Culmination of meaning

books:


	• Black Theology and Black Power James H. Cone Orbis Books, 1997 - 165 pages view larger image
	for more information click here

Culmination of meaning

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.

for more information click here

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 if a particular White person wants to be allied with the Black power movement. Dr. Cone priority is not the spread of Christianity but to change the mindset of white and black individuals. This is the purpose of democratic debate. His argument is since society is racist and whites control most churches, therefore all philosophy and theology that is taught through the years most also be racist. He does not believe the Bible is inerrant or the ultimate arbitrator of Truth. He uses the Bible to constuct an argument at cetain points in the book but this hardly his main source for his thought. He freely admits that the Nation of Islam and its teachings are totally in line with his Black Power philosphy. The book's purpose is to argue for the Black Church in the United States to have a philosophy of Black inpowerment.

The author calls Blacks who do not subscribe to his philosophy as white inside. Whites who agree with him as black inside. The author has some valid points about racism in society and the history in the Church. How the church reflects the world instead of an agent or a beakon to a better way of thought and action. I just disagree with his philosophy, his "theology" and conclusions how people should respond to these facts.

for more information click here

reviews: page 1, 2