God of the Oppressed

by James H. Cone

They could transcend death because they knew about Jesus’ past, had encountered his presence, and thus were assured of his future coming. Jesus’ future coming was the foundation of their faith, enabling them to express this truth in song: “Where shall I be when the first trumpet soun’; soun’ so loud till it woke up de dead?” “One day, one day ’bout twelve o’ clock, O this ol’ earth goin’ to reel an’ rock.” “O My Lord, what a morning, when the stars begin to fall!” “When the sun refuse to shine, when the moon goes down in blood!” “In dat great getting up morning,” “de world will be on fire,” and “you'll see de stars a-fallen’, de forked lighting, de coffins bursting,” and “de righteous marching.” “The dumb will talk, the lame will walk, the blind will see, and the deaf will hear.”