By James Cone. First published in 1975, this publication remains a landmark in the development of Black Theology―the first effort to present a systematic theology drawing fully on the resources of African-American religion and culture. Responding to the criticism that his previous books drew too heavily on Euro-American definitions of theology, the author went back to his experience of the Black church in Bearden, Arkansas, the tradition of the Spirituals and Black folklore, and the Black history of struggle and survival, to construct a new approach to the gospel. In reflections on God, Jesus, suffering, and liberation, relates the gospel message to the experience of the Black community. But a wider theme is the role that social and historical context plays in framing the questions we address to God, as well as the mode of the answers provided. Includes a foreword by Anthony Reddie, reflecting on the historical and global significance of this work and its message today. Read more.