Remembering Faithfully Forward
The Daily Niebuhr Family Meditation-Contemplation Reader
Edited by Barry K. Morris
Foreword by Douglas John Hall
Illustrated by Jim Houston
Imprint: Resource Publications
Daily Meditation readers abound; some, thankfully, endure. Rare are spiritually grounded and contemplative invitations that feature four generations of earnest family teachers, preachers, activists, journalists, and controversial prophets. In various life conditions, threatening and challenged by sickness and despair, herein are eight Niebuhrs' faithful wrestlings. They bequeath bristling morsels and compelling insights, creatively compacted into more than four hundred entries and reference leads for further consideration. Thus, deeply influenced by the patriarch and matriarch, Gustav Sr. and Lydia, arise Reinhold's steadfast reflections on grace-grounded justice and its principles; the caringly layered meanings of the love of neighbor and God from his brother, H. Richard; the dedication to render the faith intelligible to postmoderns held by his son, Richard Reinhold; and the decisive and insightful journalism by, in turn, his son, Gustav Jr., on Lincoln being duly lobbied for mercy to indigenous peoples. And that's not all--the indispensable reminiscences of Reinhold's educator sister, Hulda, and his wife, Ursula, as well as the unearthed grace-based Serenity Prayer of his daughter Elisabeth, corporately express rare gleanings of the Niebuhr clan's virtual school of warm contemplative action.
Barry K. Morris is a Canadian United Church minister of several cities and studied in Vancouver, Chicago, and Wales. He reviews for AAR’s Reading Religion and has contributed to and authored books on urban ministry or particular persons, including The Book of Rita’s Living; The Word on the Street; Hopeful Realism in Urban Ministry; and A Faithful Public-Prophetic Witness. Barry is a lifelong student of the Niebuhrs and a grateful reader of meditation/contemplation books, especially in the service of grounding social justice commitments.
“This is an impressive statement of a love for Reinhold Niebuhr’s thought. . . . Its theology stands in stark contrast to religious fundamentalism and theologies which ignore the realities of political power and self-righteousness.”
—Harvey Stevens, United Church of Canada
“What a serious and loving endeavor. This will be valuable to . . . readers who, like the editor, longed for this voice.”
—Rose-Hannah Gaskin, United Church of Canada, retired
“First impressions; I like.”
—Doug Flint, United Church of Canada, retired
“Your timing is on the mark. Post-COVID-19 pandemic, a meditative and contemplative reader such as this is needed. . . . Your daily reader will deepen my tiny meditative practice—and that of others as well.”
—Michele Lamont, public health consultant
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, I felt isolated and needed connection with others and something larger than myself. Readings that are based in history and the larger Christian community bring comfort and solace. Many people don’t have time to read books but would like short readings to support them in times of suffering and difficulty. Barry Morris’s reflections provide this support and fill this need.”
—Joanne Keelan, retired social worker
“Invitational and wise, this Niebuhr-family meditation-contemplation reader will be a rich resource to any who seek contemplation and spiritual growth. Morris has thoughtfully woven together timeless and prophetic insights. The Niebuhr family’s words and stories offer the reader a much-needed lens through which to reflect on today’s personal and global challenges.”
—Tracy J. Trothen, Canadian Association for Spiritual Care (CASC)
“I found both the foreword and the preface very interesting. Douglas Hall’s description of theology having to ‘reach down deeply into the human mind and spirit and grasp the meaning for society here and now’ resonated with me. . . . I looked at several entries and decided ‘Yes, it would be a good book to have.’ The passages I read in the book are inspiring reading.”
—Mary Al Lay, member, Trinity Grace United Church
“I think people who are interested in ‘what makes Barry tick,’ including me, would be interested in reading the reflections. And I sure appreciate Reinhold Niebuhr’s ‘public theology’ and ‘serenity prayer.’ He and his family contributed hugely to social, public theology.”
—Vicki Obedkoff, United Church of Canada
“This is a beautiful work, and a great treasury of wisdom.”
—Robert Ellsberg, Orbis Books
“This book presents much wisdom and as many challenges . . . the book addresses the needs of those who are serious, studious, willing to be patient, and yet open to social activism even if on the ‘sidelines.’”
—Simon Appolloni, associate publishing director, Novalis Publishing
“This was a fascinating read. Barry Morris has compiled a thoughtful and thoroughly engaging daily meditation and contemplation of Niebuhr’s work. . . . This book is most certainly one that belongs on the bedside table of anyone committed to living their faith out justly, as it provides daily moments of pause, taking stock, and preparing oneself to be engaged in the world around them.”
—Jeffrey Dale, United Church of Canada
“The well-selected excerpts of various writings from members of the Niebuhr clan provide windows for readers—Christian or not—into how to live with searching honesty, integrity, humbleness, and hope. Not at all a bad thing to add to one’s day.”
—Eleanor (Ellie) J. Stebner, Simon Fraser University, emeritus
“Here is an excellent introduction to neoorthodoxy and Christian realism for some readers and a welcome reengagement with the Niebuhrs for those already familiar with writings by and about these giants of American theology and models of pastoral discernment. Recent developments, international and domestic, confirm the timeless insight of Reinhold and H. Richard Niebuhr and underscore their conviction that Christian faith must issue in faithful living even to the broadest horizons of life.”
—Bruce Taylor, author of Love Walks on Wounded Feet
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