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

In this earnest entry, pastor Darling (Spiritual Gifts) issues a “plea from one Christian to another” to surmount social divisions and “cling to what unites us”: Jesus’s command to love one another. After he was fired from a ministry position for endorsing the Covid-19 vaccine, Darling reassessed the political and religious forces that polarize believers, concluding that Christian “spiritual unity” was more essential than ever. The goal of broader Christian harmony isn’t “plain vanilla sameness” he stresses, and it’s especially important to accept those of all denominations in order to celebrate “the rich diversity of the body of Christ.” To build bridges, he urges readers to practice forgiveness; steer clear of “raw ambition,” which erodes humility; and avoid cynicism, which can blind believers to the “work the Spirit of God is doing” in the world. He discusses why it’s important to wade into “worthy fights,” namely that political discussions can be valuable because they bring up ethical questions—but only to a point, as Christians should remember their foremost allegiance is to Jesus, not a political party. While Darling’s insights about cultural division aren’t new, his practical advice—respect differences rather than ignoring them, know when to engage and when to hold back—is sensible and delivered with optimism. Those looking for common ground with other believers will find this a useful place to start. (May)