Black Theology: A Documentary History: 1966-1979

BLACK THEOLOGY: A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY

Volume I: 1966-1979

James H. Cone and Gayraud S. Wilmore, editors

"Black theology comes of age in this work." —C. Eric Lincoln

First published in 1979, this is the classic sourcebook for the emergence of Black theology in the United States. Born out of the Civil Rights Movement and the emerging demand for Black Power, Black theology relates the Gospel to the African-American experience of oppression and the struggle for liberation.

This volume, based on the original, has been substantially streamlined.

New introductions, many additional essays and documents, and a revised bibliography have been added. As the editors write, "We believe that the content of these two volumes will help pastors and lay people, students and teachers, to catch the spirit of the [Black theology] movement and, if God so wills, take it into the twenty-first century with courage and hope."

Part I: Black Power and Black Theology 

Part II: Foundational Voices Before 1980

Part III: Black Theology and the Bible Part IV: Black Theology and the Black Church Part V: Black Theology and Black Women

Part VI: Black Theology and Third World Theologies

James H. Cone (1938-2018) was the Bill and Judith Moyers Distinguished Professor of Systematic Theology at Union Theological Seminary, NYC. His books include A Black Theology of Liberation, Martin & Malcolm & America, The Spirituals and the Blues, God of the Oppressed, For My People, My Soul Looks Back, The Cross and the Lynching Tree (Winner of the Grawemeyer Award in Religion), and Said I Wasn't Gonna Tell Nobody: The Making of a Black Theologian.

Gayraud S. Wilmore (1921-2020) was dean of the MDiv Program and professor of Afro-American Studies, New York Theological Seminary, and taught at United Theological Seminary, Dayton, OH, as well as the interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta, GA. His books include the classic Black Religion and Black Radicalism.

Cover by McDavid Henderson

ISBN 978-0-88344-853-3