Agents of Grace: How to Bridge Divides and Love as Jesus Loved

by Daniel Darling, J.D. Greear (Foreword)

Political division. Racial tension. Vaccine wars. In Agents of Grace , award-winning writer, journalist, and podcast host Daniel Darling equips us to discern what's worth fighting for, how to move beyond our profound disagreements, and how to live as agents of Jesus's love. When Daniel Darling was fired as spokesperson for the National Religious Broadcasters Association, it wasn't his exit that made national news--it was the way he handled it. Daniel's charitable response to those he had worked with was so radical that it made headlines. But why has kindness among Christians become so startling? In Agents of Grace , Daniel explores practical ways we can follow the Bible's command to "strive actively for peace" even in a painfully divided church, country, and world. On a very personal level, he helps us climb out of cynicism about how the people of God treat each other, especially when we are trying to heal from such pain in our own lives. Beautifully written, Agents of Grace draws on modern-day examples and biblical truths to In this hope-filled book, Daniel issues a clarion call to live as bridgebuilders in a divided country, healers in a hurting church, and countercultural Jesus-followers in a world that needs to know God's love.

Genres: Spirituality, Theology, Faith, Religion, Nonfiction, Christian

224 pages, Paperback

Published May 9, 2023

About the author

Daniel Darling is an author, pastor and Christian leader. He currently serves as the Director of The Land Center for Cultural Engagement at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Assistant Professor of Faith and Culture at Texas Baptist College.

Prior to his leadership of the Land Center, Darling served as the Senior Vice President for Communications of the National Religious Broadcasters. He also has served the Southern Baptist Convention as the Vice President of Communications at the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. He has also pastored churches in Illinois and Tennessee.

Reviews

[Christian Shelves · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book first captured my attention due to the author's fairly public dismissal from his place of employment and his response to this departure; however, the content becomes about so much more than that. In reflecting upon recent events, I can see the parallels between what Daniel Darling faced from fellow believers during the pandemic and what we as Christians could be experiencing in society today. How do we respond when we perceive injustice? What happens when we feel divided from our brothers and sisters in Christ? What is worth fighting for as a Christian, and what are things where we need to seek the peace of Christ instead? Covering what the author labels as worthy virtues, such as love, forgiveness, and humility, we can discover what it means to be gracious in our approach toward others and in our responses to a fallen and broken world.

Though there are a few authors quoted whom I don't normally read and some political discussions that don't resonate with me as a Canadian Christian, the bulk of this book is insightful and practical, offering hope when interpersonal relations may seem insurmountable. A beneficial chapter that still stands out to me is “Nation, Tribe, and Tongue,” where there is a thoughtful and reasoned perspective on how we can treat others who look different than us, acknowledging painful racial realities while pointing to the diversity of heaven. Readers interested in addressing the many things that can divide us as Christians will find this book to be a helpful resource and an encouraging call to act as agents of grace.

(As I share this book, please note that I am not endorsing the author's own personal views, only the content in this book regarding differences of opinion and theology.)

Review link: https://christianshelves.blogspot.com...

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing earth-shattering, but solid, consistent reminders of how to “live at peace” in various realms of our Christian walk.

[Nancy Mcclenathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short book by Daniel Darling is a very timely guide on how to be “Agents of grace.” Today’s society is filled with hate, intolerance and anger and the author shows us a way for us to show love, tolerance and forgiveness as a Christian to our fellow humans. If we all would follow his suggestions, this country would be a kinder, happier place.


Thank you for sending me the book to review. i will share this book with as many people as I can because I feel that it can be life changing.

[Jeff Bobin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent resource for thinking about bridging broken relationships and the challenge of creating new relationships with people that are different than us. Writing from his own brokenness there are examples of how to work though those difficult times.

Toward the end there feels like an attempt to hold onto an old audience that makes that section weak.

[Theresa LeBlanc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

This goes in my Keepers collection. Such a powerful, beautiful book. Packed with scripture & solid Biblical teaching. Everyone ought to read this book!

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent & very challenging read, especially for a Christ follower.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Timely encouragement to strive for unity in the Spirit and a bond peace.

[Renee Haug · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have been hurt by the church, this book will be so helpful to deal with the hurt and remain a faithful Christ follower, known for love and grace instead of bitterness and anger.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for handling coexisting within a divided world. Daniel
Darling refers to biblical principles as guidance.

[Don Harton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is challenging. And man oh man don’t we need to build bridges today!

Must admit I was a little put off by the JD Greear intro, since I had just read what I thought was an unnecessarily harsh op-ed by Greear on Andy Stanley. Seemed Greear was saying one thing and doing another.

Does that draw me into the same loop? Wow, what grief we can cause when we don’t sit at the table to one another with one another - and build bridges. Forgive me.