Uncommon Ground (Keller & Inazu)

"Living faithfully in a world of difference" is the sub-title and theme of today's review, Uncommon Ground. Featuring Tim Keller, John Inazu, and ten other writers (from various vocations), "this book's central question is how Christians can engage with those around us, while both respecting people whose beliefs differ from our own and maintaining our gospel confidence."

The book is organized under headings of:

• framing our engagement (as theologian, pastor, adventurer, and entrepeneur)
• this "explores the roles through which we think about our engagement with others."
• communicating our engagement (as author, songwriter, storyteller, and translator)
• this "looks at how we speak when we engage our neighbors in an increasingly pluralistic society."
• embodying our engagment (as bridge builder, caregiver, reconciler, peacemaker)
• this considers how we embody our engagement with others.

Some highlights follow.

"As Christians, we are called to contribute to the societies of which we are a part. As we do so, we ought to contribute to the good we share in common with all citizens, not just seek the good of Christians." Recall this theme in Scripture- where Israel, God's people, were living as exiles for centuries and called to both be holy (obedient to God and, in that sense, separate from the people with whom they dwelt) and seek the flourishing of society, for 'in its welfare you will find your welfare' (see Jeremiah 29:7).

We need each other- a diverse community. "When we recognize our need for interdependence, we see ourselves and others rightly: as people made in the image of God, with unique and valuable gifts. That posture invites us to take risks together. It exhorts us to celebrate the success of others instead of feeling threatened, beacuse we know that all of our skills are imporant in God's kingdom. That that leads to deeper unity."

Christians are the salt of the earth, so we "should not remain in the saltshaker." That means being present, and even partnering with, "people, institutions, and movements that diverse in important respects from our core convictions. . . When those differences are unjust or evil, we need to distinguish ourselves from them. But where possible, we should gather near, identify common ground, and draw lines as sparingly as possible . . . Christians should not fail to affirm the good, true, and beautiful wherever we see it, even if it emerges from sources with whom we would otherwise disagree."

Christians are heralds of an eternal message- the gospel. "And we have to learn how to say these eternal things- the dignity and wroth of creatures, the brokenness at the root of humanity, the unrelenting redemption of God, the glorious newness that beckons us- in a language and voice that might make sense of them amid the particular confusion, conflict, longings, and limitations of our own brief era and place." In other words, to speak "in the right way, at the right time."

"People will always gravitate towards a story that aligns with their current way of seeing the world." We must remember the Christian worldview as we approach ourselves and each other- "we are all guilty. We are all villains, the bad guys. The true evil is sin showing its face through broken humanity, and it touches every one of us. The one true hero is Jesus and his power to restore broken hearts and repair the infrastructure corrupted by sin."

We live in multiple worlds- we are simultaneously immersed in work, church, neighborhood, school, and more. We must be translators between these, careful to avoid stereotyping the 'other' and focusing on relationships. We must "make words and ideas accessible to audiences unfamiliar with them." This requires knowing both the subject matter and audience.

We must be bridge builders, for there are vast differences- gaps- between us. "Loving your neighbor is easier when there's very little difference [between you]." But when there are great chasms between you and others, the command to love hasn't changed.

We must be aware that sin "is embedded in institutions and structures that operate through us, even when we're not aware of them." This calls to the need for humility and "embracing the vulnerability, dependence, and love that comes with living inside the life of Jesus . . . and resting there."

"Christians can engage confidently in the work of reconciliation because our confidence isn't in the flesh. We know that we can never do anything apart from Jesus . . . our allegiance isn't to worldly structures and systems but to the Lord. This reality frees us to labor for our neighbor, to engage in the culture for the good of society, and to speak the truth in love."

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This book is largely a series of stories- not a prescriptive outline for living faithfully in a pluralistic society. That threw me off at times, as I kept waiting for (and wanting) that "[x]-step program" to improving in this area. That said, they do conclude with four practices to encourage "faithful presence" with others:

1. Christians should not overidentify with any particular political party or platform.
2. Christians should approach the community around them through a posture of love and service.
3. Christians should recognize that the gospel subverts rival stories and accounts of reality.
• (Don't try "to adapt too much to the culture in an effort to be seen as relevant." For example, don't reduce the gospel to individual self-esteem.)
4. Christians should reach out to others with humility, patience, and tolerance.

Overall, this was a solid book. As with any work featuring multiple authors, some chapters enlightened, humbled or convicted me more than others. But all were solid and worthy of reflection. Especially in these difficult times.

Rating: A