Vanderbilt Divinity School

 by Cynthia Johnson-Oliver

Bishop Johnson Documentary Film In Progress

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Rev. Cynthia Johnson-Oliver interviews about Bishop Joseph Johnson History Project

We are pleased to announce that filming is underway for a documentary about the life and legacy of Bishop Joseph Andrew Johnson Jr. Thanks to a grant from the Lily Endowment (via the Louisville Institute) and a matching grant from Vanderbilt University, Bishop Johnson’s life story will now be told in print and on the small screen.

Interview with Anthony Johnson

Rev. Johnson-Oliver interviews Anthony Johnson

The biography and documentary projects are led by Rev. Cynthia Johnson-Oliver, granddaughter of Bishop Johnson and founder of the Bishop Joseph Johnson History Project, which seeks to preserve the oral history, sermons, books, papers, and legacy of Bishop Johnson, and share his inspiring life story with a new generation. She is joined by producer Robin Mazyck and cameraman Denis Pacuraru as partners in the documentary project. Filming thus far has included interviews of Bishop Johnson’s descendants and other family members along with an interview of Bishop Othal Hawthone Lakey, author of The History of the CME Church. In late August, filming will take place at Vanderbilt University and at Capers Memorial CME Church, where Johnson served as pastor while attending Vanderbilt. Future filming will take place in northern Louisiana; Denver, Colorado; Memphis and Jackson, Tennessee; and at Phillips School of Theology at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia.

Bishop Johnson was the first African American to graduate from Vanderbilt University, receiving the Bachelor of Divinity in 1954.  He was also the first African American to receive a PhD from the university (1958), and the first to serve as a full member of the university’s Board of Trusts (1971). Johnson was also a bishop in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, a civil rights advocate, and a pioneer in the field of black liberation theology. He is the author of The Soul of the Black Preacher, Proclamation Theology, and other works. In 1984, five years after his death, the Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center was dedicated on Vanderbilt’s campus. Most recently, Bishop Johnson was posthumously named a distinguished alumnus of Vanderbilt Divinity School in 2014, and earlier this year, the Joseph A. Johnson, Jr., Distinguished Leadership Professor Award  was created in his honor.

For more information and ongoing updates from the Bishop Joseph Johnson History Project, follow the history project blog and Facebook page. Contact Rev. Johnson-Oliver to share your memories about Bishop Johnson or to arrange an interview.

Dr. Joseph A. Johnson III, Rev. Cynthia Johnson-Oliver, and Rev. Rose Johnson-Thompson
Rev. Cynthia Johnson-Oliver and Dr. Joseph A. Johnson III
Cameraman Denis Pacuraru and Rev. Cynthia Johnson-Oliver
Rev. Cynthia Johnson-Oliver interviews Anthony Johnson

The Bishop Joseph Johnson History Project is grateful for funding from the Lily Endowment (via the Louisville Institute), Vanderbilt University, and Friends of the Bishop Joseph Johnson History Project.

 

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 by Cynthia Johnson-Oliver

Bishop Joseph Johnson Posthumously Receives Distinguished Alumni Award, Vanderbilt Divinity

 

Dean Emilie Townes presents award; Rev. Cynthia Johnson-Oliver accepts award for Bishop Johnson
Rev. Cynthia Johnson-Oliver delivers acceptance speech
Dean Emilie Townes pictured with Distinguished Alumni/ae Honorees. L. to R.: Rev. Becca Stevens, Dean Emilie Townes, Rev. Dr. Thomas Ogletree, and Rev. Cynthia Johnson-Oliver
Honorees and Presenters
Distinguished Alumnus certificate
Rev. Cynthia Johnson-Oliver and Dr. Evelyn Parker
Banner Celebrating 30th Anniversary of the Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center at Vanderbilt University

 

Cynthia accepting awardBishop Joseph A. Johnson, Jr. was posthumously conferred the “Distinguished Alumnus” award at Vanderbilt Divinity School on October 3, 2014. Bishop Johnson was the first African American to graduate from Vanderbilt University (BD’54), the first to receive a PhD (1958) and the first to serve as a full member on the Board of Trusts. [Click here for full bio.]

The Distinguished Alumni award award is “given to someone who has demonstrated excellence and distinction in justice making through their work in congregational ministry, religious institutions, ecumenical organizations, community –based organizations, government, or other social institutions.”

The award was presented by Dr. Emilie Townes, Dean of Vanderbilt Divinity School, and Dr. Frank Dobson, Director of the Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center at Vanderbilt University. The award was accepted on behalf of Bishop Johnson by Rev. Cynthia Johnson-Oliver, granddaughter of Bishop Johnson and president of the Bishop Joseph Johnson History Project.

In presenting the award, Dr. Dobson quoted from Bishop Johnson’s book, The Soul of the Black Preacher:

“Soul is the strength to survive in a hostile environment, to break through the legal and social conventions which tend to dehumanize and degrade. Soul is the ability to use creatively the destructive powers of a racist American society for the development of a tough faith and undying hope.”  – Bishop Joseph A. Johnson, Jr.

Dr. Dobson concluded, “Bishop Joseph Johnson broke through those legal and social conventions, and in doing so, he changed Vanderbilt forever. It is thus very fitting on the 100th anniversary of his birth and the 60th anniversary of his first graduation from Vanderbilt that this honor is being bestowed upon him.”

Rev. Cynthia Johnson-Oliver accepted the award on behalf of her grandfather:

Rev. Cynthia Johnson-Oliver delivers acceptance speech

Rev. Cynthia Johnson-Oliver delivers acceptance speech

I want to thank the faculty of Vanderbilt Divinity School and Dean Emilie Townes for honoring my grandfather. I also want to thank Dr. Frank Dobson for his presentation of this award.

It is an honor for me to accept this award on behalf of my grandfather and on behalf of all of my family, some of whom are present this evening. I also accept this award on behalf of Capers Memorial CME Church, whose members are also present and where Bishop Johnson pastored while at Vanderbilt, and the entire CME Church.

In the introduction to Bishop Johnson’s book, The Soul of the Black Preacher, Bishop C.D. Coleman (who wrote the introduction) describes the black preacher as “teacher, healer, carpenter, and undertaker by necessity. It was he who took down the mutilated bodies…after the mobs had done their worst. It was he who represented black people to a hostile white community in times of deep trouble.” These words possessed deep meaning for Bishop Johnson, who, early in his ministry, did actually perform the funeral of a man who had been lynched.

Today, however, those who carry Bishop Johnson’s legacy are not limited to black preachers. They include those who minister to the families of Trevon Martin and Michael Brown and other African Americans families denied racial justice. But they also include those who minister at the US-Mexican border to children fleeing in a mass exodus to a better life. They include people of faith who interdict human traffickers, freeing people from modern-day slavery. They include those who minister to families experiencing the trauma of domestic violence.

Today, my grandfather’s legacy is carried by the soul of the justice-seeking preacher who is committed, as Bishop Johnson was, to improving our world with the intellectual, interpretive power to proclaim the gospel in liberating ways, combined with courageous pastoral care to those at the margins of society, along with faithful action for social and economic justice on behalf of the least, the last, and the lost.

It is this vision of mind and soul, of intellect and faith in the service of justice that compelled Bishop Johnson to attend Vanderbilt, and it is a vision that he carried throughout his life, his ministry, and his theology. I thank Vanderbilt Divinity School for honoring Bishop Johnson and his legacy. I thank Bishop Johnson for his life vision, and for all of us who carry his legacy, our soul-filled struggle for a more just world continues.   – Rev. Cynthia Johnson-Oliver

 

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 by Cynthia Johnson-Oliver

Scholars, Religious Leaders Reflect on Bishop Johnson’s Life and Legacy

Banner Celebrating 30th Anniversary of the Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center at Vanderbilt University
Panel Discussion on Legacy of Bishop Joseph A. Johnson, Jr., held at the Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center at Vanderbilt University L. to R.: Rev. Cynthia Johnson-Oliver, Dr. Riggins Earl, Bishop Paul Stewart, Dr. Evelyn Parker, and Dean Emilie Townes
Rev. Cynthia Johnson-Oliver speaks about Bishop Johnson's early life and ministry.
Dr. Riggins Earl reflects on Bishop Johnson's experience and legacy as the first African American student at Vanderbilt.
Bishop Paul Stewart speaks about Bishop Johnson's legacy in the CME Church.
Senior Bishop Lawrence L. Reddick and Bishop Paul Stewart of the CME Church
L to R: Dwayne Johnson, Patricia Johnson-Powell, Rev. Cynthia Johnson-Oliver, Dr. Riggins Earl, Bishop Paul Stewart, Dr. Evelyn Parker, Dean Emilie Townes, Bishop Lawrence L. Reddick, and Dr. Frank Dobson
Bishop Lawrence L. Reddck, Rev. Cynthia Johnson-Oliver, and Dr. Riggins Earl
Rev. Cynthia Johnson-Oliver and Dean Emilie Townes
Rev. Cynthia Johnson-Oliver and Dr. Evelyn Parker

The auditorium of the Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center at Vanderbilt University was filled with students and other members of the Vanderbilt community, members of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, including Senior Bishop Lawrence L. Reddick, and members of the Johnson family, all of whom gathered to hear reflections on the life and legacy of the Black Cultural Center’s namesake, Bishop Joseph A. Johnson, Jr.

The event was a panel discussion on the life and legacy of Bishop Johnson that featured scholars and religious leaders. Panelists included Bishop Paul Stewart, retired senior bishop of the CME Church; Dr. Evelyn Parker, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at Perkins School of Theology; Dr. Riggins Earl, Professor of Ethics and Theology at the Interdenominational Theological Center; and Rev. Cynthia Johnson-Oliver, JD, granddaughter of Bishop Johnson and president of the Bishop Joseph Johnson History Project. Dr. Emilie Townes, Dean of Vanderbilt Divinity School, served as moderator of the panel. Dr. Frank Dobson, Director of the Black Cultural Center, introduced the panel.

Rev. Johnson-Oliver, who is currently writing a biography of Bishop Johnson, reflected on his early life and ministry. Dr. Earl then gave reflections on Bishop Johnson’s experiences and his legacy as the first African American student at Vanderbilt. Bishop Stewart reflected on Bishop Johnson’s legacy as a bishop in the CME Church. Dr. Parker offered reflections on growing up as a youth in the episcopal district in which Bishop Johnson presided, along with his scholarly legacy. A highlight of the discussion came after a question by Kevin Brown, a Vanderbilt Divinity School student, who asked about Bishop Johnson as a husband and father. From the audience, Patricia Johnson-Powell, daughter of Bishop Johnson, gave a heart-warming reflection of an egalitarian husband who shared in household responsibilities and regularly affirmed her as his “baby girl.” The panel also addressed questions about Bishop Johnson’s books and their significance today.

[Video of panel discussion is forthcoming.]

Bishop Johnson was the first African American to be admitted to Vanderbilt University. He went on to become the first African American to graduate, receiving the Bachelor of Divinity degree in 1954, and the first to receive the Doctor of Philosophy degree in 1958. In 1971, he was elected to the Vanderbilt Board of Trust and two years later preached at the Divinity School’s Cole Lectures. Bishop Johnson was also the 34th Bishop of the CME Church, the first President of Phillips School of Theology, and Professor of New Testament at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, GA.

In 1984, the Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center at Vanderbilt was dedicated in his honor. In 2013, the Bishop Joseph Johnson History Project was started by Bishop Johnson’s granddaughter, Rev. Cynthia Johnson-Oliver.

The panel discussion marked the 100th anniversary of Bishop Johnson’s birth and the 60th anniversary of Bishop Johnson’s first graduation from Vanderbilt. The Black Cultural Center is also celebrating its 30th anniversary. At an awards ceremony later that evening, Bishop Johnson posthumously received the Distinguished Alumni award conferred by Vanderbilt Divinity School.

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 by Cynthia Johnson-Oliver

Bishop Johnson Named “Distinguished Alumnus” at Vanderbilt Divinity School

2014 Distinguished Alumni Celebration DinnerWe are pleased to announce that Bishop Joseph A. Johnson, Jr. has been named a 2014 Distinguished Alumni/ae award recipient at Vanderbilt Divinity School. The Vanderbilt Divinity School award is “given to someone who has demonstrated excellence and distinction in justice making through their work in congregational ministry, religious institutions, ecumenical organizations, community –based organizations, government, or other social institutions.”

In 1953, Bishop Johnson became the first African American to be admitted to Vanderbilt University. He went on to become the first African American to graduate, receiving the Bachelor of Divinity degree in 1954, and the first to receive the Doctor of Philosophy degree in 1958. In 1971, he was elected to the Vanderbilt Board of Trust and two years later preached at the Divinity School’s Cole Lectures.

In 1966, Bishop Johnson was elected the 34th bishop of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. He also served as President of Phillips School of Theology, Professor of New Testament at the Interdenominational Theological Center, and Dean of Chapel at Fisk University

A pioneer in the field of black theology, Bishop Johnson authored several books, including The Soul of the Black Preacher (1971), The Local Church and Lay Evangelism (1974), Our Faith, Heritage, and Church (1975), Proclamation Theology (1977), and Basic Christian Methodist Beliefs (1978).

In 1984, the Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center at Vanderbilt was dedicated in his honor. In 2013, the Bishop Joseph Johnson History Project was started by Bishop Johnson’s granddaughter, Rev. Cynthia Johnson-Oliver.

Rev. Johnson-Oliver will accept the award on behalf of Bishop Johnson at a celebration dinner to be held on October 3, 2014 at Vanderbilt University. She will also present at a panel discussion on the life and legacy of Bishop Johnson at the Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center.

Other 2014 award recipients include Rev. Dr. Thomas W. Ogletree and Rev. Becca Stevens. Previous Distinguished Alumni/ae recipients include James Lawson, Fred Craddock, Gardner Taylor and Charlotte Hotopp Zachary.

Click here to read article announcing Distinguished Alumni/ae Award.

Click here to read Vanderbilt Divinity School announcement.

Click here for more information about the panel discussion on the life and legacy of Bishop Johnson.

 

 

 

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