The thesis itself— that racial discrimination leads to racist ideas leads to ignorance and hate seems counterintuitive at first, but the author provesThe thesis itself— that racial discrimination leads to racist ideas leads to ignorance and hate seems counterintuitive at first, but the author proves his thesis over the 500+ pages of the book. It was an eye-opener for me as a white conservative. I used to think being “color-blind” was a commendable goal. But I understand that to turn a blind eye to racial differences is to discount the contribution that people of color make to culture. I also understand that I’ve tacitly approved of/sought assimilation— that I’m way more comfortable around people of color who “act white.” I say this as a confession. I am sorry for the unfair pressure that puts on African Americans. When I go to Africa, i don’t think anyone expects me to “act black” in order for them to accept me more.
As for the book— the conceit of having a “tour guide” for five different epochs of American history wasn’t very well executed. It was probably strongest in the William Lloyd Garrison and WEB DuBois sections But the Cotton Mather section didn’t focus much on Cotton Mather, and the Angela Davis section likewise told me very little about Angela Davis. And Thomas Jefferson as “tour guide” for the history of racist ideas didn’t make any sense to me.
I’m a Southern Baptist pastor, and we just had our convention where we had lots of discussion as to whether Critical Race Theory as a legitimate tool for understanding culture. After reading “Stamped,” I don’t see how we can’t. ...more
It’s actually a lot more even handed than I thought it would be. It avoids a lot of the tabloid headlines. I’m pretty sure Omorosa and Stormy Daniels It’s actually a lot more even handed than I thought it would be. It avoids a lot of the tabloid headlines. I’m pretty sure Omorosa and Stormy Daniels are never mentioned, and it ends with a strong argument that Mueller doesn’t have a strong case and really wants to get Trump to perjure himself because that’s all he has. Of course, this is all coming from trump’s legal team and not any conclusions Woodward reaches himself. This is almost pure reporting without analysis. Woodward records what people said, not what he thinks about what people said. And it’s devastating. ...more
This was the September freebie from Christian Audio. It is a cheesy story about the author supposedly encountering someone about to jump off the GoldeThis was the September freebie from Christian Audio. It is a cheesy story about the author supposedly encountering someone about to jump off the Golden Gate Bridge, then leading him to Jesus, and then less than 24 hours later. saying stuff like “Hey, a website where I can watch Christian movies for free? Wow! Thanks!!!” My biggest problem is that nowhere does the author actually say “This never really happened.” If he had, he might (emphasis on might) have gotten two stars instead of one. Here are the biggest problems I had with the book, other than the disingenuousness of it, and the fact that it is just poor writing:
1. Not all depression leads to suicide. 2. Not all who suffer from depression and suicidal thoughts are non Christians. The author seems to think that someone could be talked off the ledge simply by being convinced of the truth of Christianity. Nope. Uh uh. False. I don’t believe it would be true for an unbeliever, and it absolutely wouldn’t be true for a believer. 3. It’s irresponsible. For a book titled “How to battle depression and suicidal thoughts,” it would be a disservice to put this in the hands of someone who was ACTUALLY battling depression and suicidal thoughts. It was the equivalent of calling suicide prevention and being put on hold. ...more
This was a challenging book for me as a conservative pastor. I appreciate Caleb's story, and I am thankful for his testimony. And it isn't that I haveThis was a challenging book for me as a conservative pastor. I appreciate Caleb's story, and I am thankful for his testimony. And it isn't that I have a problem with loving members of the LGBT community without sacrificing conviction. It's that I haven't figured out how to do it yet in a way that they will believe I am actually loving them.
I know all about "hate the sin, love the sinner." Let's not go there, because most of my gay friends have a hard time believing I love them if I call who they are a sin. Sexuality is so wrapped up in identity that they literally cannot hear me say, "I love you, but I don't love what you are doing." Caleb does a better job with this than anyone I've read who takes the Bible at face value (without trying to make the argument that the Bible doesn't really mean what we've translated it to mean when it condemns same sex behavior). In fairness to the author, that is beyond the scope of his book. He is simply telling his story, and its a story conservatives need to hear. But we have to figure out how to engage in compassionate dialogue when we disagree on whether or not something is a sin. For me, it's like trying to have a conversation with someone who is absolutely convinced their gossiping is really just sharing prayer requests, or that their bigotry is really just a desire to preserve their southern heritage. I can love them, I can accept them, I can plead with them to change their minds, but if they don't see as sinful what I believe the Bible calls sinful, we get to the end of our conversation very quickly.
And when we are talking about someone's sexuality, it becomes an attack on a whole different level. Calling out gossiping or bigotry is calling out behavior. Calling out homosexuality, from the perspective of the gay or lesbian, is calling out identity.
The most helpful line in Caleb's book is that "God doesn't call us to make gay people straight. He calls us to help lost people be found by Jesus." Everything else is up to the sanctifying work of Christ. My prayer is that our churches will give all sinners a refuge and a haven for that sanctifying work to be done. And I fear the door won't be open (or even if it is, that members of the LGBT community will never walk through it) if we don't agree on what is sin and what isn't. ...more
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