The Cross and the Lynching Tree, by James Cone is a masterful telling of the spiritual symbols important to many African Americans, not only surrounding their faith journey, but in their daily lives as well. Amidst the terror of systematic racism and violence, Cone still seems to find hope for his people vis a vie the lynching tree. In the aforementioned quote, Cone is saying that the cross can represent power for African Americans. That although it represents torcher, pain, and death, it is also represents an element of liberation. As Christ was hung to die on a wooden pilon, his death was not the end. His suffering would shift into something transcendent; resurrection.
This symbol of the cross came to represent empowerment for many black Christians because it said to them, “…ultimately in God’s eschatological future, they would not be defeated by the troubles of this world, no matter how great and painful their suffering.” (2) Similarly, for many blacks in America, even if they were to say they are not practicing Christians, there is still a strong kinship with Jesus. He represents all the struggles and pain that they have ever had to endure. My good friend Leon says that although he is agnostic, Jesus will always be “his guy”. …show more content…
He was lynched, yet, still defeated the powers that be.” Here’s where asking a question(s) of James Cone is difficult. I am a white, woman of privilege. I will never understand his experience in toto. But perhaps I could ask him, how would he suggest those of us in church leadership, approach these tough conversations around
This symbol of the cross came to represent empowerment for many black Christians because it said to them, “…ultimately in God’s eschatological future, they would not be defeated by the troubles of this world, no matter how great and painful their suffering.” (2) Similarly, for many blacks in America, even if they were to say they are not practicing Christians, there is still a strong kinship with Jesus. He represents all the struggles and pain that they have ever had to endure. My good friend Leon says that although he is agnostic, Jesus will always be “his guy”. …show more content…
He was lynched, yet, still defeated the powers that be.” Here’s where asking a question(s) of James Cone is difficult. I am a white, woman of privilege. I will never understand his experience in toto. But perhaps I could ask him, how would he suggest those of us in church leadership, approach these tough conversations around