Howard Thurman was one of the most important Christian thinkers of the 20th century. He was a pastor, author, and civil rights leader. His book Jesus and the Disinherited became a powerful influence on many leaders in the fight for justice—including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
In fact, Thurman was a mentor to King’s father and later became a personal influence on King himself. Dr. King often carried Jesus and the Disinherited with him while marching for civil rights. The book’s message of love, courage, and nonviolence helped shape the way King led the movement.
Thurman wrote this book especially for people who feel left out, pushed down, or powerless. He called them the “disinherited.” The book offers spiritual wisdom and hope to help them rise with dignity and strength.
Who Are the Disinherited?
Thurman uses the word disinherited to describe people who have been robbed of hope and opportunity—especially due to poverty, race, or social class. These are people who live with fear, rejection, and injustice. Having grown up in the segregated South, Thurman knew this experience firsthand.
Fear and Its Effects
One of the main ideas in the book is that fear shapes the lives of the disinherited. Fear of violence, fear of loss, and fear of being seen as “less than” can lead to anger, shame, or bitterness. It can also cause people to hide their true selves or act in harmful ways. Thurman says this fear must be faced if healing is to happen.
Jesus Stands with the Oppressed
Thurman points out that Jesus Himself was poor and part of a group that faced injustice—the Jewish people under Roman rule. Jesus knew what it meant to live with fear and pressure. But instead of giving in to hate, Jesus chose love. He stood with the weak, healed the hurting, and challenged those in power. His example gives hope to the disinherited.
Love as Resistance
For Thurman, love is not weakness—it is power. He teaches that responding to hate with love, and injustice with kindness, takes great courage. This kind of love breaks the cycle of hate. It also builds dignity and opens the door for healing. This message of nonviolent love deeply inspired Martin Luther King Jr. and became a foundation for the civil rights movement.
The Importance of Community
Thurman writes that people need one another. A supportive, caring community helps the disinherited find courage and joy. In community, people can pray together, speak honestly, and stand up for justice without being alone. Love and unity give strength in hard times.
Faith as a Force for Justice
Thurman says faith is not just about comfort—it’s a tool for change. Trusting in God’s love and justice gives people the strength to resist wrong and live with hope. Faith leads the disinherited to rise above fear and live with purpose, no matter what the world says about them.
Living It Out Daily
At the end of the book, Thurman gives practical ways to follow Jesus:
- Face your fears honestly
- Choose love instead of hate
- Pray with openness and truth
- Build supportive relationships
- Speak and act for justice in daily life
Why This Book Still Matters
Even today, Jesus and the Disinherited speaks clearly. It reminds us that Jesus is on the side of the hurting. It challenges us to face our fear, reject hate, and live in love. And it shows us that even when the world pushes people down, God lifts them up.
