The Cross and the Lynching Tree – James H. Cone

In The Cross and the Lynching Tree, renowned theologian James H. Cone explores the poignant and powerful connection between two deeply symbolic markers of violence and hope in Black American history: the cross of Christ and the lynching tree. Drawing from historical records of lynching, theological reflection, and the Black spiritual tradition, Cone argues that the lynching tree can serve as a modern manifestation of the cross—and that the suffering of Black Americans is intimately tied to the story of Christ’s suffering. This work challenges churches, scholars, and society to confront the violent legacy of white supremacy, to listen to Black voices, and to imagine a Christianity rooted in liberation, solidarity, and truth.