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“I have often pondered how we are to disciple nations. Some say it is done by winning a majority of souls in a nation, but the African nation of Malawi with 90% Christians is a dismal failure in terms justice, economic development, and overall of quality of life. Some say discipling a nation is all about quality of life and institutional reform, particularly reforms consistent with modern democracies.
John H wrote this review Tuesday, August 26 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
What is Exlusion?
Exclusion is when we set ourselves apart from others for the purpose of defining our selves and justifying ourselves; we hope to purify ourselves. The difference between us has been healed when Jesus broke the wall of enmity. However, he did not erase the difference (p. 47). The need to restore “Identity” in individuals and whole cultures is a key message of this book. As Christians, we are called to depart from our culture and step into another.
It is impossible to cross-cultures effectively if you do not know who you are. Volf encourages unity in diversity, “One body, many members” (p. 48), not a universal human identity. The bible says we are distinct in our diverse individualities and cultures. The cross of Christ is central. In the scandal of the cross, we find the promise of fellowship with the Crucified Christ. He explains that the core theme of the Gospels is “come and die”. Our identity is “in His image”. However, this identity is not the end; it is a means to the end. Once crucified, we are called to engage the world that is broken. Therefore every social issue must be processed through reflection on the cross. (p. 25). Volf calls us to give up on modern hopes in order to see the only hope in self-giving love (p. 28). Volf defines “exclusion” as a powerful, contagious, and destructive evil.
What is Embrace?
“Embrace”, he writes, is distancing ourselves from our own cultures to create space for the other (p. 30). We must both cultivate a distance from culture and at the same time belong to our culture (p. 37). “Solitarity”, Volf writes, rightly underlines God’s partiality to the ‘helpless’. However solidarity must include self-donation, self-giving. The story of the Good Samaritan illustrates the evil of exclusion in overt acts of violence as well as the non-actions of the disinterested. Truth and justice, Volf argues, are unavailable if we do not choose to embrace (p. 29). What is needed is “space” in our hearts to embrace our neighbors (p. 51). Other cultures are not a threat, but a potential source of enrichment. As we make some distance from our own culture, we actually express judgment against evil in every culture (p. 52).
Modernity will emphasize social arrangements, not social agents. Modernity shifts the “moral responsibility away from us individually and toward society. (p. 21). In ministering to the modernist and the postmodernist, we must insist upon trans-national, trans-ethnic, transcendental communities (p. 39). We must set our hearts on pilgrimage, from our own cultures and to the kingdom of God. Modern Christians tend to seek freedom, without the accompanied “binding” responsibility to a community (p. 42). We must depart our culture with a goal. To depart without a goal, like a nomad always leaving is post-modern. (p. 40) Postmodernity creates a climate in which evasion of moral responsibility is a way of life. Relationships have become “fragmentary” and “discontinuous”. Our modern culture fosters “disengagement and commitment avoidance”. (p. 21)
If what Volf says is true, then ‘calling’ must remain the focus in my ministry. My ministry focus should, as Volf exhorts, “concentrate less on social arrangements and more on fostering the kind of social agents capable of envisioning and creating just, truthful, and peaceful societies, and on shaping a cultural climate in which such agents will thrive.” (p. 21) What Volf makes clear is that exclusion is a sinful activity that ultimately reconfigures the creation in order to distinguish it from the creative activity of differentiation.”“Most intriguing theology-related book I have ever read.”
Jo Perry wrote this review Thursday, September 27 2007. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Very intense and intelectual deals with racism a critical issue for all of us in SA. Strong Theological emphasis. Very cumbersome English else I would rate it 5 *'s”
Rob T wrote this review Wednesday, February 13 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“THe examples he gives are way to often very subjective... but the points he draws out are still valid”
Lazovonvukovaren wrote this review Wednesday, November 21 2007. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
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