The Political Economy of Liberation ─ Thomas Sowell and James Cone on the Black Experience

Bradley (theology and ethics, Kings College) analyzes and evaluates black liberation theology as advocated by James Cone, from the perspective of Thomas Sowell's political theology. Sowell, a capitalist economist and social thinker, shares with Cone a concern for social, and specifically racial, justice. Cone and Sowell differ though in their understanding of the human personality, the function and limits of human knowledge in spiritual and social liberation, the meaning of Christ's fidelity to the oppressed, and the meaning of evil and sin for social justice. At stake, between Sowell and Cone respectively, is a classical or modern understanding of vision of human nature and its implications for social justice. To this end, Bradley critically examines Cone's Marxist humanism, but finds it incompatible with the classical teachings of Christianity. Bradley concludes "both Sowell and Christian social teaching affirm the legitimate role of markets to allow individuals to freely and efficiently meet their needs and contribute to the common good in ways that do not need direct over-sight by politicians or bureaucratic government agencies." Annotation Ac2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Anthony B. Bradley is Associate Professor of Theology and Ethics at The King’s College in New York City and serves as a Research Fellow at the Acton Institute. He holds a B.S. from Clemson University, an M.Div. from Covenant Theological Seminary, and a PhD from Westminster Theological Seminary. He is in the process of completing an MA in ethics and society from Fordham University. Dr. Bradley lectures at colleges, universities, business organizations, conferences, and churches throughout the United States and abroad. He is the author of Liberating Black Theology: The Bible and the Black Experience in America, Black and Tired: Essays on Race, Politics, Culture, and International Development, and editor of Keep Your Head Up: America’s New Black Christian Leaders, Social Consciousness, and the Cosby Conversation. His writings on religious and cultural issues have been published in a variety of outlets, including the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Detroit News, and World Magazine. Dr. Bradley is called upon by members of the broadcast media for comment on current issues and has appeared on C-SPAN, NPR, CNN/Headline News, Fox News, and Court TV Radio, among others.