The Inner Life and Social Responsibility by Howard Thurman
This final volume of Howard Thurman's collected sermon series addresses meditation, introspection, and self-discovery as foundational elements of religious life. Thurman's writings reflect his belief in a pervading divine presence that transcends organized religions and religious institutions, accessible everywhere but most profoundly within each individual.
About Howard Thurman's Vision
Howard Thurman (1899-1981) served as one of the leading religious thinkers of 20th century America and mentored Martin Luther King, Jr., along with other civil rights movement leaders. As a mystic who pioneered influential innovations in liturgy, worship, and spirituality, Thurman's work explored what Vincent Harding described as "a liberating spirituality, a way of exploring and experiencing those crucial life points where personal and societal transformation are creatively joined."
What This Volume Contains
This collection features Thurman's sermon series examining the nature of democracy and American democracy in particular. Topics include the meaning of human property in the Declaration of Independence, loyalty oaths and the execution of the Rosenbergs for treason during the Cold War, and the Black Power movement. These reflections explore the strivings of the disinherited, how democratic ideals enhance individual personhood, and how individuals and citizens can navigate conflicts and contradictions within democratic common ground.
Expert Editorial Work
Peter Eisenstadt, associate editor of The Papers of Howard Washington Thurman and author of Against the Hounds of Hell: A Life of Howard Thurman, brings scholarly expertise to this volume. Walter Earl Fluker, senior editor of The Papers of Howard Washington Thurman and director of the Howard Thurman Papers Project, serves as Professor Emeritus of Ethical Leadership at Boston University and Dean's Professor of Spirituality, Ethics, and Leadership at Candler School of Theology, Atlanta, GA.
Product Details
Published by Orbis Books in October 2023, this paperback edition represents Volume 4 in the Walking with God: The Sermons of Howard Thurman series. The work provides essential reading for those studying Christian spirituality, theology, and the intersection of personal faith with social responsibility.
