The Cross and the Lynching Tree

by James H. Cone
The Cross and the Lynching Tree cover
Good Books rating 4.25
Religion and Theology
Technical
  • ID: 2354
  • Added: 2025-10-13
  • Updated: 2025-10-15
  • ISBN: 9781608330010
  • Publisher: Orbis Books
  • Published: 2011-01-01
  • Reviews: 4

In 'The Cross and the Lynching Tree,' theologian James H. Cone delves into the deep significance of two potent symbols—the cross and the lynching tree—in the African American experience. These symbols, representing both suffering and hope, are examined through the lens of history, theology, and cultural studies, highlighting their role in shaping the faith and resilience of black communities. Cone draws on the spirituals, the blues, and the testimonies of figures like Emmet Till and Martin Luther King, Jr., to illustrate how these symbols have been a source of strength and meaning in the face of injustice and death. This work spans social history, theology, and cultural studies, invoking the spirits of Billie Holliday, Langston Hughes, Fannie Lou Hamer, and Ida B. Wells, among others. Cone's exploration is a profound meditation on how life can be made meaningful despite the worst of human atrocities, offering a powerful challenge to Christian theology and a testament to the enduring spirit of those who suffered and resisted.

Reviews
AllKirk · 2021-07-05
enlightening 4.00

The book begins with a disturbing survey of lynching history, which sets the stage for a theological exploration of the cross and its parallels to the lynching tree. The reviewer finds the book both unsettling and enlightening.

The reviewer appreciates the book's comprehensive survey of lynching history, which is both very unsettling and necessary to understand the context of the theological arguments. The book's exploration of the cross and the lynching tree is seen as a powerful and necessary conversation starter. The reviewer notes that the book is not an easy read but is essential for understanding the depth of racial injustice and its spiritual implications.

Quick quotes

    The book begins with a helpful (albeit very unsettling) survey of the history of the lynching of blacks in post-Civil War America.

    For the most part, Cone’s book is a powerful and necessary conversation starter.

    The book is not an easy read but is essential for understanding the depth of racial injustice and its spiritual implications.

For the Someday Book · 2015-07-17
thought-provoking 4.00

The book is seen as a theological analysis and comparison of the cross and the lynching tree, offering a unique perspective on the intersection of faith and racial injustice.

The reviewer notes that 'The Cross and the Lynching Tree' is exactly what its title implies: a theological analysis and comparison of the cross and the lynching tree. The book is commended for its unique perspective on the intersection of faith and racial injustice, providing a deep and thought-provoking exploration of these symbols. The reviewer appreciates the way Cone connects the historical and spiritual dimensions of these symbols, making it a significant contribution to the discussion on race and religion. The book is seen as a must-read for those interested in understanding the deeper implications of these powerful symbols.

Quick quotes

    The Cross and the Lynching Tree is exactly what its title implies: a theological analysis and comparison of the cross and the lynching tree.

    Cone connects the historical and spiritual dimensions of these symbols in a profound way.

    The book is a significant contribution to the discussion on race and religion.

The Jesus Question · 2014-04-14
harrowing 4.50

The book is described as a harrowing look at America's national sin, blending history and theology in a powerful way. It challenges readers to confront the brutal realities of lynching and its connection to the cross.

This review highlights how the book serves as both a history lesson and a sermon, delving into the deep and often ignored connections between the cross and the lynching tree. The reviewer emphasizes the book's ability to evoke a sense of urgency and moral responsibility, making it a profound and unsettling read. The theological insights are particularly noted for their depth and relevance, offering a unique perspective on the suffering of African Americans and its spiritual significance.

Quick quotes

    The book is both history lesson and sermon—a harrowing look at America's national sin.

    It is a powerful and unsettling read that challenges readers to confront the brutal realities of lynching and its connection to the cross.

    The theological insights are profound and offer a unique perspective on the suffering of African Americans and its spiritual significance.

Christian Century · 2012-02-08
compelling 4.50

The book is praised for its theological meditation on the oppression experienced by African Americans, offering a critical perspective on the silence of Christian communities. The reviewer finds it a compelling and necessary read.

This review highlights the book's incisive assessment of lynching in America and its critique of the silence of Christian communities. The reviewer appreciates the book's ability to shed light on a often overlooked dimension of racial oppression. The theological depth and historical context provided are seen as significant contributions to the ongoing conversation about race and faith. The book is described as a compelling and necessary read that challenges readers to think deeply about the intersections of race, religion, and history.

Quick quotes

    The Cross and the Lynching Tree is a theological meditation on a dimension of the lethal oppression experienced by African Americans.

    The book offers a critical perspective on the silence of Christian communities in the face of racial injustice.

    It is a compelling and necessary read that challenges readers to think deeply about the intersections of race, religion, and history.

Appears in Lists