What do you think?
Dancing in No Man’s Land: Moving with Peace and Truth in a Hostile World
Are you tired of the conflict all around you?
It happens over and over again. A political argument with a friend, a fight about racial issues on the internet, a disagreement with a coworker―at the first sign of conflict, we flee to a bunker with people who think like us and attack everyone else. We feel safe there, but it’s killing us: killing families, friendships, civility, and discourse.
Our fractured world desperately needs a different way: people who will speak gently, value truth, and think clearly. Dancing in No Man’s Land is a rallying cry, a life-giving and practical journey into the way of Jesus that will revolutionize how you view conflict. You can choose to speak both truth and peace in the midst of war. You can step out of our bunkers and into no-man’s land, where only brave souls tread. It may look like you’re dodging cultural landmines. But you might just be learning how to dance.
It happens over and over again. A political argument with a friend, a fight about racial issues on the internet, a disagreement with a coworker―at the first sign of conflict, we flee to a bunker with people who think like us and attack everyone else. We feel safe there, but it’s killing us: killing families, friendships, civility, and discourse.
Our fractured world desperately needs a different way: people who will speak gently, value truth, and think clearly. Dancing in No Man’s Land is a rallying cry, a life-giving and practical journey into the way of Jesus that will revolutionize how you view conflict. You can choose to speak both truth and peace in the midst of war. You can step out of our bunkers and into no-man’s land, where only brave souls tread. It may look like you’re dodging cultural landmines. But you might just be learning how to dance.
- GenresChristian
240 pages, Paperback
Published May 22, 2018
About the author
Brian Jennings
4 books10 followersBrian lives in Tulsa with his wife, Beth, and their four children. Brian preaches at Highland Park Christian Church and serves on the boards of Blackbox International (help for trafficked boys) and Ozark Christian College. He has written for Lookout Magazine, Christian Standard, and What's In The Bible. You can learn about his books, "Lead Your Family" and "Dancing in No Man's Land: Moving With Peace And Truth In A Hostile World" (May, 2018) at brianjenningsblog.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 7, 2022
I endorse this book for people who want to move past vitriol to peaceful cooperation, while not sacrificing truth.
In Dancing In No Man’s Land, Brian Jennings has written a book which is prophetic for our time, a time when people are lining up in warring camps, and bombarding one another with verbal jabs, insults and distorted truth from the safety of their bunker. This book is recommended for anyone who is entrenched in their bunker, and those who are considering jumping into a bunker because the threat of dancing in no man’s land has become too threatening.
In the first section (chapters 1-5), building off the thematic element of bunker warfare, the entrenchment model for battle in World War I, the author demonstrates the deadliness of our current bunker manner of dealing with disagreement and hostility. He then invites us to get out of our bunkers and dance in no man’s land. Our bunkers are those secure places we have built from which we can safely attack and demean others who disagree with us while huddling with those with whom we agree. No Man's Land is that place of risk between the trenches where we choose to learn to live in peace and grace because we've learned that we are not each others'enemies. The author diagnoses the problem and damage that our bunker mentalities inflict on the people around us and society in general from both a sociological and spiritual dimension.
In the second section (chapters 6-12), which the author states is his favorite part of the book, he leads the reader through several complementary aspects of character, which often may be seen as in conflict with one another, which are necessary to see us extricate ourselves from our bunkers and take the risk of dancing in no man’s land. These complementary aspects include Grace and truth; Wisdom and tact; Gentleness and strength; and Humility and courage, among others.
The real treat is in the final section (chapters 13-18) where the author applies the principles of breaking out of our bunkers to several areas in which our culture has become divided. While speaking to the issues of racial division, polarizing politics, class warfare, generational discord and faith fights, the author shows us how to walk the tightrope of grace and truth. We do not have to avoid these issues in polite company. The divisions can be addressed and healed as we hold onto our friendships with one another, as we treat each other with grace.
In Dancing In No Man’s Land, Brian Jennings has written a book which is prophetic for our time, a time when people are lining up in warring camps, and bombarding one another with verbal jabs, insults and distorted truth from the safety of their bunker. This book is recommended for anyone who is entrenched in their bunker, and those who are considering jumping into a bunker because the threat of dancing in no man’s land has become too threatening.
In the first section (chapters 1-5), building off the thematic element of bunker warfare, the entrenchment model for battle in World War I, the author demonstrates the deadliness of our current bunker manner of dealing with disagreement and hostility. He then invites us to get out of our bunkers and dance in no man’s land. Our bunkers are those secure places we have built from which we can safely attack and demean others who disagree with us while huddling with those with whom we agree. No Man's Land is that place of risk between the trenches where we choose to learn to live in peace and grace because we've learned that we are not each others'enemies. The author diagnoses the problem and damage that our bunker mentalities inflict on the people around us and society in general from both a sociological and spiritual dimension.
In the second section (chapters 6-12), which the author states is his favorite part of the book, he leads the reader through several complementary aspects of character, which often may be seen as in conflict with one another, which are necessary to see us extricate ourselves from our bunkers and take the risk of dancing in no man’s land. These complementary aspects include Grace and truth; Wisdom and tact; Gentleness and strength; and Humility and courage, among others.
The real treat is in the final section (chapters 13-18) where the author applies the principles of breaking out of our bunkers to several areas in which our culture has become divided. While speaking to the issues of racial division, polarizing politics, class warfare, generational discord and faith fights, the author shows us how to walk the tightrope of grace and truth. We do not have to avoid these issues in polite company. The divisions can be addressed and healed as we hold onto our friendships with one another, as we treat each other with grace.
October 6, 2018
Divide and conquer.
Us vs. “them”.
It’s a tactic that has worked since the beginning of war; label the enemy and attack.
Anyone with social media, a radio, or a television can clearly see that there is a war going on. Everyone is right, everyone needs to prove how right they are, and we all suffer.
Dancing In No Man’s Land by Brian Jennings is an incredible book that helps us to see how we can balance peace with truth. He takes Biblical scriptures of being kind, loving our neighbors (and enemies!), and being a light to the world to show that if something we want to say isn’t kind, helpful, or loving it doesn’t need to be said.
He shows examples in the Bible where Jesus showed righteous anger (table flipping, anyone?!), times when he rebuked with his own questions, times when he stayed silent.
But most of all, Jennings showed us how we’ve all become accustomed to picking sides and creating our own bunkers to throw our assaults from and how those who can meet in the middle (“no man’s land”) are the ones who can actually change the world. Throwing bombs across the trenches isn’t going to change anyone’s mind - it’s only going to make people defensive and hurt.
This book opened up my eyes on how to love like Jesus while still speaking His truths.
This book was given to me by Tyndale Publishers in exchange for my honest review.
Us vs. “them”.
It’s a tactic that has worked since the beginning of war; label the enemy and attack.
Anyone with social media, a radio, or a television can clearly see that there is a war going on. Everyone is right, everyone needs to prove how right they are, and we all suffer.
Dancing In No Man’s Land by Brian Jennings is an incredible book that helps us to see how we can balance peace with truth. He takes Biblical scriptures of being kind, loving our neighbors (and enemies!), and being a light to the world to show that if something we want to say isn’t kind, helpful, or loving it doesn’t need to be said.
He shows examples in the Bible where Jesus showed righteous anger (table flipping, anyone?!), times when he rebuked with his own questions, times when he stayed silent.
But most of all, Jennings showed us how we’ve all become accustomed to picking sides and creating our own bunkers to throw our assaults from and how those who can meet in the middle (“no man’s land”) are the ones who can actually change the world. Throwing bombs across the trenches isn’t going to change anyone’s mind - it’s only going to make people defensive and hurt.
This book opened up my eyes on how to love like Jesus while still speaking His truths.
This book was given to me by Tyndale Publishers in exchange for my honest review.
January 29, 2019
This book was exactly what I didn’t know I needed. Important and critical issues have arisen in our culture that I didn’t become aware of or passionate about until relatively recent years. I’ve stumbled through trying to get clarity and form my own opinions on these topics, but sadly I’ve dug my own personal bunkers about some of the topics. And unfortunately, other believers in Christ who didn’t share my opinions started feeling like the enemy. These beliefs have caused heartache, disappointment and division. “Dancing in No Man’s Land” has restored unity and given me a greater understanding on how to engage in a way that is helpful and not so divisive. This book was a delight to read even though it stirred in me conviction. Ultimately, the author’s words brought freedom to my weary (and prideful) heart. I can’t recommend it enough.
September 5, 2018
The premise of this book is that (a) much of society is divided into polar opposites (bunkers), including our churches, and (b) grace requires Christians to step in between the opposite positions most of the time. The author comprehensively goes through bunkers as presented biblically, as well as secularly in issues of diversity, politics, class, and age. The author also indicates ways for Christians to show grace in these situations. Here's hoping that more authors take the grace approach instead of tolerance or division.
May 27, 2019
The book speaks of how conflict can affect relationships at every level: families, co-workers, friends; plus, how to best speak truth and peace to others and stay out of bunkers where we hurl insults against people who differ from us.
I should probably have taken notes while reading, but if/when I do re-read I will need to do so.
Favorite beginning quote: "Many embarked upon a quest to find the light by digging deeper in the dirt. But a few tried climbing toward the sun."
I should probably have taken notes while reading, but if/when I do re-read I will need to do so.
Favorite beginning quote: "Many embarked upon a quest to find the light by digging deeper in the dirt. But a few tried climbing toward the sun."
July 22, 2019
This book wasn’t an easy read, but the message was loud and clear, “Get unstuck, get out if your bunkers, and go into no man’s land”. We read this as a small group bible study and it was excellent as a discussion starter.
August 26, 2018
Good discussion of the lack if civility found both in America and in the church.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews