenth,” the date in 1865 when Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce the end of the American Civil War and the abolition of slavery in the United States. This announcement came more than two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, declaring that all enslaved people in Confederate-held territories were to be freed.
Despite the Proclamation, enforcement of the order was limited, and many enslaved individuals remained unaware of their freedom until Granger’s arrival. On that day, Granger publicly read General Order No. 3, which formally announced to those in Texas that all enslaved people were free. This revelation was a moment of immense joy and celebration for the formerly enslaved individuals and their families, signaling the end of a painful chapter in American history.1
Juneteenth has evolved into a significant celebration for many, while for others, it has brought existing divisions to light. Nevertheless, the understanding of Juneteenth can be regarded as a profound reflection of God’s response to the earnest prayers of countless Black individuals who endured the hardships of bondage. In many Black communities in the United States, this day is often affectionately referred to as “Jubilee Day.”
In biblical tradition, as outlined in Leviticus 25, a Jubilee year signifies a distinct period of release and restoration that occurs every 50 years. This sacred time encompasses the emancipation of enslaved individuals, the forgiveness of debts, and the reinstatement of land to its original owners.2 While the themes of debt and land ownership don’t closely correspond with Juneteenth, the emancipation of enslaved individuals certainly does.
Juneteenth’s Theological Implications
Juneteenth holds profound theological significance, particularly within Christian traditions. It invites contemplation on essential themes such as liberation, justice, delayed fulfillment, communal memory, and divine providence. At its core, Juneteenth celebrates the idea of freedom, specifically, the liberation from bondage and the affirmation of human dignity.
This theme resonates strongly with the biblical narrative of the Exodus, which depicts God’s deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. For many Blacks, particularly during the 18th and 19th centuries, the story of Exodus provided a meaningful framework for understanding both their suffering and their aspirations for hope. Enslaved preachers often drew parallels between themselves and Moses, while Pharaoh represented the oppressive forces of the slaveholding class. In this context, Juneteenth emerges as a significant moment when the promise of divine deliverance is ultimately realized, albeit after a painful delay. This observance echoes the biblical assurance that God remains attentive to the plight of the oppressed.3
Delayed Justice
One of Juneteenth’s most profound theological implications is the concept of delayed justice. The people of Galveston remained enslaved for more than two years after legal emancipation. This delay raises questions about the nature of justice and theodicy: Why does liberation not come swiftly? Why must the oppressed wait? These questions are not merely historical, but also deeply theological. The prophets of the Hebrew Bible, such as Habakkuk and Isaiah, often grappled with delayed justice. In the words of the prophet Habakkuk: “How long, Lord, have I called for help, And You do not hear? I cry to You, ‘Violence!’ Yet You do not save” (Habakkuk 1:2, NASB). This verse expresses the prophet’s plea to God about the ongoing injustice and violence in the world, and it voices his passionate query of why God is not intervening. Juneteenth thus serves as a call to remain steadfast in faith, even when freedom is not immediately attainable. It reflects the tension between the “already” and the “not yet” that pervades Christian eschatology.
The Image of God
Secondly, Christian theology holds that all people are made in the image of God (Imago Dei), which implies inherent dignity and worth. The very existence of slavery is a theological contradiction, a rejection of that divine image. Millard J. Erickson, author of Christian Theology, declares, “Because all are made in the image of God, nothing should be done to encroach upon another’s legitimate exercise of dominion. Freedom should not be taken from humans. This means, most obviously, that slavery is improper.”4 Juneteenth is a day of reclaiming that image, a collective assertion of dignity by a people long denied their humanity. It challenges Christians to examine how institutions have betrayed the core of their faith by upholding systems of oppression.5
Remembrance
Thirdly, the act of remembering is deeply spiritual. Throughout Scripture, God calls people to remember, not just their triumphs but their trials. Juneteenth is both a celebration and a lament. On the one hand, the day is a celebration of freedom, and on the other, it’s an opportunity to lament its delay and the suffering that preceded it. Theologically, lament is not despair; it is an act of faith that God hears and answers. Juneteenth invites a communal memory that is honest, redemptive, and oriented toward justice. It reminds believers that the road to liberation includes acknowledging pain and confronting uncomfortable truths.
Redemption
Lastly, the story of Juneteenth also offers a vision of redemptive history. While the delay in freedom can be hard to understand, the eventual arrival of justice represents a form of historical and theological reconciliation. In Christian theology, redemption is both personal and communal, restoring right relationships. Juneteenth calls on the church to participate in that redemptive work by advocating for racial justice, equality, and reconciliation in contemporary society.
Why Should All Christians Acknowledge Juneteenth?
As Christians, we should celebrate God’s remarkable acts throughout history and honor the significance of Juneteenth alongside American Independence Day, Veterans Day, Memorial Day, and the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. Each of these observances reflect sacrifice and resilience, including Juneteenth, which acknowledges the struggles of enslaved individuals whose contributions have shaped our nation’s identity. By celebrating Juneteenth, we recognize their humanity and the profound impact of their experiences on our collective history. If you haven’t already, let Juneteenth enter your holiday repertoire as a chance to celebrate God’s work in the life of our nation.
Moreover, let us allow Juneteenth to serve as a bridge to foster understanding and empathy within our diverse communities. By engaging in meaningful conversations about race, history, and justice, we can help bridge divides and work towards a future where unity prevails within the Christian community. Embracing the lessons of the past allows us to work toward a more equitable and compassionate society for all.
Bibliography
Campbell B Randall. “The End of Slavery in Texas: A Research Note.” The Southwestern Historical Quarterly 88, no. 1 (1984), http://www.jstor.org/stable/30239840.
Erickson, Millard J. Christian Theology. 2. ed., 2. print. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1999.
Garrett-Scott, Shennette, Cummings Richardson, Rebecca, and Dillard-Allen, Venita. “‘When Peace Come’: Teaching the Significance of Juneteenth.” Black History Bulletin 76, no. 2 (2013): 19–25. http://www.jstor.org/stable/24759690.
Shuler, Clarence, William Richardson, and Gary Chapman. Winning the Race to Unity: Is Racial Reconciliation Really Working? Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2003.
Collins, Izola Ethel Fedford. Island of Color: Where Juneteenth Started. Bloomington, Ind: AuthorHouse, 2004.
- Randolph B Campbell. “The End of Slavery in Texas: A Research Note.” The Southwestern Historical Quarterly 88, no. 1 (1984): 71. http://www.jstor.org/stable/30239840. ↩︎
- Shennette Garrett-Scott, Rebecca Cummings Richardson, and Venita Dillard-Allen. “‘When Peace Come’: Teaching the Significance of Juneteenth.” Black History Bulletin 76, no. 2 (2013): 19–25. http://www.jstor.org/stable/24759690. ↩︎
- Millard J. Erickson, Christian Theology, 2. ed., 2. print (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1999), 566-67. ↩︎
- Millard J. Erickson, Christian Theology, 534-36. ↩︎
- Randolph B. Campbell “The End of Slavery in Texas: A Research Note.” 71-72. ↩︎
