Hidden Wholeness: An African American Spirituality for Individuals and Communities

According to the authors of this book, hidden wholeness occurs when individuals empowered with the knowledge of Christ return to their particular religious communities to continue the struggle for liberation. The book provides a fresh look at the contributions of African Americans to the American religious landscape. The authors offer sound historical analysis of the development not only of African American religion in the United States but also of the development of African American spirituality, an area neglected in other seminal studies of the history of African American religion like Cone's and Wilmore's Black Theology: A Documentary History, 1966-1979 (Orbis). In addition to this splendid history, the authors also provide spiritual exercises that individuals and communities may use in the quest for spiritual development. Finally, the authors plumb the depths of African American spiritual wisdom articulated by leading African American religious figures like Peter Paris and Jacquelyn Grant. This powerful book bridges the gap between the past, present and future struggles of African American people to integrate spirituality into their quest for wholeness and liberation. (Apr.)