Search
Close this search box.
DONATE
Back to all Events

Join Cody Cook in reading The Cross and the Lynching Tree, by James H. Cone.

Book Description

The cross and the lynching tree are the two most emotionally charged symbols in the history of the African American community. In this powerful new work, theologian James H. Cone explores these symbols and their interconnection in the history and souls of black folk. Both the cross and the lynching tree represent the worst in human beings and at the same time a thirst for life that refuses to let the worst determine our final meaning. While the lynching tree symbolized white power and black death, the cross symbolizes divine power and black life God overcoming the power of sin and death. For African Americans, the image of Jesus, hung on a tree to die, powerfully grounded their faith that God was with them, even in the suffering of the lynching era.

  • Winner of the Grawemeyer Award in Religion
  • “One of the Top 11 Religion Books of the Year,” The Huffington Post
  • First Place Winner in Theology, Catholic Press Association
  • Gold Medal Winner, Independent Book Publishers Book Awards

166 pages

Book Club Details

  • $25 to join (is actually a donation to LCI)
  • Cost of the book itself (Amazon link)
  • 5 one-hour discussion sessions (see dates below)

Discussion Session Dates

All session times 6-7pm Eastern Time

  • January 30
  • February 6
  • February 13
  • February 21
  • February 27

Registration opens January 1, 2025

What others have said about the book club

David MarinoTexas
Read More
I have found the book clubs to be of great value in expanding my ability to share the message of liberty with my fellow Christians and the message of Christ with my fellow Libertarians. The different perspectives, opinions and knowledge that is brought to the weekly meetings, are truly enlightening.
John OdermattPennsylvania
Read More
I've participated in all three LCI book clubs reading The Prophetic Imagination by Walter Brueggemann, Jesus is Lord, Caesar is Not by various authors, and An Ethic for Christians & other Aliens in a Strange Land by William Stringfellow. These are three books that I very likely would not have read on my own and if I did, I would have struggled to keep myself accountable to finish each. While I liked and disliked parts of each book, the best part of the book club was the conversations during our weekly Zoom calls. It was extremely helpful to be able to bounce difficult sections or interesting critiques off of fellow book club attendees and to hear the same in return. Overall, I can confidently say that the books clubs have deepened by libertarian philosophy and strengthen my faith.
JasonOhio
Read More
Over the past year and a half I have moved from circumspectly examining Libertarian ideas to embracing a great deal of Libertarian philosophy. Because my faith is more central to my life than my relationship with politics and the state I have spent a great deal of time reflecting and synthesizing how these new ideas intersect with my Christian worldview and the Biblical framework I have long utilized for living out my faith in the world. LCI Book Club has provided a critical venue for verbalizing and testing my understanding of Libertarian and Christian ideas. More importantly, it has provided access to the valuable insights of fellow travelers sharing their own unique wisdom along this non-traditional path. Thanks LCI for sponsoring this excellent and important opportunity!

LCI Book Club Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to attend every meeting to participate?

In order to ensure the best possible discussion for every meeting, we encourage every participant to make as many of the meetings as possible. 

However, you will not be denied access if you are unable to attend all meetings. 

Will the discussions be recorded?

Yes. We have learned in previous months that recording the discussions did not impede the quality of the meeting, and allows those who were unable to attend to participate asynchronously. 

How will the reading assignments be divided?

Each book is unique and does not match up equally based on chapter to the week we discuss. Reading assignments will be sent out to the group at least a week in advance of the first meeting. 

What does the participant fee cover?

Your participant fee covers your access to the book club for the month you are participating in. You will be responsible for acquiring a copy of the reading material ahead of time. 

Your fee actually is considered by the IRS a tax-deductible donation to the Libertarian Christian Institute. 

Do you offer any discounts for joining multiple clubs?

We do not currently have a mechanism for offering discounts, since the fees are considered tax-deductible donations to LCI. 

Join our Mailing list!

Sign up and receive updates any day we publish a new article or podcast episode!

Join Our Mailing List

Name(Required)
Email(Required)
Consent(Required)