The Cross and the Lynching Tree

De: James H. Cone

Narrado por: Leon Nixon

The cross and the lynching tree are the two most emotionally charged symbols in the history of the African American community. In this powerful work, theologian James H. Cone explores these symbols and their interconnection in the history and souls of black folk.

©2011 James H. Cone (P)2020 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Powerful

I wish my own faith were so strong and ran as deep. I stand condemned!

Excellent Read for Anyone Interested in African American History

Outstanding!!
A Great Comparison to Jesus Christ hanging from the Cross and African Americans hanging from Willow Tree.

The Cross and Lynching Tree life a life

This is life-giving an essential read for all Black Christians. This book gives us an association with the cross.

A must read for all Christians

Profoundly moving. Gave me as a white South African a profound insight into the deep suffering of our Black Sisters & Brothers.

Superb

A superb correlation of the suffering, beating and lynching Black people endured to the beating suffering and killing of Christ. An interesting analysis of the faith Black people have in Christ in the face of all they have suffered by the hands of whites in the name of Christianity.

This is the most memorable book of my adult life!

I couldn't put this audio down! With a family of 6, I had to sneak away to listen to it. It had me on the cusp of my seat! Great writing and narration!

My ignorance revealed, literally what I have chosen to ignore

Too long has history been white washed and the white church (myself included) failed to make justice available to all. We now have another cross to bear the criminal Justice system. The final chapter of this book points to our options of reparation within that system. Over 50% of those incarcerated are black! The school to prison pipeline is overflowing! We desperately need “Christians” to shoulder up that cross! It is not possible for me to go backwards yet I can tell the truth of the past to my children and grandchildren as I seek to make justice for all a priority.

A Necessary Theological Work

Rarely have I read a book that made me pause with tears. The Cross and the Lynching Tree is a powerful reminder of our tragic American Christian history. May we all see the cross and the lynching tree and never forget either.

Great work to listen to on July 4th 2020

So sad that I grew up as a Christian and never once in all the church messages I heard did I hear about such an amazing connection about the cross of Jesus’ suffering and the suffering of the lynched black man in America. Truly even I’ve been duped into thinking the only sources for good theology are white men! Wow. I was wrong! It’s time we start learning more from our non-white brothers and sisters about Jesus if we are ever going to see the soul of America revived.

really smacks you in the face

The theme of the book is very challenging to a white Christian like myself. I have often struggled to reconcile my own adherence to Christianity in the face of daily revelations of the church's complicity in, and often in support of, barbarism. I cannot count the times I've had Christ's words ring in my head, "These people worship with their lips, but their heart is far from me"
Equally, I have struggled with how the slaves, and later, the Jim Crow African Americans managed to maintain their faith to a religion that openly supported white supremacists, to a God that allowed white supremacy to continue.
The author addresses both of these questions admirably.
I also feel somewhat justified in my own belief that the gospel is only an opiate administered to the suffering to lessen their pain when it is preached without concrete works to end their suffering.
The narration was great as well.