James Hal Cone

Date of Birth: August 5, 1938

Zodiac Sign: Leo

Date of Death: April 28, 2018

Biography

James Hal Cone was an influential American theologian known for his pioneering work in Black Liberation Theology. Born in Fordyce, Arkansas, Cone grew up in a context of racial segregation and inequality, which profoundly influenced his theological perspective. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Arkansas, and his Master of Divinity from Garrett–Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. Cone went on to receive his Ph.D. from Northwestern University in 1965. Cone’s seminal work, “Black Theology and Black Power,” published in 1969, established him as a leading voice in advocating for a theology that speaks to the struggles and hopes of African Americans. He argued that the Christian Gospel is fundamentally about liberation and that theology must be rooted in the experiences and culture of oppressed people. Cone served as a professor at several institutions, most notably Union Theological Seminary in New York City, where he taught for nearly 50 years until his death in 2018.

5 Interesting Facts about James Hal Cone

1. James H. Cone is often referred to as the “father of Black Liberation Theology.”

2. His 1970 book “A Black Theology of Liberation” is considered a foundational text in the field.

3. Cone was deeply influenced by the Civil Rights Movement and the Black Power Movement.

4. He received numerous awards and honors, including the American Black Achievement Award in theology.

5. Cone was a prolific writer, authoring over a dozen books and numerous articles throughout his career.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from James Hal Cone

1. “To be Christian is to be one of those whom God has chosen. God has chosen black people!”

2. “Theology is not an intellectual exercise; it is a political practice.”

3. “If God is not for us and against white racists, then he is a murderer, and we had better kill him.”

4. “In the struggle for justice, the oppressed must take the lead.”

5. “The Gospel of Jesus is not a rational concept to be explained in a theory of salvation, but a story about God’s presence in Jesus’ solidarity with the oppressed which led to his death on the cross.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

James H. Cone’s highest net worth achieved is not publicly documented, but his influence and contributions to theology and civil rights are invaluable.