http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1X5sZ6Q4Fw
This past week I attended a conference organized by the Ekklesia Project on the topic of race and racism in the Church. Before the conference I read James Cone’s 1970 book A Black Theology of Liberation and after reading it I felt ashamed that it had taken me so long to read one of his books in its entirety. I’m currently devouring one of his later books, God of the Oppressed, and I am increasingly sure that Cone is one of the most important contemporary American theologians, hands down.
Of course, Cone has been associated with the controversy surrounding Jeremiah Wright in recent months, and his Black Theology has been condemned by various pundits and bloggers. (Mostly white dudes, of course.) This is to be expected, if we take Jesus at his word: “Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5: 11-12).
To get a taste of Cone himself, unfiltered by FOX News or Rush Limbaugh, check out the interview above. Also be sure to check out David Horstkoetter’s collection of posts on Obama/Wright/Cone. He suggests you check out Bill Moyers’ interview with Cone as well in which he elaborates on his recent work on the cross and the lynching tree.
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In