Moore Liberation Theology

James H. Cone

James H. Cone

31 thoughts on “James H. Cone”

  1. Fighting for Freedom even when all odds are against you is what Black people of America experience no matter their location, no matter their status, no matter looks. They are immediately targeted in the land of the free because history has branded them to be under authority, of dominant whites. We can say that that is not how it is today, and maybe to some degree, we are right. But the problem lies deeper, and we must look to Jesus to see that he didn’t discriminate, he was discriminated against.

  2. This video was very powerful to listen to. Cone puts a very interesting perspective on racism and religion. I think that it was very moving when he said “how can one trust any religion that denies the humanity of some people by defining their color as evil.” Throughout this entire video, Cone used many religious and philosophical examples/explanations to put racism into other perspectives and really get his point across. This is very powerful because it shows us that if the God we put all our faith into does not discriminate on the basis of skin color, then we must not.

  3. Cone was able to perfectly articulate the feeling of betrayal that often comes with the religious structure in the United States. As he puts it, “How can one trust a theology that ignores slavery, lynching, or worse defends it as Gods will.” I fully agree with Cones words. How can people defend a religious structure or practice, a theology, based solely on hatred? Although I cannot personally relate to the struggles that Cone, as a black man, speaks on, he does an amazing job of explaining said struggles in a way that allows for understanding. I believe this speech is incredibly powerful, and should be watched by any Christians who wish to explore a faith through a different approach.

  4. This was a very engaging and interesting video with a powerful message. I liked how he opened his lecture with something very shocking, which was a series of terrible events that symbols the history of this problem and puts into perspective the true threat of this problem in America even today. I think that it is really important to remember and talk about history, even if it is ugly, in order to be progressive and proactive with this movement. Cone’s message on black liberation theology was very interesting and provokes many questions that need to be considered.

  5. James H. Cone is not only a very influential speaker to listen to, but an influential figure in theology. In his lecture from the Yale Divinity School, he talks about his contributions to both theology and social justice. He held very foundational ideas of Black Liberation Theology that he describes, which set the stage for combining Christianity and African Americans. He talks about the struggles of African Americans and how the Gospel traditionally overlooks the experience Black people face in America. The Civil Rights Movement was a very pivotal time in America, and Cone placing the experiences of oppressed African Americans at the center of Christian teachings made a big difference. His idea of how God is fundamentally concerned with the liberation of the oppressed is not something I have ever thought about or discussed in my time at church, but it is a very eye-opening and valuable lesson that deserves to be heard. Cone linked their suffering to that of the crucifixion of Jesus, a powerful narrative of God’s support for those who are marginalized. Cone as a whole pushes nouveau ideas of challenger theological interpretations that disregarded racial justice, and has been transformative to the faith and African Americans who practice.

  6. Dr. Cone puts in prespective of how race and religion intermingle. The shocking events that he opens with helps put these two topics in perspective and shows how it is still a problem in many places to this day. He asks the question of how can one trust theology when it denies the humanity of some people. This is a very moving and eye opening statement. From there, he goes on to say that God wants to help free the oppressed. Cone wants the people to see that God is not looking at the color of our skin, but seeing us for who we are.

  7. James H. Cone is a powerful speaker. It was incredible how he knew that he should have the right to say the things that he wanted to say and actually did say them. I appreciate his bravery in believing the things he believed in publicly.

  8. Cone brings up many interesting points, but most compelling of all is his logos argument that points out the hypocrisy of many theologies that, in truth, have effectively been based on hate. If a theology is not concerned with freeing those who are being oppressed, as God is, then it really has no standing at all. In this case, it is African Americans who are being oppressed, and God is concerned with stopping this oppression, as should we all be.

  9. I found Dr. Cone’s insights to be deeply impactful, especially his emphasis on the intersection of race and faith. The way he challenges us to reconsider the narratives we accept within religious contexts is powerful. His point about how true theology should reflect God’s concern for the oppressed resonates profoundly. It’s crucial for us to acknowledge that the struggles faced by Black Americans are not just historical but ongoing. By connecting the experiences of marginalized communities to the core of Christian teachings, Cone urges us to reevaluate our understanding of faith and justice. This message is not only enlightening but also a call to action for all believers to stand against oppression.

  10. This movie conveyed a powerful message and was highly captivating and engaging. I found it particularly fascinating how he opened his presentation with a shocking montage of tragic events that illustrate the historical roots of the problem and emphasize the ongoing danger it presents to the United States. Hearing him say that some theologies have been based on hate was fascinating. Overall he sounded very enlightening to the audience.

    1. Rushab, excellent remarks, you grasp the urgency and the seriousness of Cone’s work. However, he makes everyone reevaluate what they think they know about religion and Christianity and the cross of Christ. He is trying move people towards that which is truth and what legitimate Chrisitan theology is composed of, and certaintly not hate, good work.

  11. Dr. Cone was very influential in bringing race into religion. Cone helped us take a step back and recheck our moral and spiritual codes. He was very good at getting points across, and made many people want to take action.

  12. Dr. Cone emphasizes his connection to both religion and faith in his speech. He defines the Black Power movement in relation to Christianity and his faith. He is explaining the black power movement and the ways he sees God/Christianity through it. The struggles of black people are ongoing and he turns to Christianity to fight the problems that are still being faced. God is concerned with stopping oppression; therefore, everyone else should be concerned with stopping oppression; God’s will should be done.

    1. Easton, excellent remarks, you grasp what Cone is asserting in relation to the black power movement in overcoming religious hypocrisy and oppression wherever it might be in that it takes an active voice in Christ Jesus to bring people together and bring about social change, good work.

  13. I really enjoyed listening to Dr. Cone; he is a great speaker who does a wonderful job demonstrating how religion and race crossover and relate to each other. He speaks about people of faith who can be considered hypocrites if they do not practice showing kindness and love to all kinds like God would do. He discusses the oppression of the African American people and how, despite people practicing religion, they were treated so poorly time and time again. Overall, I think Dr. Cone’s speech was incredibly impactful, and I really enjoyed listening to him speak on this topic.

  14. I find the focus on God’s love having no boundaries very impactful. Dr. Cone explores the intersection of race and religion, using powerful examples to highlight ongoing challenges. He poses a critical question: how can we trust a theology that disregards the humanity of some individuals? This thought-provoking question emphasizes that God seeks to liberate the oppressed, reminding us that His love transcends skin color, seeing us for who we truly are.

  15. I found it interesting to listen to Cone’s ideas and hear his experiences and thoughts about the topics of race and religion and their connection to one another. One may not often immediately pair the two ideas together, however Cone describes their interconnected relationship. His main point was asking why any individual would follow a religion that discriminates and does not stand up for minority groups who are being treated with hatred. This is a unique point that I previously had not thought of however is extremely true. He highlights the endless love of God’s nature that is for ALL people in his discussion and I was impacted by this statement in a positive way when listening.

  16. Dr. Cone conveyed a powerful message in his speech. He spoke on the origins of BLT and why he decided to try to spread his message. Gad values justice and therefore he will liberate all oppressed people. Throughout history, it is evident the black population has been oppressed and suffered for over 400 years. Listening to his speech has allowed me to gain a new perspective on Christianity.

  17. I found Dr. Cone’s words to be very powerful as both a religious as well as racial impact. His message is a very important aspect of life that many people would benefit from listening to and learning from. He associates God with the importance of spreading kindness to those around you and to respect those around you, whether they look like you or not. There should not be mistreatment between races, especially within religious groups because that would defeat an important goal of God’s message.

  18. This interview discusses the book the Cross and the Lynching Tree which is a book about the lynching of African Americans. This book shares a large connection both historically and theologically. It discusses the suffering of Jesus shows insight to the horrific lynching of African Americans in America. One of the main points is the symbol of the cross itself which stands for liberation. The cross is symbolic of freedom and shows African Americans that they have a sign of resilience against the evil of oppression.

  19. James H. Cone was an advocate for black liberation theology and hoped to change fellow African American’s perspectives on the “Christianity” that was used to enslave them and perform injustices against them. Instead, Cone hoped to introduce a new type of Christianity, one that advocates for African Americans and believes in the actual canon of the Bible. He does a terrific job at acknowledging the wrongdoings done to African Americans in the name of Christianity while also introducing philosophy that goes against this rash behavior.

  20. Dr. Cone was a remarkable advocate that repainted Christianity as his core faith and religion, while separating his faith from the wrongdoing unto African Americans that most used the religion to justify. White theological blindness that ignored black religious experience was extremely important, in my opinion, to address as so many people resonate with such a religion but were overcome by the oppressors that claimed the same faith while seeking to remain white supremacists. Analyzing the theological discrepancies and nuances rooted from the hate and crime was so important in affirming the black experience with Christianity, and deviating from the “white thinking” that he was surrounded with for most of his life led him to write theology centered around liberation and equality.

  21. Cone is a very powerful speaker who used many different examples and analogies to get his message across. This video had a very powerful message and reminds us all to look into our history, no matter how ugly, to remember the mistakes of our past so we don’t repeat them in the future.

  22. Truly a moving speech, Dr. Come does a terrific job of looking down on racism from a 1000 foot view. He speaks on why one would follow a religion that differentiates based on the color of a person’s skin, while the Messiah of that religion says come on come all, no matter what race you are. Jesus looked at the human race as a whole, and gives everyone no different amounts of his love. Dr. Come looks at this and wonders why we do not do the same. Though the world today is much different in regards to racism and the such, there are still implicit ideas that Christ does not agree with, which we must try and fight against.

  23. Dr. Cone explores the important interlink between race and religion in this speech, an avenue I have never thought of or been taught about. It made me realize how dire the need is for Christian teachings to focus in on the African American experience. The Bible shows us again and again how God shows his love for the oppressed, yet Christian spaces to not delve into this often.

  24. Cone eloquently captures the profound sense of betrayal that many feel toward religious institutions in the United States, particularly when those institutions are intertwined with systemic oppression. He raises a critical question: “How can one trust a theology that ignores slavery, lynching, or, worse, defends it as God’s will?” This sentiment resonates deeply with me. How can any religious practice or belief system be upheld if it is rooted in hatred and oppression? While I may not personally share the same experiences Cone describes as a Black man, his ability to articulate these struggles provides a window into the historical and ongoing pain endured by marginalized communities.

  25. Dr. Cone’s message is very thought provoking, especially in the way that he connects race and religion. His emphasis on God’s boundless love and concern for the oppressed is a powerful reminder connected to Christianity. Cone’s ability to tie the Black Power movement to Christian faith shows how deeply intertwined social justice and spirituality can be.

  26. In “The Cross and The Lynching Tree” Cone makes a symbolic connection between a cross and the lynching tree. In a time of such strong racial injustice and oppression, Cone points out how white Christians responded to the horrific events, such as lynching, with ignorance. He points out the common stance of white moderate who offered a slow process of racial reform. Cone’s work really makes a point of how the white Christians of this time period are largely at fault for the racial oppression that so many people faced in this time period.

  27. James H. Cone is a highly influential figure in theology and social justice, particularly known for his contributions to Black Liberation Theology. In his Yale Divinity School lecture, he emphasizes the importance of integrating the experiences of African Americans with Christian teachings, highlighting how traditional Gospel interpretations often overlook their struggles. Cone argues that the Civil Rights Movement was a crucial period for placing the experiences of oppressed Black individuals at the forefront of Christian thought. He presents the idea that God is fundamentally concerned with the liberation of the oppressed, a perspective that many may not encounter in typical church discussions. By linking the suffering of African Americans to the crucifixion of Jesus, Cone offers a powerful narrative that underscores God’s support for marginalized communities. His work challenges conventional theological interpretations and has had a transformative impact on both faith and the African American experience.

    1. Sarah, exceptional post, you fully grasp Cone and the concepts of Liberation Theology and the true cross of Christ in its meaning in relation to the oppressed and disinherited people of this world, remember the victory was won in Christ’s resurrection, thereby giving the disinherited hope, faith and empowerment through the Holy Spirit to overcome as Christ himself overcame, good work.

  28. James H. Cone was a pivotal figure in Black Liberation Theology, merging faith with social justice. His work challenged traditional religious views and highlighted the importance of addressing systemic racism through a theological lens. Cone’s influence reshaped conversations about race and faith, inspiring countless activists and theologians to advocate for justice and equality. His legacy continues to help those fighting for the rights.

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