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Making America Great Again: Fairy Tale? Horror Story? Dream Come True?
"...an impassioned call for solidarity and unity in a time of political and social uncertainty." -Santa Barbara Independent "Dr. David Moore is a gifted writer and insightful commentator of the social condition. He calls us as a pied piper to both see the reality of our desperate situation while providing hope if only we embrace each other and truly believe that together we have power to create change. At a time when the fabric of our society is unraveling, he relentlessly extends his words to rescue us from our indifference and lethargy. This is a book for this time which needs to be read and understood as a personal invitation to make a difference." -Arthur Gross-Schaefer , Author/Professor/Rabbi, Loyola Marymount University
174 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 8, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 19, 2018
Before I began this read, Moore was sadly not on my radar, but now I can only hope he continues publishing. He, by profession, is a pastor, educator and ecumenical teacher, and in my own estimation, a sharp (prophetic even) culture critic, a contemplative, a voice of compassion and someone we should all be listening to.
While the title of this book might make some assume that it is only a challenge to the current White House administration, I can assure you it offers far more substance than even that. This is not to say that it is absent of such critiques, but it is not central to Moore’s aim. What is central is waking the church up and bringing her face-to-face with her failures while also empowering action toward healing. As one who has known and felt the harms of prejudice, Dr. Moore begins by sharing his own journey through Evangelical Christianity which led him to unmask the structural-racism that the Western Church has blindly and tragically bought into. Interestingly, though not surprisingly, he shows how the work of colonization has in part been culpable in its uniting the dominant-society by employing myths, symbols and promises of supremacy.
But, this only sets the stage for Dr. Moore to shed light on the deeper problems that keep us isolated and immersed in hatred and distrust. He marks out how the church became a culture that would sell itself to power and follow an anti-Gospel politic; a politic that excludes and blames the very victims it helps create.
Yet, where David criticizes he also energizes and inspires a shared vision. He says, “…I have experiences that I cannot explain and that point me to an interconnectedness that convinces me that we all have a stake in our collective existence.”[1] His Christian theology and ethic rightly sees that our stories are woven together in such a way that we belong to each other and community always supersedes power. He continues, “Away with graceless Christianity, so full of suspicion and devoid of mercy! Out with the old and in with the new hope of Jesus. Even with its persistent sorrows, ubiquitous disappointments and lingering aches of the soul, life is hopeful. This will be realized increasingly in the days to come as more of us discover how not alone we are.”[2] David’s words are an open letter to the church in a time where, for the sake of its own health and witness, it needs this challenge and needs to repent and change course so that we may mend.
I honestly cannot give this book enough praise. Dr. Moore is a skilled and insightful writer. Making America Great Again, is written with a broad audience in mind, but more specifically an audience who will take the time to both listen and hear. While this book is a great stand alone read, if you are like me and like reading books on a theme in succession, then the writings of MLK, Howard Thurman, James Cone, Cornel West, Jon Sobrino and Miguel A. De La Torre would all accompany Dr. Moore very well. Happy reading!
Reference
[1] David N. Moore. Making America Great Again: Fairy Tale? Horror Story? Dream Come True? (Crowdscribed, LLC. Kindle Edition.), Kindle Locations 1406-1407.
[2] Ibid, 2036-2038.
While the title of this book might make some assume that it is only a challenge to the current White House administration, I can assure you it offers far more substance than even that. This is not to say that it is absent of such critiques, but it is not central to Moore’s aim. What is central is waking the church up and bringing her face-to-face with her failures while also empowering action toward healing. As one who has known and felt the harms of prejudice, Dr. Moore begins by sharing his own journey through Evangelical Christianity which led him to unmask the structural-racism that the Western Church has blindly and tragically bought into. Interestingly, though not surprisingly, he shows how the work of colonization has in part been culpable in its uniting the dominant-society by employing myths, symbols and promises of supremacy.
But, this only sets the stage for Dr. Moore to shed light on the deeper problems that keep us isolated and immersed in hatred and distrust. He marks out how the church became a culture that would sell itself to power and follow an anti-Gospel politic; a politic that excludes and blames the very victims it helps create.
Yet, where David criticizes he also energizes and inspires a shared vision. He says, “…I have experiences that I cannot explain and that point me to an interconnectedness that convinces me that we all have a stake in our collective existence.”[1] His Christian theology and ethic rightly sees that our stories are woven together in such a way that we belong to each other and community always supersedes power. He continues, “Away with graceless Christianity, so full of suspicion and devoid of mercy! Out with the old and in with the new hope of Jesus. Even with its persistent sorrows, ubiquitous disappointments and lingering aches of the soul, life is hopeful. This will be realized increasingly in the days to come as more of us discover how not alone we are.”[2] David’s words are an open letter to the church in a time where, for the sake of its own health and witness, it needs this challenge and needs to repent and change course so that we may mend.
I honestly cannot give this book enough praise. Dr. Moore is a skilled and insightful writer. Making America Great Again, is written with a broad audience in mind, but more specifically an audience who will take the time to both listen and hear. While this book is a great stand alone read, if you are like me and like reading books on a theme in succession, then the writings of MLK, Howard Thurman, James Cone, Cornel West, Jon Sobrino and Miguel A. De La Torre would all accompany Dr. Moore very well. Happy reading!
Reference
[1] David N. Moore. Making America Great Again: Fairy Tale? Horror Story? Dream Come True? (Crowdscribed, LLC. Kindle Edition.), Kindle Locations 1406-1407.
[2] Ibid, 2036-2038.
August 20, 2018
This was a great book. It was one I specifically read on my journey of decolonization. I weep over the decisions of the evangelical church in North America. This is a good response and one to pass on to friends. The author is kind and gentle to all.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews