WASHINGTON, D. C –\u00a0 United Methodist bishops are honoring and remembering the legacy of the Rev. Dr. James Cone, the Bill and Judith Moyers Distinguished Professor of Systematic Theology at Union Theological Seminary, who died on April 28.<\/p>\n
In a letter to Union Theological Seminary President Serene Jones, the Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church thanked the Rev.\u00a0 Dr. Cone for his work that introduced an integrated theological perspective born in the crucible of struggle and oppression within the United States of America and read the gospel as a mandate to understand Christ as liberator.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are those who enter a field of study and contribute to it, enhance what has already been offered, or expand a particular aspect of the work. And, then there are those who enter a discipline and thoroughly forge an entirely new pedagogical stream. That is the gift and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Cone,\u201d said the letter signed by Bishop Bruce R. Ough, president of the Council of Bishops.<\/p>\n
\u201cThrough that integration, the Rev. Dr. Cone introduced us to Black Theology; a theology that continues to provide new lenses to the mission and ministry of the church by re-examining our understanding of Christology and biblical interpretation that challenges white privilege.\u201d<\/p>\n
The bishops offered condolences from the entire United Methodist Church to the Cone family, the African Methodist Episcopal Church and to his colleagues and staff at Union Theological Seminary. \u201cWe offer our prayers of comfort and we trust that Jesus is welcoming the Rev. Dr. Cone with open arms and telling him, \u2018Well done, good and faithful servant.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
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