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Compassionate Love and Ebony Grace

Christian Altruism and People of Color

Kortright Davis

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.

Hamilton Books

Pages: 160 • Trim: 6½ x 9¼

978-0-7618-5637-5 • Hardback • March 2012 • $91.00 • (£70.00)

978-0-7618-6374-8 • Paperback • May 2014 • $53.99 • (£42.00)

978-0-7618-5638-2 • eBook • March 2012 • $51.00 • (£39.00)

Subjects: Social Science / Ethnic Studies / African American Studies, Psychology / Interpersonal Relations, Religion / Christian Living / Love & Marriage, Religion / Christianity / General, Religion / Ethics, Social Science / Sociology of Religion

Compassionate Love and Ebony Grace

Christian Altruism and People of Color

Hardback

Paperback

eBook

Summary

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.

Details

Hamilton Books

Pages: 160 • Trim: 6½ x 9¼

978-0-7618-5637-5 • Hardback • March 2012 • $91.00 • (£70.00)

978-0-7618-6374-8 • Paperback • May 2014 • $53.99 • (£42.00)

978-0-7618-5638-2 • eBook • March 2012 • $51.00 • (£39.00)

Subjects: Social Science / Ethnic Studies / African American Studies, Psychology / Interpersonal Relations, Religion / Christian Living / Love & Marriage, Religion / Christianity / General, Religion / Ethics, Social Science / Sociology of Religion

Author

Kortright Davis is currently professor of theology at the Howard University School of Divinity and is also a part-time rector at the Holy Comforter Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C. Davis is the author of several books, including Serving With Power and Emancipation Still Comin.'

Table of Contents

Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter One: The Enigma of Compassion
Chapter Two: Contours of Compassion
Chapter Three: Altruism: Meanings, Measures, and Myths
Chapter Four: The Word and Work of Love
Chapter Five: Love Divine—All Loves Excelling?
Chapter Six: Ebony Love: Spiritual and Sensual
Chapter Seven: Compassionate Love and Ebony Grace
Epilogue
Bibliography
Suggested Further Readings

Compassionate Love and Ebony Grace

Christian Altruism and People of Color

Kortright Davis

Compassionate Love and Ebony Grace

Christian Altruism and People of Color

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