Tenth International Conference on Religion & Spirituality in Society

Abstract

Howard Washington Thurman (1900-1981) is one of the greatest figures of American religion in the twentieth century, and is widely recognized as the leading African-American theologian of his time. Hailed as a mystic, preacher, and prophet, he started the first interfaith, interracial, and intercultural church in America in 1944, The Church for the Fellowship of All Peoples in San Francisco. At the heart of Thurman’s Christian faith was a deep spiritual connection with God, nourished by the natural world. It was in nature that Thurman first encountered the abiding sense of God’s presence and his own place in the immensity of creation. The night sky, the ocean, and the river “befriended,” him and the forceful Florida storms “held” him in their embrace. He talked aloud to the oak tree in the yard and found in that communion “the quiet places of my spirit.” These mystical experiences, which he enjoyed all his life, formed the basis for Thurman’s understanding of the unity of all creation, all life, in the presence of God. But unlike many mystics, Thurman’s religious experience did not isolate him from others. In fact, the opposite was true: these spiritual experiences were the source of his sense of community with all humanity. From that came a life dedicated to improving society and uplifting his fellow humans. This paper presents several lesser-known writings of Dr. Thurman that demonstrate the power of nature for spiritual formation today, and its ability to provide common ground across all religious traditions.