Browse Items (7 total)

In this recording within the We Believe series; Howard Thurman reads from James Cane Allen's "The Choir Invisible," in order to reflect upon the ways in which one can come to understand community. He notes that in one's own quest for identity, that relationships can become utilitarian, only being aware of community "at points of relevancy to our purposes." What Thurman is insisting in this recording, is that when one pushes past the superficial boundaries of separateness, that one can find the…

This sermon is the eighth of nine in a series of sermons given in Marsh Chapel that are titled "The Inward Journey." In this sermon, Thurman explores St. Augustine's texts "Confessions," and "City of God." He uses each of these texts to navigate St. Augustine's theological posturing towards salvation, original sin, free will, and conversion. The climax of this sermon critiques Augustine's claim that the church is the place to which humanity finds salvation, which is held in juxtaposition to…

This sermon is the seventh of nine in a series of sermons given in Marsh Chapel that are titled "The Inward Journey." In this sermon, Thurman explores St. Augustine's biography, specifically speaking to the influence of Manichean Philosophy on Augustine prior to his conversion to Christianity. Thurman notes of the dualistic nature of this philosophy, and the ways in which redemption for both the body and the mind are non-existent in this train of thought. Thurman continues by noting the…

Thurman reflects on the challenges leaders face in guiding social movements, touching on the complexities of leadership, redemption, and the human ego. He also discusses the role of violence in social change, contrasting it with nonviolent methods and exploring the psychological and societal factors that influence individual decisions about life, death, and freedom.

Thurman reflects on the psychological and spiritual process of self-discovery, highlighting the importance of breaking free from conditioning, as seen through the experiences of individuals like the tax collector who finds redemption through God's love. He further explores how societal systems, like the state, can provide a sense of significance, but also how the role of a savior requires constant growth and staying ahead of the followers to maintain relevance and prevent being overtaken.

Thurman explores the profound spiritual journey and psychological struggles individuals face in reconciling their internal conflicts and self-awareness. He reflects on how love, self-acceptance, and the concept of the Savior play crucial roles in personal growth, while acknowledging the complexities of human existence, vulnerability, and the search for deeper meaning.

In this eighth installment of the Discipline of the Spirit, Howard Thurman uses Goethe's Faust to set the tone as he discusses the principles of dualism and redemption. Thurman goes on to discuss whether our contradictions in life are final considering the righteousness of God. The movement of the creator through the experience of man is also discussed.