Risks of Faith: The Emergence of a Black Theology of Liberation, 1968-1998
by James H. Cone

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Book Reviews of Risks of Faith: The Emergence of a Black Theology of Liberation, 1968-1998

Book Review: A powerful message
Summary: 5 Stars

This is no mere book of essays or collected works. In it, Cone draws upon his large body of work, but also his direct experiences. He recounted the early experience with his doctoral advisor, fighting in class over the aspects of racism in the very structure of theology, a theology largely constructed by white male academics that never even considered the issue of race and what a difference context would make. He recounts his experiences later, now the teacher with students, continuing the cause over and against theologies that come into vogue (one example related at the end of the text is Cone's suspicion with ecological ideas in theology, as they distract from key issues of humanity's inability to relate even to itself in crucial ways).

Cone divides the book into three primary sections -- Black Theology and Black Power; Martin and Malcolm; and Going Forward. The first of these takes place in the context and aftermath of the 1960s, the Civil Rights Movement in the streets of America and the slow awakening on the part of academia and church hierarchies that race matters, not just to preserve the peace, not just to right an ancient wrong, but because the fundamental equality and justice due to all persons demanded it.

In the 1980s, Cone began the task of evaluating the historical and lasting impact of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X, two pivotal figures, not just theologically, but politically and socially as well, whose impact both on the Black community and the wider global community will continue to be felt for generations. Cone examines both the reinterpretations and the canonisations that both King and Malcolm X have undergone; these range from the sentimental to the bizarre (Cone points out the number of high-profile African-American leaders who seem to believe that Malcolm X is a black-Republican icon!). Ultimately, King's influence in the Christian community is so great that he is second to none in the American theological enterprise, with the crucial and important difference vis-a-vis most other theologians who would be ranked as 'the best' in that King was a theologian of action, a do-er as opposed to a detached thinker. Malcolm X's influence, despite his outsider status with regard to Christianity, remains strong due to the context, the emphasis, and the moral content of his message.

In the final section, Cone looks toward the future. Critical issues remaining include the role of gender in Black society (indeed, as it does in general society) -- Cone retells the history of slavery in brief, saying there was no gender distinction in the brutality of slavery, and that the time for greater understanding between black men and women is at hand. Recapturing a sense of the importance of religion and theology among the current generation of Black students in college is also key, as many regard the church and Christian culture of their parents and grandparents part of the old baggage to be shed. Cone also shows the amount of work to be done -- that the just society of King's vision is no closer to reality now than it was a generation ago, and that our general sense of ease at permitting this keeps him as angry as when he first started on the road to a full expression of Black theology.

Much of this work derives from Cone's writings, but again, this is not a simple collection of essays or selected works. Cone reflects critically on the development of his thought, what has changed and what has remained the same. This is an excellent introduction to Cone, a theologian whose voice continues to be needed.

Nonfiction Books

• Religion & Spirituality