The Disparate Ones – Review
I have been familiar with author and blogger Marty Duren for a number of years. I had been searching for podcasts related to ministry as I had just returned to pastoring. I came across one hosted by Marty and I was impressed. I immediately that he did not automatically tow the party-line.
When I received the opportunity to review a pre-release version of his latest book, The Disparate Ones, I knew that I would enjoy it.
The subtitle is Essays On Being in the World but Not of the World. When I think of the phrase “not of the world,” I think of the teaching I received in my younger days that as Christians, we reject the liberal values imposed by “the world” and embrace instead a conservative worldview. Liberals are worldly and conservatives are biblical.
After giving in to the pressure of that teaching for a number of years, I began to reject it. Not that I embraced liberalism but rather I rejected the culture war of liberal vs conservative.
What I read in Essays On Being in the World but Not of the World is a collection of Christian reflections that are unhitched from the culture war. Marty does not begin with the question of “What is most useful to help conservatives beat liberals?” but with “What Jesus want from us?”
I do not want to claim that Marty Duren is a liberal. He comes across as a strong evangelical. But he also is willing to take stands that might make some evangelicals who are immersed in the culture war uncomfortable.
When speaking on poverty, Marty focuses on what Jesus say rather than worrying about whether that oberlaps too much with the liberal agenda.
I found Essays On Being in the World but Not of the World to be extremely refreshing. For those who are drawn to evangelical faith but are hesitant to take on everything that traditionally goes with the conservative worldview, this book is for you.
Again, I am not saying that Marty is attacking conservatism. What I am saying is that he looks at each issue without beginning with the assumption that the traditional conservative (or liberal) interpretation already has all the answers. These issues can be re-examined in the light of Jesus’ teachings aside from where they fall in the culture war.
I hope that conservative, moderate, and liberal Christians read this book. I know it gives me hope that there is a better way forward than the vitriol we experience on social media and other public spaces.
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