Streams of Spirituality: Six Traditions in the Black Church.

This article examines the diversity of African American Christian spirituality within the Black Protestant church in the United States by identifying six distinct yet interrelated streams: contemplative, liberationist, womanist, Holiness, Pentecostal/charismatic, and evangelical. Each stream is explored through its historical context, biblical foundations, notable exemplars, and characteristic spiritual practices, highlighting their unique contributions shaped by African American cultural and historical experiences. The contemplative stream emphasizes prayer and reflection amid suffering; the liberationist stream focuses on justice and nonviolent resistance; the womanist stream centers on the embodied wisdom and survival of Black women; the Holiness stream stresses sanctification and holy living; the Pentecostal/charismatic stream highlights the experiential power of the Holy Spirit; and the evangelical stream prioritizes Scripture, personal conversion, and social engagement. The article underscores the importance of recognizing this multifaceted spirituality to enrich broader Christian spiritual formation and scholarship.