The African Sermons

Every Sunday in Lambaréné, Gabon, Albert Schweitzer delivered an outdoor sermon in French. Although never intended for publication, many of the sermons were transcribed by Schweitzer’s listeners. Translated into English and collected in one volume for the first time, Steven E. G. Melamed, Sr., surviving sermons make a great contribution to the field, characterizing Schweitzer’s simplicity of language, his emphasis on personal conduct, and his adaptation of biblical stories to the everyday realities of African life.

Delivered between 1913 and 1935, these sermons evolved as Schweitzer matured and became more attuned to his surroundings. Since it contains what is most likely the entire extant corpus of Schweitzer’s sermons in Africa, this book fills a significant gap in Schweitzer scholarship affording unique insight into his own beliefs and the prevailing European attitude toward Africans.