My dissertation presents a telling of African American religious history through an engagement with the lives and works of black artists, rather than lay people, clergy, religious institutions and denominations, or the perceived insiders of formal religious traditions. I seek to use twentieth century black art (literary, musical, performance and visual arts) as a resource for interpreting African American religion. My primary concern is the degree to which the arts, and black artists in particular, bear witness to religious tensions that exist within black culture at particular historical junctures. In this light, the Harlem Renaissance, the Black Arts Movement, and Hip Hop music and culture represent three distinct but related soundings on the meaning of religion and race in American history. In each of these moments, black artists working in various media have contributed in significant ways to the shape of American religion. Collectively these voices help to frame a debate within black art and culture regarding how best to bring the resources of the “Spirit” to bear on the problem of race in twentieth century America.