Joy Unspeakable, Barbara A. Holmes
Joy Unspeakable, Barbara A. Holmes
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Joy Unspeakable
Contemplative Practices of the Black Church (2nd edition)

Author: Barbara A. Holmes

Narrator: Machelle Williams

Unabridged: 8 hr 58 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 04/19/2022

Synopsis

Joy Unspeakable focuses on the aspects of the Black church that point beyond particular congregational gatherings toward a mystical and communal spirituality not within the exclusive domain of any denomination. This mystical aspect of the black church is deeply implicated in the wellbeing of African American people but is not the focus of their intentional reflection. Moreover, its traditions are deeply ensconced within the historical memory of the wider society and can be found in Coltrane's riffs, Malcolm's exhortations, the social activism of the Black Lives Matter Movement and the presidency of Barack Hussein Obama. The research in this book—through oral histories, church records, and written accounts—details not only ways in which contemplative experience is built into African American collective worship but also the legacy of African monasticism, a history of spiritual exemplars, and unique meditative worship practices. A groundbreaking work in its original edition, Joy Unspeakable now appears in a new, revised edition to address the effects of this contemplative tradition on activism and politics and to speak to a new generation of readers and scholars.

About Barbara A. Holmes

Barbara A. Holmes is author of Dreaming, Liberation and the Cosmos: Conversations with the Elders, Race and the Cosmos: An Invitation to View the World Differently, A Private Woman in Public Spaces, and other publications. She is president emerita of United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities and formerly professor of ethics and African American religious studies and vice president of Academic Affairs at Memphis Theological Seminary.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Steve on May 10, 2020

Barbara Holmes challenges a narrow, Eurocentric definition of Christian contemplation by examining the full range of contemplative practices of the Black church. Contemplation isn't merely stillness or silence; it is whatever roots us inward - toward spirit, toward wisdom, toward an anchor in the be......more

Goodreads review by Melinda on June 12, 2019

"Holiness can be found in refugee camps, in prisons, and under viaducts. It is as apparent when we are in communion with those who are in economic, physical, or spiritual peril as it is during liturgy and worship." Words such as these make up this delicious read. If you want to know more about contem......more

Goodreads review by BrendaC on May 07, 2023

This reads like a dissertation on the Black church. It details its African and American origins and the assimilation into society at large. This book speaks insight and irrefutable facts about social justice movements such as BLM and CRM. It compares and contrasts the two. This book specifically add......more

Goodreads review by Adam on November 04, 2020

Summary: An exploration of contemplation in the Black church. Part of the importance of reading widely is opening up our perspectives to correction. Joy Unspeakable is both discussing the contemplative practices of the Black church but redefining contemplation for those in and outside the Black churc......more

Goodreads review by Luke on December 09, 2021

Holmes presents a deep exploration of Black religious tradition and practice, emphasizing the presence of contemplative spirituality throughout. Key to her study is the disruption and expansion of the hegemonic conceptualization of what "contemplation" means and implies. She argues that that term ha......more

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