Ubuntu
I in You and You in Me
Published on 21. May 2009
Book
Paperback/Softback
166 pages
978-1-59627-111-1 (ISBN)
Description
As defined by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a person with Ubuntu is open and available to others, affirming of others, does not feel threatened that others are able and good, for he or she has a proper self-assurance that comes from knowing that he or she belongs in a greater whole and is diminished when others are humiliated or diminished, when others are tortured or oppressed.
The African spiritual principle of Ubuntu offers believers a new and radical way of reading the Gospel and understanding the heart of the Christian faith, and this new book explores the meaning and utility of Ubuntu as applied to Western philosophies, faith, and lifestyles.
Ubuntu is an African way of seeing self-identity formed -through community. This is a difficult worldview for many Western people, who understand self as over, against, or in competition with others. In the Western viewpoint, Ubuntu becomes something to avoid-a kind of co-dependency. As a Christian leader who understands the need, intricacies, and delicate workings of global interdependency, Battle offers here both a refreshing worldview and a new perspective of self-identity for people across cultures, and of all faiths.
The African spiritual principle of Ubuntu offers believers a new and radical way of reading the Gospel and understanding the heart of the Christian faith, and this new book explores the meaning and utility of Ubuntu as applied to Western philosophies, faith, and lifestyles.
Ubuntu is an African way of seeing self-identity formed -through community. This is a difficult worldview for many Western people, who understand self as over, against, or in competition with others. In the Western viewpoint, Ubuntu becomes something to avoid-a kind of co-dependency. As a Christian leader who understands the need, intricacies, and delicate workings of global interdependency, Battle offers here both a refreshing worldview and a new perspective of self-identity for people across cultures, and of all faiths.
Reviews / Votes
"Michael's book helps us all to see that we are all inextricably linked together. We forget this at our peril. The good news, however, is that God's love will not leave us alone. It is my prayer that, in the same way, Ubuntu will not leave us alone."-Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Prize-winner and retired archbishop of Cape Town, South Africa
"If the community of the holy people of God is about nothing else, we must be about truly loving our neighbors as ourselves. We must understand and celebrate our inextricable links to each other always walking with Jesus our Beloved. This book is an offering to the holy people of God at the 76th General Convention. It is an introduction to a way of life that asks us to venture together into a new understanding of individualism and community."
-Bonnie Anderson, D.D., President, The House of Deputies
"With each chapter of this timely and compelling volume, Michael strains time and again-and ever more urgently-to have us see as he has seen, to hear as he has heard, to feel as he now feels, to sense more intuitively, to internalize more instinctively, to actualize more spontaneously, the blindingly simple yet inexplicably elusive Gospel imperative to love one another. He does so as a teacher, with all the compassion and grace, passion and delight, tenderness and thoughtfulness, love and humility-that is, with the spirit, the life force. Indeed that is the essence of Ubuntu."
-Jenny Plane Te Paa, a theologian and dean of St. John's College in Auckland, New Zealand
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 217 mm
Width: 141 mm
Thickness: 12 mm
Weight
251 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-59627-111-1 (9781596271111)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
05/2009
1st Edition
Seabury Books
from
€24.69
Available for download
Person
Michael Battle has served the church in many capacities, as Anglican/Episcopal priest, seminary dean and professor, writer, speaker, and retreat leader. His ministry covers the globe and focuses on Christian non-violence, human spirituality, and Black Church Studies. He was ordained by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, earned Ph.D. from Duke University, and is the author of nine books, including Ubuntu: I in You and You and Me, from Seabury Books.
Michael is currently President of the PeaceBattle Institute. He also served as Canon Theologian in the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles and rector of The Church of Our Savior in San Gabriel, California. Previously, he served as Provost of the Cathedral Center,Vice President, Associate Dean of Academic Studies and Associate Professor of Theology at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Virginia.
He also served as Chaplain to the Episcopal House of Bishops; Member of Theology Committee of the Episcopal Church; and currently serves as Spiritual Director for CREDO, Wellness Conference of the Episcopal Church.
Michael is currently President of the PeaceBattle Institute. He also served as Canon Theologian in the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles and rector of The Church of Our Savior in San Gabriel, California. Previously, he served as Provost of the Cathedral Center,Vice President, Associate Dean of Academic Studies and Associate Professor of Theology at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Virginia.
He also served as Chaplain to the Episcopal House of Bishops; Member of Theology Committee of the Episcopal Church; and currently serves as Spiritual Director for CREDO, Wellness Conference of the Episcopal Church.