Worth Fighting For: Finding Courage and Compassion When Cruelty Is Trending

by John Pavlovitz

John Pavlovitz has inspired millions to keep boldly loving both neighbors and strangers throughout the years of Trump’s hate-mongering campaign and presidency and continues to be a voice of sanity and urgency when so much is still at stake. It’s a scary time for America, with rights for women and transgender people being rolled back, the truth about Black history and experience being silenced, and unrestricted gun violence on the rise. People who value inclusion, compassion, and the common good are understandably anxious and angry―but we can’t give up hope. We need motivation to keep fighting for justice. This inspiring volume features Pavlovitz’s most important writing from the past several years alongside brand-new essays to provide the encouragement, stamina, and direction we need to keep going, even when things feel bleak.

Genres: Nonfiction, Religion, Politics, Christian, Spirituality, Self Help, Memoir

1 pages, Audio CD

Published April 2, 2024

About the author

John Pavlovitz is an American Unitarian pastor and author, known for his social and political writings from a post modern Unitarian universalist perspective.

Reviews

[Carmel Hanes · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you know of Pavlovitz and hate his social media messages, this book will probably anger you. Chances are you would never pick it up or be open to anything he suggests. There's nothing subtle or gentle in his thoughts about where our culture has evolved, and his dissection of the influences affecting that evolution (devolution?). But I've been captivated by his thoughts and messages and was eager to read this collection. I was not disappointed.

My own faith journey has been bumpy, and has resulted in embracing the spiritual while avoiding "organized religion". What Pavlovitz outlines in his own journey resonated completely, and it is comforting to see that others have struggled with the same issues I have. This is unstable ground and potholes exist all over the place in trying to find a way across divides.

"Real diversity needs to be a nonnegotiable of the movement we're building together, but it's never accomplished without intention, self-examination, and brutal honesty about ourselves at every given moment. These things are difficult to manage individually or in the context of a marriage family, or friendship, let alone in an ever-changing group of irregular people seeking to be in community with one another."

Pavlovitz advocates for, and tries hard to achieve, an understanding and acceptance across that divide (even if imperfectly executed on a day to day, moment to moment basis). He understands (and gives credit to) the belief that we all think we are "right" and have reasons for what we believe, and it's acceptance of that that we can bring to the table to try to find common ground and solutions rather than build silos and walls and throw away important relationships or demonize others. Distilling down his message, it is one of love and acceptance and care over fear and hate and dismissal. That said, he also advocates standing up for the marginalized when it's called for.

His thoughts are both complex and simple. Simple in orientation, complex in follow-through. I found myself wondering if he'd been living inside my head being privy to many of my questions and struggles and beliefs and wishes. While his book focuses on what disturbs and angers him about our current cultural wars, his overall message is one of trying harder to mend this rift and find peace and acceptance and ultimately "doing what Jesus would do". That message speaks to me.

[Priscilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Westminster John Knox Press for this Advanced Reader’s Copy of Worth Fighting For by John Pavlovitz due to be published April 2, 2024.
Worth Fighting For is outside my normal genre of thriller, but I thought it sounded interesting, and it was!
We are not only a divided America, but a rude and mean and hateful America. It is a scary time when rights for women, blacks, LGTB, and transgender people being taken away. John Pavlovitz tells us we need motivation within ourselves to keep fighting for justice.
As the mother of a gay son, I have always fought for rights for him and others. His advice is simple and straightforward – wake up every day and choose to be happy. Fight for the rights of others. Work for justice and be outraged when it is denied. Surround yourself with positive people. Never get comfortable with cruelty and brutality. Love is the greatest weapon we have in the face of fear.
This was such a wonderful book that everyone should read – he says that if every American lived and treated each other equally we would live in such a more peaceful world where everyone was kind to others and tolerant of others’ beliefs. Is it too farfetched? John Pavlovitz encourages all to try.
I highly recommend this book!
#NetGalley #JohnPavlovitz #WestminsterJohnKnoxPress #Worth Fighting For

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a retired UCC licensed pastor who now has much difficulty with most organized religion. I am a fan of John Pavlovitz and find his theology to be straightforward and compatible with my own beliefs. I think that many people would find this book to be both educational and hopeful. I'm very grateful to #NetGalley and #WestminsterJohnKnox for the ARC

[Richard Propes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you love John Pavlovitz?

Then, it's pretty clear you'll find much to love about Pavlovitz's "Worth Fighting For: Finding Courage and Compassion When Cruelty is Trending."

Are you on the other side of the fence? You really kind of can't stand the guy? "Worth Fighting For" isn't going to change your mind.

"Worth Fighting For" is a relatively brief yet meaningful collection of Pavlovitz essays past and present. It's a collection that could easily be said to feature Pavlovitz's most important writing from the past several years along with some new essays. You'll get the Pavlovitz we've always known - bold yet empathetic, angry yet hopeful, and fiercely opinionated yet open-minded.

While there's little denying that "Worth Fighting For" finds much of its thematic inspiration from "the years of Trump's hate-mongering campaign and presidency," Pavlovitz is is more concerned with inspiring us to love our neighbors and strangers than he is going on an actual attack.

As a Christian writer who leans toward the progressive end of Christianity, there's absolutely no denying that those who flat-out dismiss progressive Christianity won't find much to appreciate here as Pavlovitz laments the rolling back of rights for women and transgender people, grieves discussions about Black history being silenced, and expresses more than a little concern about the rise of gun violence.

In other words, this is John Pavlovitz being John Pavlovitz.

For those who follow Pavlovitz regularly, there are pieces of "Worth Fighting For" that will be familiar given the presence of past essays and writings. However, "Worth Fighting For" assembles them all beautifully and the entire collection builds into a hopeful and encouraging collection for those seeking to find courage and compassion during this time when it often seems like cruelty is not only trendy but actually rewarding.

At less than 200 pages, "Worth Fighting For" is a fairly breezy yet substantial read that I had little difficulty reading within a 24-hour period. Engaging and enlightening, "Worth Fighting For" is a reminder that all of us are, in fact, worth fighting for even when it feels hopeless.

[Katrece Nelson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Writing a book about finding compassion and then immediately jumping into the blame game seemed a bit hypocritical. He blames Trump for ALL of the WORLD'S issues.

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Note: Thank you to NetGalley, Westminster John Knox Press, and John Pavlovitz for the advanced reader copy of the book. This review will also be posted on NetGalley. What follows is my unbiased review of the book.

I’ve followed John Pavlovitz for many years on social media, and read a few of his books. In many ways, he is a breath of fresh air in the religious landscape. As a progressive Christian, I’ve struggled over the years with the version of Christianity the media pushes to the forefront. It does not represent what I believe. It does not represent the Church I knew growing up. Worth Fighting For is a book for those of us who are among the faithful who have felt the disillusionment of organized religion over the years, especially in the last eight years or so. I highly recommend it to people who are struggling with their faith and feel that there is no place for them in the church in this country.

The world can use more tender-hearted humans, doing what they can to live selflessly, gently, and focused on others – and that’s probably the highest spiritual aspiration we can have: leaving people more loved than we found them.

I immediately felt heard in this book. Having been active politically since I was young, I have felt tired and burned out over the last decade. Pavlovitz gets to the heart of that feeling. He tells me it’s okay to feel that way and it’s okay to need a rest from all of the hatred that seems to permeate our lives these days.

To read my full review, please go to Worth Fighting For: Finding Courage & Compassion When Cruelty is Trending by John Pavlovitz – He Gets Us

[Tanja Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Pavlovitz gives words to my frustration at the dehumanizing trend in this country, thanks to MAGAs and “Christian” Nationalism. I put “Christian” in quotes because they worship a white American Jesus who never existed, not the Middle Eastern Jewish Jesus who told us to love ALL our neighbors as ourselves. He also gives words of hope and encouragement to keep fighting the good fight toward equality toward all and opening the table not only to people of color, LGBTQ persons, those with disabilities, and so forth, but to give them a real voice to drown out those who would silence and marginalize them. 💙💙💙

[KayG · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant! He took many topics with which I’ve struggled and put them into a quiet and common sense narrative. I am distressed at how much hatred is vocalized in our country these days. I am especially troubled by people who I know and I’ve loved for years, but who now parrot talking points of hatred and intolerance. This book helped, and I appreciate that. It was a quick and comforting read.

Netgalley

[Beth Underwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Hope isn't rational, but it's the only way forward."

This book, along with all of John's writing, gives me hope that I am not alone and that there are enough of us out there to put up a fight.

[Kelly Green Hicks (kelly's bookish world) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worth Fighting For: Finding Courage and Compassion While Cruelty is Trending by John Pavlovitz is a collection of essays that addresses so many of the issues that we have been dealing with for the past eight years. Pavlovitz is a progessive pastor that I wish I could sit under. His books are so articulate and make me feel like I am not alone. Highly recommend!

Thanks to NetGalley and Westminster John Knox Press for the advanced digital copy of the book.

[Jeremy Garber · Rating 3 out of 5]

This advance readers copy was provided to me by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

One of the saddest things in my life is that I am a professional theologian and a regular churchgoer, and I know that if I see the word “Christian” on something, I am more than likely going to hate it. Christian music, Christian film and TV, Christian board games – if it’s labeled explicitly Christian, it will be at odds with my theology and my experience of Jesus. John Pavlovitz feels the same way.

Pavlovitz was a youth pastor and church leader for over twenty years until he was let go from his church for supporting LGBTQ rights. Since then he has become an influential blogger and speaker around the country supporting a progressive Christian theology. (Or, as he quotes one of his speaking partners in the book, “Progressive Christian theology is just Christian theology, period.”) This book is a collection of his blogs supporting progressive Christians in Trumpian times, both to be courageous about standing up for justice and to listen to the other side and the pain they are coming from.

That dual impulse is at the heart of Pavlovitz’s ambivalence about this whole project – and mine. Pavlovitz is at his best when he recognizes the fear and the honest devotion of the Christians who are marching against abortion, queer rights, and women’s right to preach. He is at his worst when he gets super worked up and demonizes those same folks in anger. To Pavolvitz’s credit, he recognizes this latter impulse as unproductive. But he still indulges it anyway. This is a book of blog posts that were written and posted in the same day. And it reads that way.

To be incredibly clear, John Pavlovitz and I are super on the same side. Women have a right to decide what they do with their bodies, including abortion. LGBTQIA+ people are beloved children of God just the same as any other human being, including being leaders in and out of the church. And Christian nationalism is a heretical abomination both to the gospel of Christ and to American democracy. But we Christians are called to the higher road. To love our enemies without agreeing with them, as Genesis Be does in a powerful story in the essay “Be Brave.” To listen to folks who voted for Trump out of their Christian conviction and tell our story courageously back, as in “Sitting with Stories.” We will win our way through this terrifying split in American culture by living in hope, standing in courage, and listening with love. Take those parts of Pavolvitz’s book and Jesus’ message, and maybe we’ll all get through this all right.

[Conrade Yap · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has been said that "No news is good news." This is obvious when we read the news today. On every page we turn, chances are, there is more bad news than anything else. From the poverty and homelessness crisis to global-warming; corruption to leadership scandals; rising inflation to unemployment; political turmoil and wars; social uprising and injustice; wherever one turns, the world seems to be getting from bad to worse. This world is broken. Systems are broken. People are broken. Everything is broken. No wonder many people are feeling more helpless and hopeless than ever before. Worse, people are turning from sympathy to lethargy to apathy. If a broken world remains unfixed, it will not be fixed. For all the talk about goodness and love, author John Pavlovitz writes that "Love isn’t real until it moves from aspiration to incarnation." We need action that speaks louder than words. Using a metaphor of the car warning lights, Pavlovitz urges us to use despair as the impetus for action. Our actions include attention to mental health matters; creating a safe space for people to share their struggles; encouraging empathy toward the vulnerable; harnessing righteous anger; resisting the tendency toward depression; cultivating good attitudes like gratitude, rest, joy, and simply being well. Fellowship with people who give us hope. Adopt faith over fear. Move beyond mere niceness.

Yet from time to time, we hear words that highlight sarcasm, skepticism, and various types of indifference. This is especially so in an age of social media where people are constantly divided over all kinds of issues that range from politics to societal preferences. What is lacking is relational stability and efforts to build bridges instead of walls. Pavlovitz gives several suggestions:

- Learning to love a broken world
- How to talk without about our religious beliefs
- Correcting erroneous assumptions like "opposing hate does not make me hateful"
- Resisting tribalism
- Listening respectfully to people's stories
- etc.

The author then makes a case for "progressive Christianity" and "Theological Humility." For those holding firm convictions, make room for alternative viewpoints. For those who are doubtful about Christianity, learn not to just look at the bad but to remember the good. For those disillusioned with Church, learn not to jettison one's faith based on any bad experiences. For those fighting racial discrimination and injustices of all kinds, think about humanity and what Jesus would do. Whatever it is, life is worth fighting for. That is why we need to keep doing the right thing whenever we can.

My Thoughts
==========
Here are my three thoughts about this book.

First, it is essentially an extension of Pavlovitz's earlier book entitled, "A Bigger Table." It applies what it means to create a bigger table for all regardless of political affiliations, religious persuasions, or lifestyle preferences. The key theme is to call to love with action. It is not enough to hold up a placard that says "Love Wins" or to tweet "Let us just love." We need to create a space big enough for all to communicate and to learn to live together despite our differences. Focus less on differences but more on commonalities such as humanity, society's goals, and general goodness for all. Create an atmosphere marked by hope and positive goodwill. This calls for action to minimize the bad and to elevate the good. This is all about setting a bigger table for everyone to live in.

My second thought is in the form of a question: "Will it work?" In a world that is so diverse and divided, will Pavlovitz's prescription work? The author brings up the political problem of MAGA, and mentions the mental health crisis in the same breath. The problem is that MAGA is way larger than a mental health crisis. It is essentially a reactive culture against everything people are unhappy about, namely bread-and-butter issues such as the housing crisis, inflation, insecurity over one's future, low wages, unemployment, etc. How can one translate the act of love to address these issues? Love in action can only go so far. Whatever Pavlovitz is prescribing needs to be accompanied by macro-economics and courageous leadership. Setting a larger table is just the start. What then do we do at the table? We need to be ready for all kinds of behaviours and reactions. The author might have anticipated that which is probably the reason for his chapter "The Limits of Welcome" which bars bigots and extremists from participation. The chapter on "How to deal with toxic people" partially addresses this. Will Pavlovitz's call work? My head says "yes" but my heart tilts "no." The positive side is that this book opens up a path for useful conversations.

Third, the biggest reason to read this book is about putting action into words. Pavlovitz is spot on when he observes how many people talk more than they walk. This world is broken but as long as we continue to do all the good we can, we can make it less broken. This is an uphill task that will take a long time to heal. While that might seem like a long shot, it is still a worthwhile shot to make. In the author's words, this is certainly a battle that is worth fighting for. There are many fronts to fight and Pavlovitz has listed many of them throughout the book. For the exhausted, he urges them to keep going. For those of us sick of hearing bad news, consider just switching off our TV or to stop browsing the Internet. Distinguish between patriotism and nationalism. On the pro-life and pro-choice issue, try to de-politicize it. On gender matters, avoid dehumanizing anyone based on one's stand.

This is a needed book to address the deep divisions happening all over America.

John Pavlovitz is a writer, pastor, activist, and storyteller from Wake Forest, North Carolina. Over the past decade, his thought-provoking blog, Stuff That Needs to Be Said, has reached a diverse worldwide audience with over one hundred million views. A twenty-five-year veteran in the trenches of local church ministry, Pavlovitz is committed to equality, diversity, and justice―both inside and outside faith communities. His books include A Bigger Table, Stuff That Needs to Be Said, and If God Is Love, Don't Be a Jerk. He currently directs Empathetic People Network, a vibrant online community that connects people from all over the world who want to create a more compassionate planet.

Rating: 4 stars out of 5.

conrade
This book has been provided courtesy of Westminster John Knox Press via NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

[Tiffany Eller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish everyone would read this book with an open heart. John, you are the writer, artist, and warrior lover I am grateful for today. Thank you.

[Ivonne Rovira · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can’t go wrong with John Pavlovitz. Pastor, author, introspective human, Pavlovitz always has his finger on the pulse of progressive Christians and their challenges. I loved A Bigger Table, Expanded Edition with Study Guide: Building Messy, Authentic, and Hopeful Spiritual Community and If God Is Love, Don't Be a Jerk: Finding a Faith That Makes Us Better Humans, and Worth Fighting For live up to those same standards.

A Gospel of joy, compassion and generosity is worth fighting for, and Pavlovitz makes the case for that. But he also emphasizes that it’s worth fighting for the most disenfranchised, for those who are sick or hungry or immigrants, for reaching out to those who are well-meaning and willing to make common cause, and for our mental health in these dark and cruel times. My favorite part is when Pavlovitz reminded us that John 3:16 talks about how God so loved the world — not the United States, not the affluent, not the white middle class, not the respectable, but all the world, even those being dehumanized. What a timely reminder! I couldn’t recommend this book more!

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Westminster John Knox Press in exchange for an honest review.

[Julie Witt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read by John Pavlovitz, but after reading the synopsis, I felt like it was just the thing I needed, and I wasn't wrong. For anybody who is alarmed at the direction politics are taking in the US, with the enmity and divisiveness and the attacks on the rights of women, minorities and LGBTQ+ people, this is the book for you, too. While acknowledging all of that, and more, the message John Pavlovitz gets across is that there is still hope, and that kindness and faith will go a long way towards learning how to look at things in a more positive light. It's not a saccharine message, but is more encouraging, and this book, told in small essays, helps you figure out where to start, and how to approach different situations in a kinder, more accepting way. Does it tell you how to change people's opinions and personal beliefs? No. But it does give you advice on how to avoid the pitfalls and negativity that strong opinions sometimes stir up. I, personally, have become so skeptical of anything labeled "Christian" that I feel like I immediately go on the defensive when confronted with it, and this author has given me ways to stop doing that, to know which battles and situations are worth it, and which are best avoided, without preaching at the reader (pardon the pun).

This was a very quick read at only 176 pages, and definitely worth your time if you want to take a step back, ditch the stress, and just breathe.

5/5 stars.

*** I would like to thank NetGalley, Westminster John Knox Press, and John Pavlovitz for the opportunity to read and review Worth Fighting For.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many people may feel overwhelmed and defeated by the current situation. Pavlovitz reminds us there is much worth fighting for. Each of us still has great agency in the decisions we make and the way we use our time and resources.

Pavlovitz is not shy in his opinions. He'll irritate evangelical Christians I am sure with his view that the GOP is unwell and our leaders in the U.S. are really unwell. He is sickened by this thing called Christianity and says Jesus would be horrified by it. (73) Pavlovitz is more concerned with people being loved and getting the help they need than he is about right doctrine. The way you treat others, he says, is the only meaningful expression of your belief system. (62) “[Love] is still the antidote to all that afflicts us.” (61) He encourages us to do the difficult work of loving the people we dislike. (44)

I appreciate this collection of short essays Pavlovitz has written on a variety of subjects. While I do not agree with all he says, I found his writings thought provoking and a wake up call to those of us calling ourselves Christians. He encourages us to be Christlike, being the best people we can possibly be. This is a book offering hope to those who feel hopeless.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

[Madeline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't recall how I initially came across John Pavlovitz's writing, but I'm certainly glad I did. I first read "If God Is Love, Don't Be A Jerk" in 2022--a five star read for me. I followed it up with purchasing his Lenten devotional guide. Both texts were immensely helpful in dissecting and interrogating the faith and traditions I was raised in after placing spirituality on the backburner, and viewing my faith through the "god of love" lens.

Here, Pavlovitz tackles many timely subjects from the past several years, including the rise of anti-semitism, the rollback of human rights, the effects of the Trump president, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the individualistic and polar society we find ourselves in 2024. There are many gems in here and I will likely revisit when I need reminding of the power of hope and the activist heart of Jesus.

My only critique is this reads like blog posts and I think a different structure would have been beneficial.

"Love has never won because it's gone unopposed. It's won because it is a persistent, stubborn son of a bitch that believes that people are worth fighting for, bleeding for, waiting for, sacrificing for."

I am grateful for the free ARC PDF copy that was provided to me by NetGalley and Westminster John Knox Press. All opinions are my own.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Those who follow Pavlovitz's blog or twitter posts or who have read his previous books will not be surprised at this collection of essays that decry the meanspiritedness and spite that seem to have taken over much of our popular culture and social media.

He has harsh words for those who use Christianity to bludgeon marginalized groups and questions the value of current organized Christianity. Pavlovitz observes that we are sick as a country, a condition that is capitalized on by opportunistic politicians. He expresses dismay at the loss of our rights and argues that righteous anger, as modeled by Jesus, is to be valued and used to fuel change.

Pavlovitz speaks for many of in our society, who have watched with alarm the deterioration of American discourse as cruelty has replaced compassion, and those who aspire to social justice.

A strong read for those open to its message, which is ultimately hopeful.

Full Disclosure--NetGalley and the publisher provided me with a digital ARC of this book. This is my honest review.

[Diane Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Westminster John Knox Press for the advance electronic copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.

When I first saw this book, I thought the author was someone else. Then I realized I had actually read a book of his before, a Lenten devotional. In any event, reading it was like a sermon a day. And it was really nice to read such a sermon from a minister on the same page as myself and those with whom I attend both church and temple. In these days of "Christian" becoming a word laden with hypocrisy, it is a relief to find a Christian pastor preaching about social justice and equality and truly making the effort to live by such concepts as Love thy neighbor.

I was, in fact, so happy with the sentiments expressed in this book that I went out and bought another book by the author!

[Karna Bosman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to make the world a better place. Pavlovitz speaks to our frustrations and anger while reminding us that we have the power to create change and find joy, even when things seem chaotic. He encourages us to commit to happiness, fight for justice, stay angry at injustice, surround ourselves with positivity, and never accept cruelty as normal. Love and acceptance are our most potent weapons against fear and hate. He challenges us to see things from different perspectives, reject division, and build connections instead of barriers. This book is a powerful reminder to stand up for the marginalized and to live with compassion and empathy. It's a call to rise above our differences and choose kindness, justice, and understanding in a world that needs them more than ever.

[Ellie Hawley · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Worth Fighting For" is a relatively brief yet meaningful collection of Pavlovitz essays past and present. It's a collection that could easily be said to feature Pavlovitz's most important writing from the past several years along with some new essays. You'll get the Pavlovitz we've always known - bold yet empathetic, angry yet hopeful, and fiercely opinionated yet open-minded.

While there's little denying that "Worth Fighting For" finds much of its thematic inspiration from "the years of Trump's hate-mongering campaign and presidency," Pavlovitz is is more concerned with inspiring us to love our neighbors and strangers than he is going on an actual attack.

[Joan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received this book free from Netgalley in return for an honest review. I had to force myself to continue reading it after the first chapter or so. The author’s own words contradict his obvious thoughts and feelings. He started with a blatant political bias and distorted facts throughout to preach a superficial “love your neighbor” message that actually was a thinly-disguised“approve and affirm every attitude and action in the name of love” doctrine, which is contradictory to Biblical teaching. I find it hard to imagine that any thinking person can draw some of the conclusions he drew from actions of people he was obviously predisposed to dislike and find fault with.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know when John Pavlovitz became the pastor that so many of us across the US need ... but he did. His gentle, thoughtful essays that remind us across a variety of subjects that we need to remain hopeful and encouraged never fail to inspire.

This latest book talks about ways to stay focused in the face of political and religious abuses by people claiming to act in the name of Jesus but behaving in ways that are antithetical to what Rabbi Yeshua actually taught. Pavlovitz talks to us all as friends, a community of damn-givers, and gives us food for thought and action at the end of each section.

Highly recommended.

[Jan Bloxham · Rating 3 out of 5]

This progressive, compassionate pastor's support and advice regarding trending cruelty in the USA will be valuable to lovers of JESUS and anyone able to ignore the religious delusions.

It's curious: twice in the book he points out that people are just products of their genes and circumstances, nature and nurture, and advises we sympathise with people convinced they are doing the right thing, even when they are vile.

Imagine if he took that logic just one step further and deduced that his own faith is no more than a result of the culture he was arbitrarily born into, the indoctrination he was arbitrarily subjected to. But no.

Fascinating.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection of Pavlovitz’s writings (with a few new essays) from the past few years are well written and well-conceived. In my case, he was preaching to the choir. I pray, though, that this book can reach those who have a chance of being converted by his logic and by the truth he speaks.

These essays are both timely and they address important issues, as well. In the current fraught political climate, Pavlovitz addresses ways to remain true to the Christian faith while reminding us of what is worth fighting for—the very future of the world we hope to live in.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worth Fighting For is a collection of essays that may light a fire under some people, or it might just let them know they are not alone in feeling like it's hard to keep loving our neighbors when there's so much anger and hatred out there.

John Pavlovitz is one of the most positive people, even in the face of all that has been happening. He is a progressive Christian and proud of it.
I felt like he was preaching to the choir, but I hope all kinds of people will pick up this book.

My thanks to NetGalley and Westminster John Knox Press for the DRC in exchange for an honest review.

[Judy Egnew Ness · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be just the support I needed at the start of a new year, a year that looks like it will be so challenging. My courage and compassion took a hit with the cruelty expressed by national and religious leaders in the past year, and I had begun feeling depressed and hopeless. This book offered hope, compassion, words of wisdom, and courage to continue working toward a better world. The "Training Sessions" boxes at the end of each section helped me clarify my thinking and decide on practical responses to face (and help others face) challenging and troubled times.

[Kristy Pinkley · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are a fan of John Pavlovitz, you will enjoy reading this. You will also recognize some of the writings that were previously released. You get new writings as well. If you aren't compatible with his belief system, like supporting LGBTQ+ rights, this might not be the one for you. Then again, getting another perspective can be eye opening.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for advanced copy, and I give my review freely

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very angry, which helped energize me a little occasionally, but also just hurt my heart more sometimes. I appreciate knowing I am not alone, and I agree we must fight for the marginalized, but I am just so tired right now of anger and division. Maybe it was just the wrong season for me. Pavlovitz argues we must not weary of fighting, but I just don't seem to be able to summon up much but weariness today.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Are you looking for a way to get your positive outlook back in this time of super hate and diversion? Well, if you, then you should pick this book up. I found it helpful and encouraging. We need to get back to the talk to your neighbors and respect each other way of life. This book, can help you rest your mind and be the one who starts it.