In the introduction to this 1951 series of sermons by African-American theologian Howard Thurman (1899 – 1981), editors David B. Gowler and Kipton E. Jensen present his career as "a series of bold adventures that woven together constitute a noble if not divine quest in search of common ground and dynamic integration, both within and without, with head and heart, and attempts to approximate the beloved community."

The editors salute Thurman for contributing to the early civil rights movement "the religious tone and the spiritual accent." Well-respected for his insights into the struggle of African-Americans for freedom, he also explored the broad and deep mysteries of human nature. Thurman was a believer in nonviolence as promoted by Mahatma Gandhi and was a seeker yearning for spiritual unity.

In 1944, Thurman accepted a call to become co-pastor of an interfaith and interracial church where he sought through worship and social action to deepen the spiritual lives of those who attended The Church for the Fellowship of All Believers.

This paperback covers in fifteen chapters seven parables of Jesus with such themes as growth and the Kingdom of God, salvation, commitment, the neighbor, the lost, justice, mercy, and more. He talks about the parables of The Sower, The Lost Sheep and Lost Coin, the Prodigal Son, The Good Samaritan, and others. Each sermon opens with a meditation (for an example, see the excerpt) and ends with a benediction.

In this inspiring collection, Thurman proves himself to be a preacher who honors the Bible, provides edifying interpretations of the parables, and opens our hearts to the radical actions of Jesus.

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