New collection from Coleman Brown brings hope in an age of profound anguish and uncertainty

Cascade Books is pleased to announce the publication of Our Hearts are Restless Till They Find Their Rest in Thee, a selection of writings and reflections from the legendary teacher and preacher Dr. Coleman Barr Brown, edited by Michael Granzen and Lisa Masotta, with essays by Peter Ochs, Chris Hedges and Joshua Brown. God will […]

Our Hearts are Restless Till They Find Their Rest in Thee

Cascade Books is pleased to announce the publication of Our Hearts are Restless Till They Find Their Rest in Thee, a selection of writings and reflections from the legendary teacher and preacher Dr. Coleman Barr Brown, edited by Michael Granzen and Lisa Masotta, with essays by Peter Ochs, Chris Hedges and Joshua Brown.

God will take our anger and give it back to us as courage,” Brown says in his reflection “On Anger.” His words are powerfully resonant with the cries for justice in the streets today. “Our anger, when transformed by the Spirit of God, turns compassion from sentimentality and mere feelings of sympathy into active work, into action.” As the demons of white racism and moral nihilism lift their ugly heads anew, Coleman’s words call us to harness and engage our anger to God in the service of common justice and uncommon Beloved Community.

The writings in this book bring philosophical depth to the often terrifying and joyful task of letting God fill our hearts and communities with radical love. “Alone we cannot be healed,” he prayed, “therefore lead us to the discovery of others; free us from our several bondages; cleanse our hearts with honesty; give us courage to accompany our fears; and bring us even to faith, and hope, and love.”


Lorna Goodison, Poet Laureate of Jamaica, notes, “These writings and sermons are a bountiful gift to the world. They are the clear and uplifting observations of a bright soul; the offerings of a wise man who was given tongue and pen to sustain with fitting words, all of us in need of spiritual strength, guidance, and encouragement for the journey,”

Why these writings now? In an age of profound historical anguish and uncertainty, Coleman Brown’s words are holy fire which stir up hope—but not on a surface level. You must dive deep, and then surface. Coleman’s word is demanding hope for this hour.

“I didn’t think it was possible to capture the breadth and depth of Coleman Brown’s words,” says, Teresa Delgado of Iona College. “How they moved and troubled the soul–but this collection does just that. Taking in his words… brought me to the tears Coleman welcomed as a sign of being shaken from slumber to invite a Kierkegaardian ‘fear and trembling’ so necessary to respond to a suffering world. This is a collection to be cherished, not only for his students, but for all who strive to ‘act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with our God’ (Mic 6:8).”

These reflections are a cry from the depths, a prophetic witness to the humanity of God. In the words of the old African-American spiritual, they too sing, “This little Light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!” Let it shine!

Our Hearts are Restless Till They Find Their Rest in Thee

978-1-5326-8516-3 / paper / orders

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Contact:
James Stock
[email protected]
(541) 359-0746

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