Browse Items (351 total)

In this seventh sermon on the prophets, Thurman highlights two points found in the prophet Jeremiah. Firstly, Jeremiah presents us with the problem of history and responsibility. Often we think our actions as our own, set into motion by our own agency, but in truth we act as a result of processes unfathomable to us. What then is the place of responsibility when it seems we have no control? Thurman does not answer this question, but simply ponders. Secondly, Thurman says that Jeremiah…

"To do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with that God." In this ninth sermon on the prophets, Thurman explores the notions of justice, mercy, and humility as they are recounted in Micah. We often think of justice as a balance sheet, the "eye for an eye" logic. But Thurman invokes Jesus who teaches that mercy is more important than justice. Mercy and kindness is an act that cannot be paid back, and in fact continues to multiply itself in the recipient. This, Thurman says, is what it…

In this recording within the We Believe series; Howard Thurman reflects upon Olive Schreiner's "From Man to Man," and his time spent with Gandhi. Each of these reflections speak to Thurman's conception of truth, namely, what happens when one is forced to reject truth. For Thurman, justice, resistance, prosperity, etc. all find themselves hubbed in a longing for the truth to be manifested.

In this recording within the We Believe series; Howard Thurman reads and reflects from his work, "The…

In this recording within the We Believe Series; Thurman draws from his work "Meditations of the Heart" to reflect upon the meaning of a new year. He suggests that each passing year is a "year that has fulfilled itself and passed on," and is filled with change, fresh starts, grace, and hard lessons. In the passing of the previous year, Thurman suggests, there is an "opportunity to love life more wisely," noting that both the past and the future are "Golden Ages."

In this recording within the…

In this recording within the We Believe Series, Thurman reads three poems written by various authors speaking to subjects of war, conscientious objection, aggression, and violence. Each of these poems are read as a reflection upon the Memorial Day holiday. The first poem, by John Drinkwater, deals with aggression as it is related to war. The second poem, by Badget Clark, deals with a young man's decision to fight in the Civil War. The third, and final poem, by Edna St. Vincent Millay, speaks to…

In this recording within the We Believe Series, Howard Thurman speaks to what it means to live a life that is truly one's own. Drawing from Catherine Coblentz' "Blue Cat of Castle Town," and a story of a dog who has lost its bark, Thurman challenges the listener to discern what their true voice is, how one comes to singing their own song. Thurman agrees that the process of finding one's own song is difficult; however, Thurman maintains that finding your own song is one of the most integrous…

Thurman starts this recording by talking about the desire to be remembered and recognized in the world. If one is anonymous in their life, then they are living without life, and death isn’t even fully dying. Then he proceeds to answer questions from people in an audience. This prompts Thurman to tell the story of how the group he brought to San Francisco and the Fellowship Church formed. With this, he also explains the racial breakdown of the United States while this was happening. Thurman tells…

Thurman begins by discussing the shyness he had when he was young, and how it caused him to create a strong relationship with God. With this, Thurman emphasizes the importance of a sense of validity with something greater than a human being. He also talks about his teacher of systematic theology, and how he shaped him to be his absolute best. His teacher had great plans for him, but unexpectedly passed away before Thurman could execute all of them. After this Thurman tells anecdotes about how he…

Thurman tells the story of how he travelled to New York to speak with Martin Luther King Jr. while King was in the hospital. Thurman talks about how he is able to reach King, and the conversations they have which center on his healing.

Thurman begins this lecture by telling a story of a man with a bitter heart learning to forgive with the guidance of an angel and God. The angel strips him of all outward attributes and circumstances, which allows for the man to see everything and fully understand himself and God. After this, Thurman states how he wants to think with the audience in terms of his own journey in this lecture. Compromise is the first topic that Thurman discusses. He states that no man lives in a society that he…