Review by Booklist Review
Well-known preacher, author, and founder of Sojourners, Wallis argues that we have a serious political, religious, and moral crisis in America and, further, that we have lost Jesus. In examining how we can reclaim him, he poses eight questions that Jesus himself asked or raised. Among them are Who is my neighbor? ""What is the image of God? What is truth? What does it mean to be a peacemaker? . Many of his answers are rooted in politics and may, accordingly, be controversial, since he is no friend to the current administration, writing at length, for example, about the spate of fabrications, falsehoods, and alternative facts emanating from the White House. He castigates the president as exemplifying the worshiper of money, sex, and power and hotly contests the president's attitude toward immigrants and other minorities. Nevertheless, he concludes that our hope isn't in politics but in the renewal of faith and a revival of moral conscience. Thoughtful and intended to provoke spirited discussion, Wallis's book is a forceful invitation to reclaim Jesus.--Michael Cart Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Wallis (God's Politics), founder of the faith-in-action organization Sojourners, explores what it means to follow Jesus in a world in crisis in this stimulating analysis. Wallis asserts that American Christianity is in decline as the result of a distance that exists between Christians and the daily practices of Jesus. In eight questions, he looks at concerns Jesus raised and discusses how the lessons of the gospels apply to the current cultural, social, and political climate. First, he presents "The Neighbor Question," in which he asks what it means to love one's neighbor, particularly those who are different culturally or religiously. In "The Image Question," he explores the implications and responsibilities of being created in God's image, suggesting that churches actively address the sin of racism. "The Truth Question" is a look at American politics, the normalization of lying, and the need for people of faith to speak truth to power. Asserting that a growing spirit of fear will only lead to hatred and violence, he encourages Christians to turn to God and cultivate gratitude in order to combat anxieties, concluding with "The Discipleship Question," where he asks Christians to reflect on Jesus's instruction to help those in need. Welcoming a debate concerning common interpretations of scripture, Wallis's clear espousal of his worries for Christianity is sure to start conversations. (Sept.)
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