Strangers and Scapegoats: Extending God’s Welcome to Those on the Margins

by Matthew S. Vos

We live in a world of oppositional relationships and increasing in-group/out-group divisions. Christian sociologist Matthew Vos explains how the problem of the stranger lies at the root of many problems humanity faces, such as racism, sexism, and nationalism. He applies classic sociological theory on "the stranger" to matters of faith and social justice, showing that an identity in Christ frees us to love strangers as neighbors and friends. The book also includes two guest chapters, one on intersex persons and the church and one on stranger-making in the "correctional" system.

288 pages, Paperback

Published August 16, 2022

Reviews

[Kristjan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Book is divided into two (2) parts, with the first part focused on identifying the stranger in terms of in groups and out groups (were I typically use the terms self and other). A lot of effort goes into explaining how the poor treatment of out groups is a mechanism for preserving group boundaries; however, the analysis was not convincing at times; his anecdotal evidence just didn’t match my anecdotal experience (which tended to be a lot more nuanced and less an argument of absolutes). For example … in discussing a lynching of a black man in TN, the author makes this curious statement: “ Of course, their actions showed little concern for the traumatized African Americans among them.” My own conclusion is the exact opposite … the whole reason the mob lynched the man was because of the impact they believed that would have on the “African Americans among them.” The author is looking at the desired effect for the “in-group” where I see a desired effect on the “out-group” … while the net may be the same (preserving group boundaries), the difference in motivational assignment (group cohesion vs power security) makes it difficult to fully accept the author’s over all point.

Unfortunately this is not an isolated example … making the book a more difficult read than I had hoped because of the generated dissonance with my own [admittedly amateur] understanding of social interactions … and while I may not be professional educated in the subject, I have enough personal experience and self-directed study in the field to have pre-existing and well formed opinions on just about everything the book covered. Before too long, I kept hearing Inigo Montoya’s voice in my head saying “I don’t think it means what you think it means.” Ultimately I do understand the message the author is trying to convey (and which I generally agree with), I just had to work harder at it than I was hoping for. As with many discussions/arguments, it is such easier to see where we disagree than where we agree (since we only critically examine the former). That is not to say that I could not find a few hidden gems here … such as the rather poignant observation that “in American culture we accept violence as legitimate, exciting, and necessary.”

Major props for taking a stab at unpacking how our society creates and treats strangers with respect to social ills; however, there were too many points that just didn’t seem to work in my head and there wasn’t much there to change my mind on most of those. Unfortunately, the book diverged even further from my own perspectives when it turned to the criminal justice system with a claim that “crime” is actually necessary for group boundary definitions … I am fairly sure that is completely backwards … crime exists because of group boundaries (and studies have indicated social limits to group sizes, so boundaries will always exist). Again … I have a fair amount of direct experience from multiple perspectives with the US Justice System here … In the end, I just didn’t get what I was looking for here. I had hoped to get more specifics on the psychology of how and why we demonize others … and while I got the how … the why was mostly missing. This understanding is key in countering our human nature here … instead the book appears to rely on simply showing how terrible this activity is and relying heavily on [biblical inspired] guilt to promote change (which I believe is not a viable solution to this particular problem). Still … given my own belief that this is a very important topic and the fact that the author has bravely introduced much needed talking points on the subject … I am rounding up to 4*

Introduction: Strangers Among Us

Part 1: Strangers and Scapegoats in Sociological Perspective
1. Constructing Identity: The Self, the Social, and the Stranger
2. A Stranger World: In-groups, Out-group, and the Space Between
3. No More Scapegoats: A Stranger Theology

Part 2: Strangers in the Margins
4. Strangers in the Pew: Girls and Symbolic Exclusion
5. From Stranger to Neighbor: Intersex Persons and the Church
6. Strangers at the Borders: Immigrants and the Heart of the Gospel Message
7. Strangers Behind Bars: Examining the System of Mass Incarceration
8. Competing in Cedar: Nike, Superstar Athletes, and the Unseen Strangers Who Make Our Shoes

Part 3: Inviting Strangers
9. Challenging the Normal: The Strange(r) Reality of the Gospel
10. Pursuing the Common Good: Three Stories of the Neighbor

I was given this free advance review copy (ARC) ebook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

#StrangersAndScapegoats #NetGalley.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Holiness, it seems, is a quality most evident in lives spent pouring out hospitality on strangers and others on the margins, a quality unlikely to emerge in a life spent fortifying the boundaries between self and others. Oddly, holiness eludes the one who avoids contact with sinners and strangers. One is not holy, or 'set apart' by setting oneself apart from others. The one truly 'set apart' is the one 'a part' of the lives of strangers." -Vos

Vos exposes our struggle to truly see the stranger and calls his readers to actively engage in change that's probably uncomfortable and uncool. A book I wanted to own so I could underline because it's a book to make you think and act. Knowing the author, he may not be a wild-eyed locust eater, but he does endeavor to live honestly and with authenticity.

My actual rating is closer to a 4.5, just a couple chapters that drag a bit. However, this isn't just another blog become book or a quick status pursuit. Vos is the real deal.

[Abigail Cargo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an important book that fits a specific audience but is accessible to a lot of readers. Dr. Vos combines compelling logic, social thought, and theology to make the argument that strangers are a necessary part of society, always among us but Christians form "in groups" to isolate the stranger.
Although sometimes it's hard to make the jump between his personal examples and the concepts they illustrate (like going from social psychology to seinfeld to church denominations—it's almost like a Sociology class ;) ), the book still keeps readers engaged.

[Kedric Webster · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent and very much needed book, especially in light of our current divisions, when it comes to interaction of religion and public life. More public life should feature the theme of welcome and hospitality, rather than passing laws.

[Chris Hatch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish ever American pastor/ministry leader would read this book!

Vos is a Christian sociologist (no, that’s not an oxymoron) who opens our eyes to the way we often “other” those who aren’t like us