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In this second sermon from the Friends Five-Year Meeting, Thurman parallels the insights of Jesus with the principles of Gothic architecture. In the iconic Gothic arch, Thurman sees pillars that are grounded in the earth, and yet stretch up into infinity. This, he says, reflects human beings in both our earth-bound creatureliness and the reality of the human spirit which seeks trust, understanding, and love. Thurman ties this insight to the temptation story in which the tempter urges Jesus to…

In this brief add-on to Thurman's sermon on Jesus and the Natural order, Thurman discusses the paradox that human beings are at once a part of the natural order, and yet also seem to be over and against nature. Human beings always feel themselves to be threatened by the impersonal forces of nature, which ultimately feeds the fear that perhaps we are alone, cut off, isolated in this world. If only the world could acknowledge us, to know our private world of hopes, dreams, and aspirations, perhaps…

In this second sermon from the Friends Five-Year Meeting, Thurman returns to the temptations of Jesus. The tempter urges Jesus to jump off a tower. Thurman says that the logic behind the tempter's dare is that there is no order or structure to existence; the tempter tries to convince Jesus that he is above the natural order. However, the truth is that if we do not act in accordance with the order, the order itself will destroy us. "Thou shalt not tempt God." Thurman relates this to America and…

In this recording within the We Believe Series; Howard Thurman reads from his text, "The Growing Edge." In his reading, he relates human life to a seed that is in the wind. He notes that a person "without God is a seed in the wind," which suggests that God is the source of grounding and life. He then speaks to the dynamic nature in life, and how though life is filled with both devastation and joy, that one should rejoice in the gift that is life.

In this recording within the We Believe…

In this recording within the We Believe Series; Howard Thurman reflects upon Jane Steger's "Leaves From A Secret Journal," to reflect upon the significance of personal experience. He reflects upon a dog, from Jane Steger's writing, who is blind but slowly is able to see light, to which Thurman asks the question, "Did you ever dream that this universe of light was waiting for you?" From this question, Thurman dives into the significance of human experience, revering relationship as the driver for…

A recording of Howard Thurman reading a selection of Psalms for recordings by the American Bible Society devotionals entitled, "Hear Us and Help" in November 1971. On this side of the recording, Thurman read Psalms 4, 5, 6, 13, 16, 25, 31, 33, 42, 61, 70.

A recording of Howard Thurman reading a selection of Psalms for recordings by the American Bible Society devotionals entitled, "Hear Us and Help" in November 1971. On this side of the recording, Thurman read Psalms 71, 77, 86, 90, 103, 139.

Thurman reflects on the importance of Christian ethics, emphasizing that no individual should be excluded from moral responsibility, as every person embodies the face of God. He also highlights Martin Luther King's approach to racial injustice, asserting that it is a sin against God, and discusses the personal and collective struggles with racial prejudice, linking moral responsibility to one's relationship with God.

Thurman recalls significant childhood moments, including their difficult first day at school and their mother's inventive cooking, which left a lasting impression on their life. He also reflects on the nature of suffering, both deserved and undeserved, and the complexities of their personal spiritual journey, grappling with the role of Jesus and faith in their understanding of life's struggles.

Howard Thurman emphasizes that personal fulfillment and self-realization are key to salvation, and that individual purpose, rather than external titles or religious status, is what ultimately brings meaning. He also suggest that the rebellion against organized religion cannot be attributed to a single cause, as it's a complex issue involving multiple factors.