Mending the Divides: Creative Love in a Conflicted World

by Jon Huckins, Jer Swigart, Lynne Hybels (Foreword)

Christianity Today's 2018 Book of the Year Award of Merit - Mission/The Global Church Conflict, hatred, and injustice seem to be the norm rather than the exception in our world, our nation, our communities, our homes. The fractures and fissures run so deep that we're paralyzed by our hopelessness, writing off peace as a far-fetched option for the afterlife. Even if there was the possibility of peace, where would we begin? Instead of disengaging, Jon Huckins and Jer Swigart invite us to move toward conflict and brokenness, but not simply for the sake of resolving tensions and ending wars. These modern-day peacemakers help us understand that because peacemaking is the mission of God, it should also be the vocation of his people. So peace is no longer understood as merely the absence of conflict―peace is when relationships once severed have been repaired and restored. Using biblical and current-day illustrations of everyday peacemakers, Mending the Divides offers a theologically compelling, richly personal, and intensely practical set of tools that equip us to join God in the restoration of broken relationships, unjust systems, and global conflicts. 

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Religion, Christian Living, Discipleship, Christian Non Fiction, Faith

192 pages, Paperback

Published August 18, 2017

About the author

Jon Huckins is a pastor and the cofounding director of The Global Immersion Project, a peacemaking training organization helping individuals and communities move toward conflict equipped to heal rather than to win. After much international travel and study in the Middle East, Jon focuses his writing and speaking on peacemaking, local/global engagement, and activating the Church as an instrument of peace in our world. Jon has written for numerous publications including USAToday, Red Letter Christians, Sojourners, and RELEVANT. His books include Thin Places: Six Postures for Creating and Practicing Missional Community and Teaching Through the Art of Storytelling, and he is a contributing author to multiple books. Jon regularly speaks at churches, universities, and conferences and has a master’s degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in theology and ethics. He lives in San Diego with his wife, Jan, three daughters, and one son, where they colead an intentional Christian community seeking to live as a reconciling presence in their neighborhood of Golden Hill.

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick-read book that contains several good ideas and concept about peacemaking, wrapped up in “Christianese” and marred by some frustrating sections that seemed to center the narrative of the white authors more than it honored the stories of actual people involved in conflicts.

Frankly, I have very little time to entertain stories about a Westerner with zero training in mediation or international conflict resolution who “humbly” accepts the job of writing a peace accord between two warring Middle Eastern tribes after having landed in the country two weeks before. While I understand this is where one of the authors began his journey into peacemaking, and he has hopefully grown and changed since then, it was the kind of story that tends to amplify evangelical Christian fervor to be “world changers” who see themselves as hero(ine)s in conflicts they don’t understand - the great white problem solvers of the world, eagerly (but still humbly! so humbly!) accepting the task of “bringing peace” to all corners of the world. The inclusion of several stories that ran along these lines made me very uncomfortable.

However, this was not the entirety of this volume. Through the lens of their peacemaking framework - See, Immerse, Contend, Restore - the authors provide many examples and expositions, influenced by Scripture, that invite readers to consider ways they can become learners and move past their own biases and blind spots to truly see people around them, even those that land on the “other side” of conflicts or ideologies. And, to their credit, they do at the beginning of the book acknowledge their limitations and blind spots as authors due to their conservative, Midwestern, evangelical Christian upbringing and their identities as white, straight, middle-class men.

Takeaways:
(1) Pay attention to your own neighborhood, your own city. Who are those in need directly around you? Who have you been glossing over? Could you make a greater impact by simply slowing down, taking note of what’s around you, and opening up your own schedule and home than you could in conflicts on the other side of the world?
(2) Immersion - or, perhaps, “proximity” - is a necessary ingredient in this recipe. You cannot engage in peacemaking efforts or any kind of transformation (of yourself FIRST!) without getting close to someone or something and letting it spill into your life and begin to affect you. Immersion is mandatory.

3-stars because I felt the excessive use of Christianese limited the potential impact of this book and several sections furthered frustrating narratives about white centrality. But, beneath all of that, it’s also is an invitation for readers to consider how they can begin seeing the world around them through the lens of peacemaking. And that deserves a few stars.

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book comes with a little buzz and, despite a slow start, shows that it warrants it. While you might want to shelve it with social justice books, it does meet the author's suggestion “to engage the content of this book not solely through the lens of a 'justice genre' but through a whole new framework of life and discipleship we call everyday peacemaking.”

The book doesn't dwell too much on theology proper, but it does get into some, as when it tackles the practical effects of dispensationalism. Much of the teaching revolves around the parable of The Good Samaritan, a predictable but nevertheless insightful tack.

The process of thinking through peacemaking and trying to live it as a lifestyle (rather than, say, periodic short-term missions) leads the authors to a four-part process of seeing, immersing, contending, and restoring. The explanatory chapters for each of these elements contain memorable stories of peacemaking in action.

The authors say that they can't give precise steps because each situation is unique. Usually when I hear this, I feel like it's a cop-out, but in this case, it holds up primarily because the authors do provide concrete steps. Their suggestions for a timeline for action as well as the questions to ask yourself while dealing with interpersonal, local, or global issues all seem specific and highly useful.

In short, it's a solid, readable entry in a field that, increasingly, we should all be exploring.

[Based on a NetGalley copy.]

[Malinda Fugate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this as part of a book group, which added to the experience of the overall message. I really recommend reading this in community. The authors steadily balance concepts with practicality, as well equal parts narrative and discussion. They've given us a lot to think about as well as steps to take once you've turned the final page. You will walk away from this book with the heart of a peacemaker.

[Becky B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jon and Jer share how they got into being full time peacemakers, and provide anecdotes about how others are working to bring peace to their communities. Then they share the very basic ways to start being peacemakers where you are.

Maybe it is because I am a Christian living overseas and working in a ministry-focused setting. Maybe it is because I've worked with ministry in the States that did these kinds of things. But I found this to be very...basic. As in, yes, that's what incarnational Christian life is supposed to look like. You call it peacemaking, others call it loving their neighbor, others call it being salt and light. This isn't anything new. So don't expect to walk away from reading this book and know how to negotiate peace between two people ready to beat each other black and blue. You will walk away challenged to see if you are really loving the people around you and helping bring God's kingdom on earth where you are. The basic concept is to first NOT go into a place with pre-conceived notions of how to help but just to observe and see where the needs are, then do research about how best to tackle these issues, and then get to work. This is just good practice for any kind of ministry. But again, I don't know if this seems basic to me because of my own experiences. I'm sure there was a time when I didn't know this was the best practice but now it seems very elementary. If I had been their editor I'd also have told them to put their strategy up front instead of at the very end in an appendix. It seems a little backwards to tell story after story of examples of peacemaking (or incarnational living) and then clarify, oh this is our process for what we were doing. Also, I was a bit disappointed that they didn't really ever break down how to negotiate peace in a tough situation. They described everything in big picture terms and I think they want you to sign up for their program to get the real details. Which I get. They've got to feed themselves. But it feels kind of like selling a book to show you how to cook but then at the end says if you want the measurements and how to prepare the list of ingredients you need to sign up for their cooking class. All that to say this book wasn't quite what I'd thought it would be. It was not bad. The stories were very inspiring and sometimes challenging in a good way. So I'd definitely recommend this if you want to read about people loving the people in their cities for Christ, sometimes in what might seem radical ways. Also recommended if you're considering starting a new ministry. If you want details on defusing hostile situations I'd recommend Peacemaker by Sande instead (unless you want to sign up for the authors' actual program).

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is beautiful! Every part is saturated with story. I don't so much refer to the anecdotes; I couldn't even get past the forward without being filled with awe at how large a story God was weaving out of all the little pieces! And although the forward was written by somebody else, the richness of the big-picture story continued to be my favorite part of the book.

The authors go back, way back to the beginning of the story of man. Their description of the fall was the clearest I have ever read, and I am still pondering their thoughts on the Old Testament. Looking toward the future, they gave a name to a philosophy which has seeped so thoroughly into the modern-day church I had no idea it was a recent idea: dispensationalism, which has caused Christians to expect a world of inevitable decay and ever-deepening conflict.

The story Jon and Jer tell is quite the opposite. Moreover, the same story addresses all the different levels that need peace: a single person's relationship with themself and with God, interpersonal conflict, local community conflict, and global conflict. I loved that. This book did not require me to have a heart for any one particular area of injustice or pain to be able to get something out of the book; its message is equally applicable to all parts of my life and calling.

That's not to say the authors gave me all the answers... They couldn't possibly! One of their core principles is that we must not go into conflict waving a prefabricated solution and expecting to be the perfect heros. Peacemaking starts by being present, listening and watching, then getting hands dirty from the inside of the conflict instead of the outside. So, of course, I still have many questions about how to engage in the areas of peacemaking that are apportioned to me, but I think I have better questions now.

I will be rereading this book. It is full of beauty.

[Sara Owens · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as part of a book study with my friend and it was an excellent reminder to be present to the issues and people in our own cities and across the world. While not all of us can head to the Middle East on a peacekeeping mission, we can all cultivate peace in our own communities. As our country riots in turmoil over George Floyd, it was a timely reminder that people need to step up to have peaceful and difficult discussions in order to move towards restoration. It invites the reader to step out of the comfortable and into the world of the complex, which is full of much more beauty and hope than we would likely imagine. Each chapter had practical questions to ask yourself to challenge your own narrative and experience, and often had action steps you could take to start being an everyday peacekeeper in your own day to day life. Nothing revolutionary, but a good read that could be very challenging to anyone willing to take the message to heart.

[Shannon Whitehead · Rating 3 out of 5]

Huckins and Swigart told of their peacemaking experiences with candor and grace. It was interesting to read the stories of everyday people and situations they’ve encountered and their responses as Christians. They also did well emphasizing peacemaking as a part of discipleship, explaining what it looks like to engage conflict constructively, and presenting a convicting case against the “idol of safety.” I did, however, struggle through this book and suspect that I just wasn’t a fan of the writing style—something about it felt detached to me and couldn’t hold my attention. I would still recommend “Mending the Divides” to anyone who would like a glance into what peacemaking as a Christian means through how these two men have lived that out.

*This review is based on a free digital copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are my own.

[Linnea Boese · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly appreciated the practical teaching given in this book, based on careful application of biblical principles. God's mission is restoration in this world, making things new, and although we await the day when his mission will be completed, we are called to join him in the work. This means we need to get creative in the ways that we live out "love your neighbor as you love yourself." One phrase that I want to remember is that this includes "standing in front of any bulldozer that flattens people." Many true-life illustrations are shared of people who have found ways to contend for the marginalized, to connect with them and build relationships. It is a lifelong process, an act of discipleship -- it means training every day for the moment that shows up so that we can respond appropriately. I highly recommend this book!

[Pastor2112 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peacemaking is central to God's mission in the world, that is, central to following Jesus. God seeks to reconcile the world to Godself (2 Cor. 5:18-20), and restore all to the wholeness and fulness of shalom. It's what Jesus gave his life for. Sadly, the authors lament, "our picture of God has been more informed by the bloodied walls of Jericho than by the blood-stained cross of Christ. The former is an image of God that, far from portraying peacemaking, reinforces power and the use of violence against others to secure victory." If you desire a book that describes the hopeful possibilities of everyday peacemaking, this is a good place to start. For the church cannot be what Jesus desires until we give ourselves to the hard work of "waging peace".

[Kristin Perrine · Rating 3 out of 5]

The heart behind the book is great, and the message of loving others by truly seeing, listening, and spending time with them is always a good message (although it has been told before and will continue to be repackaged and retold). However, the authors kind of lost me near the beginning of the book with their claim that God is and always has been a God of peace. That is something that I have struggled with on my own, and at the beginning of chapter 3 I thought they were going to dig into this when I read, "But if we consider what happened to Jericho in a contemporary light, we would call it genocide..." Unfortunately, the authors sort of glossed over this and left me with a lot of unanswered questions and objections. Not a good foundation to build the rest of the book on!

[David Eiffert · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Restoration happens when capitalism no longer trumps compassion, where consumption no longer trumps generosity, and where my flourishing no longer trumps yours."

Man, I really wanted to love this book, and I DID love the heart behind it. It's clear the authors are passionate about 'everyday peacemaking' and I have great respect for them. I just couldn't get on board with the writing. It felt heavy, bloated and a little awkward, and I never found myself relaxing into the flow of the words.

Still, absolute admiration for these men and the work they've done and continue to do.

[Lacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm conflicted in my rating of this book. While found myself agreeing wholeheartedly, and sometimes internally shouting "hallelujah!" while reading, I still struggled to get through it. Something about it didn't translate well as a book to me. It's a thoughtful, well-organized, incisive piece of writing, but is maybe trying to convey something that would come across better in a seminar or TED talk. As important as the perspectives it contains are, though, I'd still say it's worth a read.

[Tamara Murphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

To write a book that demonstrates both the church’s historical call to seek the peace in our communities and a persuasive pathway that turns toward the conflicts of our homes, communities, and world requires a certain balance of grace and truth. For the most part, Swigart and Huckins balance that tension with clarity, encouragement, and, most compelling, the powerful persuasion of a story well-told.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many aspects of the book cause one to reflect, but I mostly keep coming back to the authors' discussion of the Good Samaritan and how the different "passers-by" relate to attitudes and prejudices in the current world setting. My son, Parker, lives in the neighborhood where Jon Huckins and his family live and has attended their worship services. I like the idea of small, neighborhood centric gatherings.

[Karl Dumas · Rating 5 out of 5]

ever since a trip to the Holy Lands several years ago, and witnessing the lack of peace between Israel and Palestine (and for that matter Israel and other Arab countries) and the lack of peace between Muslims and Jews, I've been aware of the need for peace, not just an absence of armed conflict, but the Peace that God desires. Mending the Divides gives great background, personal testimonies, and above all a road map for becoming a true peacemaker!

[J-walk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jon and Jer set the bar high for accomplishing peace. The authors challenge their readers throughout the book. They set out a 10 day, 10 week, 10 month outline for everyone to easily go after. Following their guidelines, our selfish natures will be annihilated. This will enable us to care about our local communities, our national problems, and perhaps global conflicts.

The authors did an exceptional job in deboning the Good Samaritan story. It was my favorite part of the book.

[Bradley Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was motivated to read this because the co-author, Jer Swigart, is a friend/colleague who lives in Bend Oregon and he's engaged in peacemaking and justice work. "The cross of Christ exposes God not as a white, powerful, violent warrior, but as an others-oriented, nations-embracing, enemy-loving peacemaker."

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the theology underlining this book was not new, it was helpful to read in light of growing conflict in the world and discourse in the US that highlights division and “us” vs “them.”

“Restoration happens when capitalism no longer trumps compassion, where consumption no longer trumps generosity, and where my flourishing no longer trumps yours.”

[Cara Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

If Osheta Moore's Shalom Sistas was book one in the recent peacemaking journey, Jer and Jon's Mending the Divides is the icing on the cake. Real, tangible application and stories meets a peacemaking God. This one's a keeper.

[Adam Palumbo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Many Typos throughout the book. While the intent and desire of the authors are heartfelt, the lack of proper editing distracted me. Couldn’t fully engage with the message when the message was poorly communicated.

[David Chang · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very short book with some helpful tips and stories about being a peacemaker. It makes a convincing argument how believers are called to be everyday peacemakers in society. Not the most in depth book but practical and simple.

[Abby Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

The American church of 2018 needs this book. What if we were a church of peacemakers?

[Leanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful resource for those who care about peacemaking, Justice, restoration that Jesus calls us to. Challenging and practical - a large portion of my book is underlined.

[Jamin Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book if you’re new to the topic of peacemaking.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good introduction to the idea of peacemaking as our calling as Christians. Had some practical applications for a variety of settings and came to the topic with humility.

[Marlo Schalesky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful book when you want to love others in a practical way in our broken, divided world. Glad I read it!

[Melissa Robson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic