Newly updated and expanded, this classic work is a product of the Civil Rights and Black Power movements in America during the 1960's. Black Theology & Black Power is James H. Cone's initial attempt to identify liberation as the heart of the Christian gospel, and blackness as the primary mode of God's presence. As he explains in an introduction written for this edition, "I wanted to speak on behalf of the voiceless black masses in the name of Jesus whose gospel I believed had been greatly distorted by the preaching and theology of white churches."
Black Theology and Black Power
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
James Hal Cone (born 1938) is the founder of Black Liberation Theology, a Professor of Systematic Theology at Union Theological Seminary, and author of books such as A Black Theology of Liberation, God of the Oppressed, Black Theology: A Documentary History, etc.
He wrote in the Introduction to this 1969 book, "Black Power is the most important development in American life in this century," and "there is a need to begin to analyze it from a theological perspective." He adds, "It is my thesis ... that Black Power ... is not the antithesis of Christianity... It is, rather, Christ's central message to twentieth-century America."
He defines Black Power as "complete emancipation of black people from white oppression by whatever means black people deem necessary." (Pg. 6) It is not racism or hatred; it is "an affirmation of the humanity of blacks in spite of white racism." (Pg. 16)
He argues that Black Power and Christianity have this in common: the liberation of man. (Pg. 39) He suggests further that if Christ is present among the oppressed, "he must be working through the activity of Black Power. This alone is my thesis." (Pg. 48) As a slogan, he offers, "Christ means Black Power!" (pg. 112), and "To be Christian is to be one of those whom God has chosen. God has chosen black people!" (Pg. 151)
Although Cone's rhetoric may seem too "fiery" today, we must remember that he wrote these words in 1969, not 2012 or later; America was significantly different back then. But the "positive" affirmations of his message still have their power, even today.
He wrote in the Introduction to this 1969 book, "Black Power is the most important development in American life in this century," and "there is a need to begin to analyze it from a theological perspective." He adds, "It is my thesis ... that Black Power ... is not the antithesis of Christianity... It is, rather, Christ's central message to twentieth-century America."
He defines Black Power as "complete emancipation of black people from white oppression by whatever means black people deem necessary." (Pg. 6) It is not racism or hatred; it is "an affirmation of the humanity of blacks in spite of white racism." (Pg. 16)
He argues that Black Power and Christianity have this in common: the liberation of man. (Pg. 39) He suggests further that if Christ is present among the oppressed, "he must be working through the activity of Black Power. This alone is my thesis." (Pg. 48) As a slogan, he offers, "Christ means Black Power!" (pg. 112), and "To be Christian is to be one of those whom God has chosen. God has chosen black people!" (Pg. 151)
Although Cone's rhetoric may seem too "fiery" today, we must remember that he wrote these words in 1969, not 2012 or later; America was significantly different back then. But the "positive" affirmations of his message still have their power, even today.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By bill
Format:Paperback
Black Theology & Black Power is the greatest book ever written on black religion in the United States. Professor James Cone of Union Theological Seminary in New York City wrote this classic text in 1969, at the height of African Americans struggling to be recognized as human beings in the United States.
Dr. Cone argues that if African Americans intend to discover their true self-worth, they must be willing to embrace a new cultural and religious aesthetic. The old hermeneutics have not allowed African Americans to come into their fullness as a people or as unique individuals, who are called to discover their divinity.
Black Theology & Black Power is a must read for any African American clergy or black Christian in general, who wants to experience the Divine anew.
I highly recommend this book because it has the potential to change ones thinking about the Divine. It is books like Black Theology & Black Power that will ultimate change to world.
Douglas E. Thomas, Ph.D.The Obama Factor: How Barack Obama Elevated Human Consciousness
Dr. Cone argues that if African Americans intend to discover their true self-worth, they must be willing to embrace a new cultural and religious aesthetic. The old hermeneutics have not allowed African Americans to come into their fullness as a people or as unique individuals, who are called to discover their divinity.
Black Theology & Black Power is a must read for any African American clergy or black Christian in general, who wants to experience the Divine anew.
I highly recommend this book because it has the potential to change ones thinking about the Divine. It is books like Black Theology & Black Power that will ultimate change to world.
Douglas E. Thomas, Ph.D.The Obama Factor: How Barack Obama Elevated Human Consciousness
19 of 29 people found the following review helpful
By A. Tripp
Format:Paperback
James Cone put forth Black Theology and Black Power as an explanation of the change required for black men to survive in this society. Cone defines black power as, "complete emancipation of black people by whatever means black people deem necessary." This emancipation call means, "black people no longer see themselves as without human dignity but as men." Cone explains that black people see themselves without human dignity because white society has objectified them. As an object they are not relational beings, but objects of exploit for the privilege and the empowerment of whites. For Cone this went back to the beginning of the African experience in America. The suffering of the black experience was real, and "black people cannot live according to what ought to be, but according to what is."
This book is without the luxury of time to come to grips with black meaning in a society which incessantly indoctrinated him with a message that he was less then human, less then whole. Cone did not have the luxury of education in the seminary in theologies other then those made by white men talking to other white men as the church made even Augustine and Jesus white in his time. He did not write in a vacuum and neither can his book be read in a vacuum.
It is an essential book for understanding Black Liberation.
This book is without the luxury of time to come to grips with black meaning in a society which incessantly indoctrinated him with a message that he was less then human, less then whole. Cone did not have the luxury of education in the seminary in theologies other then those made by white men talking to other white men as the church made even Augustine and Jesus white in his time. He did not write in a vacuum and neither can his book be read in a vacuum.
It is an essential book for understanding Black Liberation.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Union Student Review
Great book! Provides insight on a time period which desperately needed a wake up call. Taking a class from Dr. Cone now who is sharing what led up to his writing of his books.
Published 2 months ago by Natalie R. Perkins
1.0 out of 5 stars
Utter Garbage!
This book is a horrible representation of Christianity which encourages hate and racism in the church. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Jim Green
5.0 out of 5 stars
Difficult but Necessary Reading
THis is certainly a difficult book to read. It makes one think and it stirs one to action. The author calls the reader to action. It is not enough to contemplate theology. Read more
Published 19 months ago
3.0 out of 5 stars
Of course, Marxism is the solution we ultimately arrive at, right?
I've never been able to get to the bottom of the implicit premise of Marxists that blacks just can't exist as equals in a free market world. Read more
Published 20 months ago by J. Hartley
2.0 out of 5 stars
Is this really black theology?
I read this book trying to understand Obama's mind set. After all he attended this church for 20 years. Read more
Published on October 3, 2008 by Cathy from Arizona
3.0 out of 5 stars
Conclusion Yuck!
I am of the understanding that this author has issues. He argues about white racism and uses it as a jumping off point to a Worldview that Blacks should have and whites should have... Read more
Published on June 16, 2008 by Philip S Roeda
2.0 out of 5 stars
Black Power & BlackTheology
I bought this book in response to a challange by The Rev. Jermiah A. Wright (Pastor, now retired, Trinity United. Read more
Published on June 8, 2008 by G. F. Westendorf
2.0 out of 5 stars
If you buying this for reading plesure, forget it
In advance, sorry fo he typos my keyboard is messed up.
This is not for those who read for fun. Read more
This is not for those who read for fun. Read more
Published on January 6, 2003 by "masterpaul"
3.0 out of 5 stars
excellent
i am jewish and did not hesitate to read this book. it gives you a good definition of black power. i learned that black power is not the oppisite of white power, but is by any... Read more
Published on September 1, 2000
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 54
books:
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100
books
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- BLACK POWR POL LIB V33 by Stokely Carmichael on 8 pages
- Black Religion: The Negro and Christianity in the United States by Jr. Joseph R. Washington on 4 pages
- Black Power Revolt by Floyd B. Barbour in Back Matter (1), Back Matter (2), and Back Matter (3)
- Negro Mood by Lerone Bennett in Back Matter (1), Back Matter (2), and Back Matter (3)
- Native Son by Richard A. Wright on page 20, page 23, and Back Matter
See all 54 books this book cites
- Christianity on Trial: African-American Religious Thought Before and After Black Power (Bishop Henry McNeal Turner/Sojourner Truth Series in Black Religion) by Marc Chapman on 18 pages
- Introducing Black Theology of Liberation by Dwight N. Hopkins on 17 pages
- My Soul Looks Back by James H. Cone on 9 pages
- Saints in Exile: The Holiness-Pentecostal Experience in African American Religion and Culture (Religion in America Life) by Cheryl J. Sanders on 5 pages
- Heart and Head: Black Theology--Past, Present, and Future by Dwight N. Hopkins on 5 pages
See all 100 books citing this book
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