The Church’s Mission in a Polarized World
“Christians and other people of good will are longing for a response that can lead the way out of the divisiveness and vitriol of our times. I wrote this book to provide some assistance to readers to discern a way out of the toxicity in which we live, and to stimulate courage and hope so that all people can see the age in which we live more clearly and respond with the grace necessary to follow more fully the call God has spoken―a missionary call to deepen Christ’s incarnational movement in our world.” Fr. Robert Aaron Wessman
From the book back cover:
In this hopeful and inspiring book, Fr. Wessman draws a clear connection between the Christian tradition of “crossing over” to encounter the “other” and the growing movement that tradition strengthens to bridge divides in our polarized world — even and especially when it scares us. — Mónica Guzmán, Senior Fellow for Public Practice at Braver Angels, Author of I Never Thought of It That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times
One of the clearest, deepest, most thoughtful and carefully researched interdisciplinary studies on polarization I have encountered. With deep respect for the power of language, Fr. Wessman’s skillful use of vivid images and metaphors carry the reader into a new capacity to grapple with some of the most difficult tensions of our times. A storyteller at heart, his profound engagement with religious and cultural witnesses of dialogue, interspersed with honest and even vulnerable “show don’t tell” personal examples encourage the reader to keep it real as one delves into the work needed to address divisive habits of thought and speech. This book would serve as an excellent and comprehensive text for college classes and for parish or community book clubs. His insightful interpretation of the ecclesial and cultural terrain not only generates more light than heat, but stands as a lighthouse for anyone looking for creative resources to both understand and meet this moment.- Amy Uelmen, Director for Mission and Ministry, Georgetown Law School
I appreciated the Christian perspective that Fr. Wessman brought to the issue of polarization. My relationship with Jesus Christ is the motivating factor that directs everything I do in life. There are too many Christians in my tribe who have bought into the idea that we are in a culture war fighting for the soul of our nation. I hope that I can help them see that if we truly want to follow Jesus then our mission in bridging the divides in our polarized world is not to fight a war but to “cross over,” as Fr. Wessman describes.