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God of the Oppressed [Paperback]

James H. Cone
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)

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Book Description

October 1, 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.

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God of the Oppressed + A Black Theology of Liberation + Black Theology & Black Power
Price for all three: $40.72

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Product Details

  • Paperback: 300 pages
  • Publisher: Orbis Books; Rev Sub edition (October 1, 1997)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1570751587
  • ISBN-13: 978-1570751585
  • Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #50,379 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
28 of 32 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
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
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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
"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
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29 of 39 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A Challenging Perspective May 20, 2000
By rob
Format: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.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Appreciate
James Cone is the father of Black Liberation Theology and I appreciate his work. His writings are foundational in this subject. I am looking forward to reading most of his works.
Published 4 months ago by Hedy
5.0 out of 5 stars God of the Oppressed by James Cone
I am studying for a Master of Divinity degree and have read some of James Cone's work before. I really found this book to be not only informative, but as a black female in... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Linda Robinson
5.0 out of 5 stars A MORE "EXISTENTIAL AND SOCIAL" PRESENTATION OF "BLACK THEOLOGY"
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 Black Theology... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Steven H. Propp
4.0 out of 5 stars Extras can be great too
This book was an extra for my class and although I was skeptical about purchasing it because I had purchased so many, I was glad I bought it once it arrived! Read more
Published 18 months ago by Avid Reader
5.0 out of 5 stars a "must read"
This is a transformational work for all who want to deepen their faith, broaden their understanding of liberation theology, particularly black liberation theology, and make more... Read more
Published on November 17, 2010 by Loree G
4.0 out of 5 stars My thoughts on God of the Oppressed
The author, James Cone, explains what Black Liberation Theology is and how this applies to the African-American church tradition. Read more
Published on March 29, 2010 by T. Gunter
4.0 out of 5 stars Very Scholarly review
I have just finished rerading Dr Cone's "God of the Oppresseed" It is a very good book because he parallels the Exodus from Egypt to Israel, the land of milk and honey; with the... Read more
Published on November 29, 2006 by Darrell W. Pone
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, but...
Cone has a lot of great perspectives to offer in this book, which some may find offensive (as is Cone's tendency) but should also offer new ways of thinking about such important... Read more
Published on March 30, 2004 by Sarah
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