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4.5 AVERAGE
4.5 AVERAGE
The Black theologian examines how Jesus spoke for the poor and downtrodden. A reading of the Gospels that I appreciated. Written several decades ago.
A truly eye opening book about how Jesus speaks to and about the disinherited, power, hatred and love.
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
I learned this was a favorite book of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Knowing that, its no surprise this is a fantastic book. Its short, five brief chapters, with the first one setting the tone in diagnosing who Jesus is and who the disinherited are. The next three chapters tackle subjects like fear and deception, with the final chapter being love. We live in a world that still wrestles with racism. There are certainly lots of newer books out there, but this older one is definitely worth the read.
The last half of this year I've determined to read more broadly into theologies. I've read a bit of this previously but didn't sit with the whole book, and I started reading work from brown and black men and women, inside and outside the American story.
Thurman's book is an excellent "introduction" to this work, and in fact I'm starting to think that it has made my list of "books that I think every Christian leader should read, no matter what" (alongside [b:In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership|2520|In the Name of Jesus Reflections on Christian Leadership|Henri J.M. Nouwen|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388181760s/2520.jpg|6500], [b:The Practice of the Presence of God|498641|The Practice of the Presence of God|Brother Lawrence|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347467147s/498641.jpg|2133549], and a few others).
Thurman's thesis is this: The religion of Jesus was the story of God's involvement in the transformative life available to everyone, ESPECIALLY the outsiders and outcasts, those with their backs against the wall. American Christianity has mutated and become the story of comfort for those who have privilege and power. He speaks to the power of fear, deception and hate, "the three hounds of the oppressed", and then to the power of love to overcome. But the power of love is costly and difficult, requires endurance and commitment.
It's often said that Martin Luther King Jr. carried a copy of this book with him on many of his travels. I can certainly see that likelihood.
As much as I resound with Thurman's call to the good news of inclusion and the hard work of love, it horrifies me to read this book, written in 1949, against this year's high-profile violent responses by those with power against those without it, and to see that Thurman's call to commitment is as applicable now as it was 65 years ago.
Thurman's book is an excellent "introduction" to this work, and in fact I'm starting to think that it has made my list of "books that I think every Christian leader should read, no matter what" (alongside [b:In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership|2520|In the Name of Jesus Reflections on Christian Leadership|Henri J.M. Nouwen|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388181760s/2520.jpg|6500], [b:The Practice of the Presence of God|498641|The Practice of the Presence of God|Brother Lawrence|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347467147s/498641.jpg|2133549], and a few others).
Thurman's thesis is this: The religion of Jesus was the story of God's involvement in the transformative life available to everyone, ESPECIALLY the outsiders and outcasts, those with their backs against the wall. American Christianity has mutated and become the story of comfort for those who have privilege and power. He speaks to the power of fear, deception and hate, "the three hounds of the oppressed", and then to the power of love to overcome. But the power of love is costly and difficult, requires endurance and commitment.
It's often said that Martin Luther King Jr. carried a copy of this book with him on many of his travels. I can certainly see that likelihood.
As much as I resound with Thurman's call to the good news of inclusion and the hard work of love, it horrifies me to read this book, written in 1949, against this year's high-profile violent responses by those with power against those without it, and to see that Thurman's call to commitment is as applicable now as it was 65 years ago.
Dr. Thurman was an amazing, insightful man. Must read.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
One of the rare books that I firmly believe everyone on the planet should read, Christian or not. Truly remarkable - convicting, challenging, and ultimately, inspiring.