In this classic theological treatise, the acclaimed theologian and religious leader Howard Thurman (1900-1981) demonstrates how the gospel may be r...
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May 07, 2011
Matthew
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Matthew Monk Whether you consider yourself "religious" or not, this book will appeal to you, precisely because this is exactly the theme of Thurman's treatise. By detailing religion as a symptom to the root cause of greater problems, Thurman recontextualizes Jesus, taking Him out of the mandated religions that have been created in His name, and placing Him in the historical context of His day and age. In the first section, "Jesus, and Interpretation", Thurman frames his argum
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Aug 06, 2010
Rachel
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"In his seminal 1949 book, Jesus and the Disinherited, Thurman provided an interpretation of the New Testament gospels that laid the foundation for a nonviolent civil rights movement. Thurman presented the basic goal of Jesus' life as helping the disinherited of the world change from within so they would be empowered to survive in the face of oppression. A love rooted in the "deep river of faith," wrote Thurman, would help oppressed peoples overcome persecution. "It may twist
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Jul 04, 2011
Erika
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Thurman looks at Jesus as a representative of a minority, oppressed people group. He discusses Jesus teachings to the Jews regarding their relationship with their enemies, the Romans, the Samaritans, and the gentiles.
A good look at how years of oppression can result in a culture of fear and hate and destroys the foundational identity of the oppressed. He writes about how hate must be broken down and relationships rebuilt based on mutual respect in order for love to grow.
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A good look at how years of oppression can result in a culture of fear and hate and destroys the foundational identity of the oppressed. He writes about how hate must be broken down and relationships rebuilt based on mutual respect in order for love to grow.
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Dec 15, 2008
Demetri
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This book is awesome! I learned about it from a video in the Freedom Theater at the Museum of the African Diaspora in San Francisco-- there is a cameo appearance in the film by Senator Barack Obama (Note that the film was produced in 2004-- before the election announcement by Obama).
It is said that Dr. MLK, Jr. owned a copy of this book and carried it as a reference wherever he went. Many folks don't know who this great man was, and that's why you should read this amazing work by More...
It is said that Dr. MLK, Jr. owned a copy of this book and carried it as a reference wherever he went. Many folks don't know who this great man was, and that's why you should read this amazing work by More...
Apr 20, 2011
Jeremy
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Legend has it that Martin Luther King, Jr., often carried with him a copy of *Jesus and the Disinherited* by Howard Thurman. I can understand why. It is a concise statement of the meaning of Jesus' message for those who live with their backs against the wall. He explains the workings of fear, deception, and hate in the lives of both the powerful and the powerless and shows how these "hounds of hell" can be defeated through the power of love.
Mar 09, 2010
"Terrence"
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Fascinating and full of profundities. I don't know how an author in the 1940/50s could write as if he's absorbed all the debates that would develop on this subject over the next six decades. Truly an amazing feat. Short and simple, too, written to humans by a deeply mature man. I guess suffering does that. Hugely influential text. I'm going to collect his others.
May 06, 2011
peter
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Thurman's persistent use of male pronouns chafes in the modern ear, but that should in no way be any reason to ignore this book. A pastoral look at the role of Christianity in the lives of the subaltern which preceded Liberation Theology by over two decades, this short volume ought to be required Sunday School reading in every church.
Dec 18, 2008
Jason
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Classic. Framed the Civil Rights Movement. Thurman met Gandhi before India's liberation from the British Empire. Powerful and prophetic. MLK walked with it for years in his backpocket. A must read.
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Sep 13, 2011
Megan
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Filled with hard-hitting quotes that attack the inaction of mainstream Christianity. A must-read for anyone in ministry. Tackles the hard questions of race relations and rich-poor dynamics in our society.
Mar 09, 2008
Drick
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Howard Thurman wrote this book in 1949 and his words are a precursor to ML King's love ethic and James Cone's Theology of Black Liberation. Thurman write this book for the "the disinherited," with the assumption that Jesus was a member of the oppressed and that his message was a survival strategy for the oppressed. As a white male North American I found myself on the outside looking in wondering how, as Thurman points out, Christianity had become the religion of the strong. His words c
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Apr 08, 2008
Regis
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I have always held that before a man can truly move anything, he must first be inwardly moved to an adequate understanding.
i am pursuing an adequate understanding of the Gospel of Christ, so I may preach and live it truly.
"Jesus and the Disinherited" has brought me far closer to my goal. I can stand on the shoulder of this giant and see into the promised land.
In this book, he strives to prove that "the religion of Jesus" bears the tools More...
i am pursuing an adequate understanding of the Gospel of Christ, so I may preach and live it truly.
"Jesus and the Disinherited" has brought me far closer to my goal. I can stand on the shoulder of this giant and see into the promised land.
In this book, he strives to prove that "the religion of Jesus" bears the tools More...
Dec 09, 2009
Mjensen
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Read this! ANd keep reminding yourself he inspired MLK. He was a real trailblazer and revolutionary!
Apr 24, 2010
Charles
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i've read and re-read this over and over for the past many years. soul-shaping.
Apr 28, 2008
This book was held by MLK, read and re-read by him. This book was an enlightening view of Christianity and Jesus from the view of those less fortunate. Christ's teachings in the Roman world were liberal and revolutionary, and books like these help bring me back into perspective.
Dec 17, 2009
Bill
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How the teaching of Jesus can be used to disempower the inner demons of "fear, hypocrisy, and hatred," particularly for those who "stand at a moment in human history with their backs against the wall ... the poor, the disinherited, the dispossessed." A powerful book.
Mar 30, 2008
Long before Dr. King drew on the philosophy of nonviolence to galvanize the nation, Howard Thurman was pointing to how to use the progressive vision humanity found in the New Testament to transform the contemporary world.
Mar 28, 2008
Chad
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something about this book makes me equate it with 'Pedagogy of the Oppressed.' i dunno. have to think more about it, re-read passages and get my thoughts down. and down better.
Aug 05, 2010
Chris
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One of the clearest expositions of the heart of Christianity I've encountered. I really enjoyed re-reading it.
Feb 22, 2011
Mrs.soule
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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.
Mar 19, 2008
Nathan
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Good introduction to liberation theology. Interesting critiue of Paul as a member of the roman oppressor class. mission year book.
Dec 12, 2009
Kharm
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I argued with just about every point Thurman made. Maybe you'll get more out of this if you're Christian.
Apr 28, 2008
Jonathan
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boring. blah blah blah jesus blah blah reading too much into the gospel blah blah.
Jul 04, 2008
Capachino54
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I am just opening it up but I anticipate it being very educational!
Dec 28, 2009
Daryle
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If you have a spiritual nature, and you have not read Howard Thurman, prepare for a major uplift. This book forms a solid foundation for Liberation Theology and an understanding of how a practicing Christian should approach service to the community as we seek to follow the path Jesus set out for us . . . NOT.
Unfortunately I wrote this review a while after the initial reading. I'm almost done with my second reading and while there are other books on Liberation Theology, the focus of t More...
Unfortunately I wrote this review a while after the initial reading. I'm almost done with my second reading and while there are other books on Liberation Theology, the focus of t More...
