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Thirty Days with E. Stanley Jones: Global Preacher, Social Justice Prophet
Does a preacher from the previous century have anything to say to this generation? Yes! His clarion call to justice and loving community was shaped by his friendship with Mahatma Gandhi and influenced the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In one of his famous appeals, Jones “Let us go out to stimulate everybody and throw open the doors of equal opportunity to every single person. We must galvanize beaten down people with a faith in God, in themselves and in the future. … And this faith in humanity would apply to people outside our own borders.”
In his day, E. Stanley Jones (1884–1973) was described as the “greatest missionary since Saint Paul.” More than an evangelist, he was the author of 27 books that sold millions of copies. He also was a statesman, the founder of Christian ashrams, an interfaith leader as well as a spokesman for peace, racial inclusion and social justice. He was a confidant of presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry Truman. Twice nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, his ministry in India brought him into close contact with that country’s leaders including Jawaharlal Nehru, Rabindranath Tagore, and Mahatma Gandhi. His writings from India influenced Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s own nonviolent approach to injustice.
The crystal clarity and the warm hospitality of Jones’ Christian message formed working relationships with leaders of other world religions and often startled his own American evangelical colleagues, especially when he prophetically condemned racism as “spiritual treason against God.”
As challenging as his preaching sometimes was in confronting injustice, Jones was best known for inspirational Christian messages of hope and refreshment for the millions of people from every walk of life who he addressed either in person or through his writings.
Now, a widespread movement is reviving Jones’ spiritual wisdom in the midst of global tensions over faith, ethnicity and race. The Rev. Dr. John E. Harnish, himself a noted Christian educator, writer and pastor, has written 30 short, inspiring true stories from Jones’ life and the people that he touched, that illustrate the timeless, loving wisdom that he believed lay at the core of Christianity.
The stories can be read as daily devotionals or could be discussed with friends or within small groups, Sunday schools and congregations. The book includes a complete discussion guide as well as links to introductory videos by Harnish that can be used to spark discussion in your group.
In his introduction to these 30 stories, Harnish writes, “From Jones’ life and work, we can hear a word which is as relevant today as it was 75 years ago. In a day when tensions between races and religions are on the rise globally and the message of the Christian faith seems to be either weak or aligned with a political agenda, the voice of a true World Christian needs to be heard once again.”
In his day, E. Stanley Jones (1884–1973) was described as the “greatest missionary since Saint Paul.” More than an evangelist, he was the author of 27 books that sold millions of copies. He also was a statesman, the founder of Christian ashrams, an interfaith leader as well as a spokesman for peace, racial inclusion and social justice. He was a confidant of presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry Truman. Twice nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, his ministry in India brought him into close contact with that country’s leaders including Jawaharlal Nehru, Rabindranath Tagore, and Mahatma Gandhi. His writings from India influenced Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s own nonviolent approach to injustice.
The crystal clarity and the warm hospitality of Jones’ Christian message formed working relationships with leaders of other world religions and often startled his own American evangelical colleagues, especially when he prophetically condemned racism as “spiritual treason against God.”
As challenging as his preaching sometimes was in confronting injustice, Jones was best known for inspirational Christian messages of hope and refreshment for the millions of people from every walk of life who he addressed either in person or through his writings.
Now, a widespread movement is reviving Jones’ spiritual wisdom in the midst of global tensions over faith, ethnicity and race. The Rev. Dr. John E. Harnish, himself a noted Christian educator, writer and pastor, has written 30 short, inspiring true stories from Jones’ life and the people that he touched, that illustrate the timeless, loving wisdom that he believed lay at the core of Christianity.
The stories can be read as daily devotionals or could be discussed with friends or within small groups, Sunday schools and congregations. The book includes a complete discussion guide as well as links to introductory videos by Harnish that can be used to spark discussion in your group.
In his introduction to these 30 stories, Harnish writes, “From Jones’ life and work, we can hear a word which is as relevant today as it was 75 years ago. In a day when tensions between races and religions are on the rise globally and the message of the Christian faith seems to be either weak or aligned with a political agenda, the voice of a true World Christian needs to be heard once again.”
179 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 15, 2022
7 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
About the author
John E. Harnish
6 books5 followersJohn E. (better known as "Jack") Harnish is a retired United Methodist pastor who served 45 years in ordained ministry. For seven years he was the Associate General Secretary for the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry for the denomination, working with programs of clergy training around the world. He retired from First United Methodist Church of Birmingham, MI and now lives on beautiful Platte Lake in Northern Michigan. He writes a weekly blog, "Monday Memo" which can be found at his website www.johneharnish.com.
Jack is a graduate of Asbury College, Asbury Theological Seminary and holds a honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary.
Jack is a graduate of Asbury College, Asbury Theological Seminary and holds a honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 16, 2023
My gratitude to John Harish for re-introducing E. Stanely Jones to me...reading this book has been a month-long journey of meeting Brother Stanley again as is for the first time. I first met Dr. Jones at Asbury College (Univesity) in the late '60s. His Hughes Chapel sermon had a profound effect on how I understood what it means to belong to Christ and change my approach to life and ministry.. Through the 70's and early 80's I read most of Jone's books. He was a Christian Witness like no other. Grateful to meet him again and be enriched by his approach to matters of the Christian faith. Thank you, John!!
May 20, 2022
If only my Dad were alive to read this book. I have vague memories of Daddy referencing Rev. Jones, but never really knew why. What a readable way to get to know this giant of a man. So progressive for his time, and sadly, still so for ours. If only those of us who call ourselves Christian could live as he taught and modeled. And Mabel, a strong and vibrant witness in her own right. Thanks Jack for helping me get to know E. Stanley Jones
November 14, 2024
If only there was still an E. Stanley Jones -- someone who cares about others, who wants equality for ALL, who spreads the good news of Christianity without maligning other religions.
This 31 day devotional was terrific.
This 31 day devotional was terrific.
November 11, 2022
Jones was the most prolific "Devotional" writer of many decades. Harnish connects us with the amazing spirit of the one who put the devotion in "Devotional".
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews