Joy Unspeakable

Contemplative Practices of the Black Church (2nd edition)

By: Barbara A. Holmes

Narrated by: Machelle Williams

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 listeners and scholars.

©2017 Fortress Press (P)2022 eChristian

Brilliant author, fascinating exposition

Barbara Holmes produced a thoughtful, intelligent analysis of the contemplative mind as it appears throughout Black history, from African, through the moan of the Middle Passage, the need for secrecy and stillness of enslavement, and then through the Black experience through the lens of various historical figures, up to Barak Hussein Obama. A truly brilliant author, with a very original mind. Anyone interested in spirituality, Black or White, could profit from this most excellent work.

The reader was also wonderful, except that no one had apparently told her how contemplative is pronounced, with the emphasis on TEMP. It was a bit jarring, but I eventually almost got used to it. Almost.

Informative & Holistic

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 addresses contemplative practices that aim towards building a better society. I learned so much and you will too.