Reading While Black: African American Biblical Interpretation as an Exercise in Hope

by Esau McCaulley

James Cone is recognized by all as a seminal figure in the creation of Black Liberation theology. No analysis of the Black ecclesial tradition could be complete without some interaction with him. This justifies a brief look at Cone’s interpretative method as seen in his essay, “Biblical Revelation and Social Existence.”28 Cone rightly argues that all theology is socially located. According to Cone, this is a good thing because acknowledging social location affirms the goodness of the creation in which God has placed his people.29 Therefore, God’s choice of enslaved Israel to be his chosen people spoke to his character. Cone says, “If God had chosen as his ‘holy nation’ the Egyptian slave masters instead of the Israelite slaves a completely different kind of God would have been revealed. Thus, Israel’s election cannot be separated from her servitude and liberation.”30