Compassionate Love and Ebony Grace
Christian Altruism and People of Color
By (author) Kortright Davis
Publication date:
22 March 2012Length of book:
160 pagesPublisher
Hamilton BooksISBN-13: 9780761856375
Why is the Golden Rule so central in almost every culture and religion? What is it that drives human beings to do good to others? Are altruism, compassion, and forgiveness natural forms of human behavior, or do they have to be learned and practiced in the neural context of our primal instincts for survival and self-defense? These are some of the questions that lie behind the study of Compassionate Love amongst people of color. Davis explores the patterns and contours of “other-love,” which he defines as a selfless regard for the well-being of others. He also examines the basis for distinctive modes of compassionate behavior enriched by “ebony grace”—a theological attribution for people of African descent. This text focuses especially on the historical, cultural, and religious heritage that inspires and empowers such attitudes, in spite of constant encounters with systemic negation, social alienation, and unrelenting racism. How is it that Black families in the home, school, and church still support, sustain, and succeed in the practice of unyielding love-in-compassion? That is the magic and mystery within contemporary Black cultural norms and moral values. This text is a powerful attempt to contribute to the debate on Christian altruism.
This book is a must read for anyone interested in a serious theological study of compassion, and more importantly, for anyone who is interested in fostering a more compassionate world. This book certainly belongs in the libraries of seminaries and Christian churches everywhere. —Kelly Brown Douglas, Elizabeth Conolly Todd Distinguished Professor of Religion, Goucher College, Maryland
[Davis] weaves together a tapestry of events at the international, national, political, and yet personal levels to show that we are constantly confronted by choices to show who we are in relation to others. This is a thorough and convincing study; well written and documented. —Faye J. Calhoun, board member of the Society of Spirituality, Theology, and Health and formerly special assistant to the vice chancellor, North Carolina Central University
[Davis] weaves together a tapestry of events at the international, national, political, and yet personal levels to show that we are constantly confronted by choices to show who we are in relation to others. This is a thorough and convincing study; well written and documented. —Faye J. Calhoun, board member of the Society of Spirituality, Theology, and Health and formerly special assistant to the vice chancellor, North Carolina Central University