was done at Jesus was prejudiced and repented. Nothing to see here

Received ARC by Westminster John Knox Press and Netgalley

{Full disclosure: Westminster John Knox Press gave me a free copy of this book for review.}

This book makes some fantastic points about diversity, and with some tweaks I would recommend it wholeheartedly. As it is I cannot, but more of that later. The very first paragraph of the introduction captured me, and compelled me forward. I don’t think the author or publisher will mind if I try to draw you in with her words:


I have spent my entire life deeply loving people with whom I will never agree. We disagree on politics, on faith, and on some of our core values. Over the last few years I have watched the divisions in our world and especially our country grow deeper and deeper—or perhaps I’ve merely watched existing divisions come more and more to light. I have observed the conversations becoming both angrier (which I believe is sometimes good, or at least fair) and more hateful (which I believe is neither productive nor good). I’ve seen, all around me, people retreating into havens of like-minded community, and I have seen their ability to tolerate others—even to recognize that others are human beings beloved and created in the image of God—wither to nothing. For an empathetic, sensitive, and conflict-averse person, it has been agonizing.


I could not agree more! And there is absolutely no place for this among people who claim to be followers of Christ. She makes a fantastic point by emphasizing that God, by the very definition of “Trinity,” embraces diversity. “God isn’t just capable of relationship; God is relationship. And that relationship is born out of contrast.” Well said!


I also appreciate her references to Paul breaking down barriers and clearly pointing out that the Church Body not just can but must be composed of people with differences. These are important passages against things like sexism, nationalism, and racism that all who claim to be Christian must be aware of. To nobody’s surprise, though, the author (who self-defines as “a liberal, bisexual, female pastor”) left out Paul’s teaching that some things like homosexual activity are not differences but sin.


She rightly points out that portions of the Bible, such as the curse on Ham, have been improperly used to justify bad behavior. I agree completely that the Bible has been abused. In fact, the author herself does so by contending that when Jesus encountered the Canaanite woman he initially sinned, but when she challenged him he then repented and changed His mind. She repeatedly accuses Jesus of prejudice, but that’s understandable since non-Jews throughout the centuries have been unhappy that God made a special covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.


She also points out that the wonderful variety we see in nature is an indication that God appreciates differences. Further, despite her concerns regarding Jesus’ testing of the Canaanite woman, she quite rightly points out that he spent much of his life with people that others had shunned for various reasons.
I

think the author hurts her cause when she portrays the world as far more extreme than it is to try to strengthen her position. For example, “There are normal and abnormal hobbies, normal and abnormal ways to feel about a popular thing or person, normal and abnormal life timelines.” I’ve never found anyone, either in person or in social media, who declared hobbies, feelings about pop culture, or timelines as “abnormal.” People may describe such things as unusual, but that’s quite different.


Another example, “If you like soccer, love Brad Pitt, and get married and have kids, you’re normal and that’s good. If you like rock collecting, think Brad Pitt is ugly, and never have a relationship at all—you’re not just different—you’re weird. And weird carries with it a cost, in social capital at least.” Again, I have never come across anyone who would be less engaged with someone else because of rock collecting or opinions on pop culture stars.


Rather than a theological look at disunity, this sounds far more like the petulant hyperbole of a person who was picked on as a child. Early in the first chapter she asserts, “At some point, we also learn that ‘right’ equals ‘normal’ and that normal is good. And we learn that ‘different’ is bad or wrong.” I strongly disagree with that assertion. She may have felt that way, growing up as different from the majority herself, but it isn’t broadly true.


An even more blatant example: “Acknowledging that others are different requires us to either label them as ‘less than’ or confront the possibility that some of our value and power is undeserved.” What rubbish! I have lived in several parts of the U.S. and have never been in a culture that lived such “requirements.” There are certainly some extremists that feel this way, but they are the exception. The author seems to think that Internet trolls are representative of the culture’s true feelings.


She asserts, “We attempt to justify our fear by demonizing those who are different. We transform our fear into hate. And then hate, too, becomes normalized.” I would very much like to know who the author includes with herself in the pronoun “we.” And how can she support her claim that hate has become normalized? Would she claim that KKK members are considered normal? Not by anyone I know! In general, I support her premise, but she weakens her argument by carrying it to absurd extremes—the same behavior she complains about in others.


This book could (and in my opinion, should) have been an insightful, powerful work on the importance of diversity. Things like sexism, racism, and nationalism have divided us, but all of those are simply differences. They are not things that should lead to fear, power battles, and hatred. Not things that the Bible supports. In fact, the Bible is clearly against them! The author does a wonderful job of laying these out well, and I very much appreciate her words. Unfortunately, she chose to also promote her LGBTQ+ agenda by ignoring the fact that the Bible does declare homosexual activity to be sin. That dissolves the book’s power, and makes it one that I must recommend against.

I like to read different points of view books and this book did that. At first, I had trouble with the writing but then I figured out it was written the way it is so that the reader would stop to think about what they were reading. With all that is going on in the world today, this book is the perfect book to read. It helped me to understand more and also how to think about things differently.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and I have to say this book opened my mind, is making me think and I think in some things it is even changing my mind on a few things. After reading this book I find myself thinking about it and different things that are happening. This was the first book I have read by this author and once I figured out the style of writing, it was a book that opened my mind, made me think about things and made me pause and take a look around. A few times I thought I am seeing this in a whole new light.

There are so many great thoughts in this book, but something about the writing style, as well as too many overly-general examples and points, left me wanting more. It teetered on the edge of being too dry. But again, plenty of food for thought in this one!

Many books have been written about unity, about community, and the need to stay together in spite of mounting challenges. One of the key reasons for separation is the lack of openness toward dissenting viewpoints. This is also known as "the idol of unity" where different views are belittled for the sake of a particular view. As a result, some voted with their feet by walking away. Others suppress their own anger which might appear somewhere else. Still others would lament the growing disunity within the community of faith. This book takes the bull by the horns by addressing diversity with boldness and openness. According to author Layton Williams, it is entirely possible to turn disagreements and doubts into understanding and belief. Instead of retreating back to our cocoons of self-assurance, we are encouraged to debate our differences in the hope that we grow in understanding not just of alternative views, but to learn to see the bigger picture of any issue. Rather than promoting either unity or disunity, the key point is to learn about co-existence even in the lack of agreement. The way toward "holy disunity" is via the 12 unconventional gifts. Some of the positive outlooks toward seemingly "negative" emotional behaviours are highlighted as follows:

Difference: Recognizing each of us has unique God-given images and identities will help us cherish our diversity;
Doubt: Helps us to challenge established beliefs in the hope of greater insight and more robust faith;
Argument: Fear of confrontation just to be nice would deprive us from honest and fruitful engagement;
Tension: Helps us avoid the binary lens to distinguish everything between right and wrong. Instead, allowing tensions would bring about needed balance in any relationship;
Separation: There is a legitimate way in which being apart helps. One example of being separate from the world. In fact, the author argues that separation is a "rite of passage."
Vulnerability: If the Church is able to be open and honest, where members are vulnerable and free, it would bring about a unity that would be priceless;
Trouble: Instead of giving in instinctively to flee from trouble, why not address the root of the trouble? Let the troubles bring people together instead.
Protest: These should not be dismissed but seen as opportunities for change, even as moral obligation to stand up against unfair practices;
Hunger: It's the fear of scarcity that separates us. Learn how to harness the lack into an opportunity to pursue an abundance that lasts;
Limitations: Only God is limitless. We need to learn how live within our limitations, together. Knowing our limits also keeps us humble before an Awesome God;
Failure: It is possible for redemption even after a disastrous setback. Better still, rather than to call it a "failure," why not call it a learning experience?
Uncertainty: As the world becomes increasingly uncertain, we don't have to constantly delay our plans or living just because we don't have a 100% certainty.

I appreciate the list of discussion questions at the back of the book to help us refresh and revisit our own reactions to the book's pointers.

My Thoughts
This book is no ordinary run-of-the-mill publication that tells us to do the ordinary right thing or to behave in expected ways. In fact, it does the very opposite to tell us to resist our creaturely instincts and to take a different stance with regard to viewing "negative" emotions. The twelve "gifts" are often the very sparks that break or divide any Christian communities. The two most popular reactions are to fight until one wins or to take flight just to avoid confrontation. Both of these methods do not solve the underlying need for greater understanding and empathy. Many churches are notorious for doing that. Some of the most controversial issues in this modern age is the LGBTQ divide between the traditional and the liberal. Williams seems particularly passionate about this issue, which is probably why this particular group has been singled out throughout her book. I believe that is because the issue has divided the PCUSA for years, and despite the official approval for gay marriage, it is still a controversial matter within the organization today. While it is important to consider all sides and arguments, inevitably, there will come a time in which we have to take a stand. No matter how nice or how intellectual our arguments are made, people tend to let their hearts rule the day. When that happens, changing perspectives becomes secondary. The primal instincts will then take centerstage.

Williams also says that "separation is in our DNA." I wouldn't go that far to say that. Truth is, it is "sin" that separates. Sinful people have that disposition to do things according to their own ways. In fact, whether one is for or against any issue, the moment one takes a stand, it is already a challenge to others to agree or disagree. Yet, for readers who are unable to nuance Williams's arguments, I would suggest patience. Give the book a chance to makes its case. Then, at the end of it all, if you still disagree, that's still ok. At least, make "understanding" the goal.

All in all, this is a very positive book. It teaches us the basic tools of honest and humble engagement, especially with people different from us. It is also an opportunity to re-examine the basic premises we have pertaining to dealing with differences, doubts, diversities, tensions, separations, troubles, failures, and all the negative emotions triggered by issues we are passionate about. Yet, the best that Williams's book could do is to invite all to come and to remain at the negotiating table, and to adopt a spirit of friendship and understanding. While true agreement and unity remain a distant goal, what is most beneficial is to learn to see from the multiple perspectives presented. Hopefully, this would spur others not only to major on the majors and minor on the minors, it would help us redefine what is major and what is minor in the first place.

Layton Williams is a writer who is focused on intersections of faith, justice, politics, and culture. She is also keen on matters pertaining to sexuality and gender. He holds a BA in English from the University of Georgia and an MDiv from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. She was ordained as a minister with the Presbyterian Church (USA) in 2014.

Rating: 4.25 stars of 5.

conrade
This book has been provided courtesy of Westminster John Knox Press and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.