Mutual Treasure

As Nicholas Wolterstorff, Noah Porter Professor Emeritus of Philosophical Theology, Yale University, observes, "The editors do not just argue that Christians can be more effective agents of redemption by respectful dialogue than by aggressive confrontation; they present eight highly diverse and imaginative case studies in which this actually happened. It's a timely and very important contribution." Mark Noll, Francis A. McAnaney Professor of History, University of Notre Dame, believes "The book deserves careful attention-read it and think!"

Rejecting both Christian withdrawal from and confrontational approaches to culture, this volume calls for engaging others by coming alongside them, building relationships of trust through which to seek mutual treasure."We can learn much," observes Eastern Mennonite University President Loren Swartzentruber,from the book's "stories of meaningful interaction with those who hold differing points of view." Or as Jeanne Heffernan Schindler, Department of Humanities, Villanova University puts it, the "collection challenges us to think creatively about the demands of discipleship in a divided world." And Randall Balmer,Professor of American Religious History at Barnard College, Columbia University, believes "the approaches offered here are eminently worthy of emulation."

Speaking in the Foreword, Richard Mouw sees things this way: "Fortunately there are several points on the engagement spectrum between military campaigns and preparation for marriage, and this excellent book of essays has located exactly the right point: friendship. To be a friend is to come alongside of the other person. It is to make room in one's own consciousness for the other person's hopes and fears. To be a friend is to be committed to an ongoing dialogue, a process of genuine listening and empathetic responding."