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A review by thewildnorry
Faith for This Moment: Navigating a Polarized World as the People of God by Rick McKinley
5.0
This might be my favorite book that I read this year.
Before I launch into my review, let me just say: if you are a Christian living in America, you MUST read this book.
[BACKGROUND STORY BECAUSE I LIKE TO HEAR MYSELF TALK]
I first saw this book on the shelves of Powell's Books out in Portland about a year ago. The cover drew me in (along with the fact that it was sitting amongst the featured texts when you walked in the door), and while it was intriguing enough for me to take a picture and write a note to pick it up at the library later, I left it on the shelf and picked up another book of which I have yet to reach the third chapter. (I'm looking at you Six of Crows.)
The picture continued to resurface throughout the year, but I ignored it. I'm not one for "Christian" books. I don't particularly like listening to books other than the Bible when it comes to picking up "how to's" on living the Christian life.
Yet, after a three day weekend where all I wanted was a good book to read, I decided to finally pick it up at the library. When the library didn't acknowledge its existence, I made the decision to spring for it on Amazon.
The book arrived, I started reading, and I didn't stop.
I finished it in 3 days.
[THE ACTUAL REVIEW]
Within the first few pages I was struck by how well this book walked the tightrope of middle ground. For a book that is in many ways grounded in politics due to its subject matter of the polarization of American culture, it seemed very a-political while also calling us to take a political stance. At no point am I told that liberals have it right and I must become a Democrat or that conservative Republicans are closest to God. Instead, McKinley brings up a variety of issues (i.e. consumerism, refugees, work culture, sexuality) that the political sphere also addresses and urges reader to take a Christ-centered stance on these topics. No political party gets it right because the Gospel transcends American government. It was refreshing.
I've found myself lovingly convicted throughout this book of my apathy and my desire to assimilate into Babylon. It has ignited a fire and reminded me that I am to be an ambassador of Christ rather than simply acknowledging he exists.
It's a fantastic book, and I will definitely read it again. I believe it's the kind of book I could read once a year and learn something new from each time.
Read it. Devour it. Love it.
Before I launch into my review, let me just say: if you are a Christian living in America, you MUST read this book.
[BACKGROUND STORY BECAUSE I LIKE TO HEAR MYSELF TALK]
I first saw this book on the shelves of Powell's Books out in Portland about a year ago. The cover drew me in (along with the fact that it was sitting amongst the featured texts when you walked in the door), and while it was intriguing enough for me to take a picture and write a note to pick it up at the library later, I left it on the shelf and picked up another book of which I have yet to reach the third chapter. (I'm looking at you Six of Crows.)
The picture continued to resurface throughout the year, but I ignored it. I'm not one for "Christian" books. I don't particularly like listening to books other than the Bible when it comes to picking up "how to's" on living the Christian life.
Yet, after a three day weekend where all I wanted was a good book to read, I decided to finally pick it up at the library. When the library didn't acknowledge its existence, I made the decision to spring for it on Amazon.
The book arrived, I started reading, and I didn't stop.
I finished it in 3 days.
[THE ACTUAL REVIEW]
Within the first few pages I was struck by how well this book walked the tightrope of middle ground. For a book that is in many ways grounded in politics due to its subject matter of the polarization of American culture, it seemed very a-political while also calling us to take a political stance. At no point am I told that liberals have it right and I must become a Democrat or that conservative Republicans are closest to God. Instead, McKinley brings up a variety of issues (i.e. consumerism, refugees, work culture, sexuality) that the political sphere also addresses and urges reader to take a Christ-centered stance on these topics. No political party gets it right because the Gospel transcends American government. It was refreshing.
I've found myself lovingly convicted throughout this book of my apathy and my desire to assimilate into Babylon. It has ignited a fire and reminded me that I am to be an ambassador of Christ rather than simply acknowledging he exists.
It's a fantastic book, and I will definitely read it again. I believe it's the kind of book I could read once a year and learn something new from each time.
Read it. Devour it. Love it.