A few weeks ago I received a book from Mike Morrell of the Viral Bloggers to review. The name of the book is "The Diversity Culture" with a tag line of "Creating conversations of faith with Buddhist Baristas, Agnostic Students, Aging Hippies, Political Activists, and everyone in between". I must say I was hoping to get one of the other more interesting titles and well known authors. To my surprise however this was a very interesting and engaging read.
The author is Matthew Raley a Pastor of an Evangelistic Free church in California. He comes across in this book as more of a prophet to that body (evangelicalism) than a defender of its culture. He is clear at bringing out the pitfalls of bigotry, stereotyping, labels etc... that so many of us in evangelicalism are guilty of. He calls this the "reject correct" approach. He doesn't let those in the post Modernism or emerging streams off either as he shows that the "accept-affirm" approach also has its weaknesses. These are just a couple of the great points of tension he writes about in the book relating to the diverse culture we are all in. He then contrasts and compares this tension with the way Jesus related to the women at the well. The dialogue between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well has always been one of my favorite biblical narratives. Raley takes this narrative to new heights as he applies it's principals to how we as Christians can effectively relate to the diverse cultural mindsets that exist in our culture right now.
This would be a great book for Christians to have a discussion about. It's not only current in its relevance but prophetic in its overall message of hope in relating to others of diverse philosophies.
1 comment:
Looks like a good book, Ken. It seems that our evangelistic "methods" have been geared toward a more Jewish model (preach the "law" and "sin") instead of manifesting Christ's Life to a dying world.
I am reminded of what Paul wrote in Romans 2:14-15: "For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them."
In other words, the Gentiles KNOW that they are sinners. What they need to know is a SAVIOR.
Jesus said "I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world" (John 12:47). As we live out HIS life, may we see others drawn to that life.
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