God of the Oppressed [Paperback]

James H. Cone (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1997

In his reflections on God, Jesus, suffering, and liberation, James H. Cone relates the gospel message to the experience of the black community. But a wider theme of the book is the role that social and historical context plays in framing the questions we address to God as well as the mode of the answers provided.

Product Details

• Paperback: 300 pages
• Publisher: Orbis Books; Rev Sub edition (October 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570751587
• ISBN-13: 978-1570751585
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #42,471 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #53 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Religious Studies > Sociology

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mandatory Reading for Those Who Believe That Real Christians Do Not Suffer, March 16, 2007

By 

Frederick A. Hanna "tru2ak" (Neptune, NJ United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: God of the Oppressed (Paperback)

James Cone develops a perspective on Black Theology in God of the Oppressed, by looking directly through the lens of Liberation Theology. He formulates an argument against the oppression of the poor by virtue of "divine love or divine power," which is heavily influenced by the Bible. The question of God's presence in the face of racism, oppression, depravity of social and economic power and the perpetual suffering experienced by many blacks throughout the Diaspora is raised. If the Christian God is truly the one who liberated Israel from the Egyptians, if this is the same Jesus who had compassion for the poor and the marginalized in the world, then we need to know why God does not act to eliminate the suffering, especially amongst black people. Some might be willing to deny God's benevolence and God's sovereignty, but Cone declares that to do this would deny an essential element of black faith. "It is a violation of black faith to weaken either divine love or divine power;" therefore, there must be an alternative. This is consistent with a view of God as the Creator who loves and cares for that which God created.

The bible is of primary importance to James Cone's perspective on suffering. He utilizes scripture to reconcile the suffering of the "innocent and weak" with the Bible's claims that God is a liberator of the poor and a protector of the weak. In God's relationship with the Hebrew slaves, we see God's preferential option for the poor being exercised. It is God who tells Moses that he should go to Pharaoh and declare, "Let my people go." It is Israel's story of faithfulness to a faithful God in spite of their oppression that leads to the liberation of the Hebrew slaves. It is God's love for the people of God that serves as the motivation to free Israel. Still, intertwined in this liberating and loving God, there was always suffering. Cone affirms that evil (suffering) exists. Noted theologians like Calvin attest to this as well, but without the purpose that Cone attaches to it. There are precious many Psalms of lament. Psalms that speak both of the great, benevolent, loving God and at the same time lament the treatment of the orphan and the widow who are slain at the hand of the wicked. "O Lord, how long shall the wicked, How long shall the wicked exult?" (Psalm 94:3 RSV) The problem, according to Cone, is not the presence of suffering in Scripture, but the distribution of suffering.

I could say more, but you ought to read this book for yourself... Grace and Peace

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Classic, Foundational Expression of Black Liberation Theology, August 31, 2007

By 

Robert W. Kellemen "Doc. K." (Crown Point, IN United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: God of the Oppressed (Paperback)

"The God of the Oppressed" by James H. Cone has been considered a classic in the genre since it's publication over three decades ago in 1975. Obviously, conservative Christians and conservative theologians will disagree with various conclusions in "The God of the Oppressed." However, if one wants to understand the basic tenants of black liberation theology, and one of the "founding fathers" of the movement, then this is the book to read.

Cone, like millions of African American Christians before him, parallels the African American experience of slavery with the Israelite's enslavement in Egypt. For Caucasian Christians, it is vital to understand that America as the Promised Land has been a white experience and perspective, and has not been true for the black experience.

Cone develops a theology of suffering and of social justice from his interpretation of biblical passages on these topics integrated with the black experience in America. Again, while his interpretations can be offensive to conservative readers, being introduced to them is a good place to begin an intelligent dialogue. Cone's personal philosophy and political policies often seem to impact his biblical interpretations, though this is true with all writers and theologians.

For a historical perspective that provides a conservative black expression of the experience of suffering, readers can consider Beyond the Suffering. Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direction

25 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Challenging Perspective, May 20, 2000

By 

rob - See all my reviews

This review is from: God of the Oppressed (Paperback)

This book is a must read for those who come from a conservative anglo-american background. It helped me to realize the way that my culture has often distorted my understanding of God's work, and it opened my eyes to new ways of viewing God that are challenging but refreshing. As racial reconciliation becomes a larger issue in the church today, this book is important for all laypeople who are serious about reconciling.