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The Dignity Revolution
As Christians, we want to make a difference in this world. We want to have an impact not only on our immediate family and community, but on wider social issues. We want to protect the vulnerable and engage with the issues that really matter. But how?
This book shoes us how wonderful, liberating and empowering it is to be made in God's image and how this changes how we see ourselves and all other humans, and how we treat them and advocate for them.
Some will feel the call to run for office]] others will roll up their sleeves and join the good work of non-profit ministry]] and others might simply find little ways to incorporate this vision of human dignity into their everyday lives, and change their community one word, one action, one person at a time.
Each one of us can be, and are called to be, part of this new movementa human dignity revolution that our societies need, and that weyouare uniquely placed as Christians to be join.
This compelling book sh
This book shoes us how wonderful, liberating and empowering it is to be made in God's image and how this changes how we see ourselves and all other humans, and how we treat them and advocate for them.
Some will feel the call to run for office]] others will roll up their sleeves and join the good work of non-profit ministry]] and others might simply find little ways to incorporate this vision of human dignity into their everyday lives, and change their community one word, one action, one person at a time.
Each one of us can be, and are called to be, part of this new movementa human dignity revolution that our societies need, and that weyouare uniquely placed as Christians to be join.
This compelling book sh
176 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2018
41 people are currently reading
499 people want to read
About the author
Daniel Darling
25 books73 followersDaniel Darling is an author, pastor and Christian leader. He currently serves as the Director of The Land Center for Cultural Engagement at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Assistant Professor of Faith and Culture at Texas Baptist College.
Prior to his leadership of the Land Center, Darling served as the Senior Vice President for Communications of the National Religious Broadcasters. He also has served the Southern Baptist Convention as the Vice President of Communications at the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. He has also pastored churches in Illinois and Tennessee.
Prior to his leadership of the Land Center, Darling served as the Senior Vice President for Communications of the National Religious Broadcasters. He also has served the Southern Baptist Convention as the Vice President of Communications at the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. He has also pastored churches in Illinois and Tennessee.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
September 4, 2018
Do all humans have value? That is a question practically anyone would be quick to say yes. But does that truly represent what we believe? Do we really grasp the implications of saying all people have worth, also known as dignity?
Daniel Darling’s book challenges our thinking that is too often governed by political ideologies and our own secret narcissism. Each chapter focuses on a unique facet of dignity - abortion, social justice, racism, sexuality, poverty, and yes politics to name a few. Prepare to be encouraged for some of your views and challenged on your other views. But read this book, take it to heart, and put it to action.
If we truly believe humans are made in the image of God, we best start living like it.
Daniel Darling’s book challenges our thinking that is too often governed by political ideologies and our own secret narcissism. Each chapter focuses on a unique facet of dignity - abortion, social justice, racism, sexuality, poverty, and yes politics to name a few. Prepare to be encouraged for some of your views and challenged on your other views. But read this book, take it to heart, and put it to action.
If we truly believe humans are made in the image of God, we best start living like it.
January 16, 2019
Very good book! Reading it as a portion of a section I will be teaching on man being created in God’s image, I am thinking about using this as a textbook next year, it is that good! Highly recommended
January 6, 2023
This is a strange book; given its title and a list of chapter headings, I imagine most of us could predict with a strong degree of accuracy what the argument in each case is-- and predictable is usually bad. And yet, it's engagingly written, Biblically faithful, energized and energizing: it's a pleasure and a bracing, exciting book, even if it's just telling you what you already know: that you ought to think more about the divinely ordained importance of each person and each class of person.
I often find myself frustrated that I'm 'lefter' than my conservative friends and 'righter' than my liberal friends; it seems like I have no place in politics-- which would be fine except that I think Christianity ought to touch politics and most of the friends I have are confessing Christians. Well, here's this book: it goes 'right' on some things-- like abortion!-- and goes 'left' on other things-- like racism! LIKE-- in my humble opinion-- THE BIBLE DOES.
And then it says this:
"We must resist letting our politics shape our faith instead of our faith shaping our politics. This will take great courage. It will mean being criticized, at times, for being too conservative and being criticized, at times, for being too liberal. But a public witness that never crosses the aisle or that is galvanized by fear of the other party is not a public witness that loves our neighbors well."
PREACH
I often find myself frustrated that I'm 'lefter' than my conservative friends and 'righter' than my liberal friends; it seems like I have no place in politics-- which would be fine except that I think Christianity ought to touch politics and most of the friends I have are confessing Christians. Well, here's this book: it goes 'right' on some things-- like abortion!-- and goes 'left' on other things-- like racism! LIKE-- in my humble opinion-- THE BIBLE DOES.
And then it says this:
"We must resist letting our politics shape our faith instead of our faith shaping our politics. This will take great courage. It will mean being criticized, at times, for being too conservative and being criticized, at times, for being too liberal. But a public witness that never crosses the aisle or that is galvanized by fear of the other party is not a public witness that loves our neighbors well."
PREACH
August 6, 2019
In such a sensitive and contentious political climate, this book is an excellent source for followers of Jesus to find some guidance and direction. Darling's entire objective is to emphasize the value and importance each individual person has due to their being created in the Image of God. He succeeds in not only developing a Biblically rooted understanding of the "Imago Dei," but also in demonstrating how this anthropological truth ought to impact our choices, practices, and policies. Rather than give his readers a cut and paste political guide, he offers them a lens through which they can independently approach controversial political topics. Though his personal views do surface throughout the book, he does an excellent job at staying tethered to the objective heart of his message: that all people are made in the Image of God and therefore have unmatched and undeniable value, regardless of age, color, history, gender, or ability. He gracefully charges the church to speak louder, think better, and do more for those being dehumanized and undignified. I will certainly be recommending this work to any Christian struggling to find clarity in this confusing political atmosphere.
August 26, 2020
I live in a country that has swiftly allowed just about every "issue" to become political. This means that a stance about any issue regarding people seems to be a political statement. And with this comes the choosing of sides - you either are on this side and see things (nearly all important things) pretty much this way or you are on this side and see these same things an entirely different way. What is desperately needed in that kind of context is a careful and deeply meaningful exploration of how God sees people (all people) and what the implications of that would be logically speaking. Enter "The Dignity Revolution."
With a healthily humble approach mixed with certitude of what the Bible is clear about, Darling writes about the way God created mankind and bestowed on us this immense value. Then he reveals how this value gets forgotten, dismissed, and tarnished in a variety of ways. Sadly, as he points out, some of these ways are fought for by people believing they are somehow holding a higher moral ground. The author's premise is almost as simple as "why can't we all just be nice to each other" (trust me, it's not *quite* that simple!) but he does a quite decent job of then explaining the complexity that sometimes muddies the otherwise clear waters.
The book shirks "politics," which is ironic to say when the last chapter is literally about that exact subject. But it's true to say, because Darling fights for reclaiming God's rich vision for humanity (the book's well-put subtitle) in different areas that would normally be politically opposing. One minute he sounds like an obvious Republican and then the next like a total Democrat. This is done intentionally, and that's obvious when he states in the last chapter that the goal of this "dignity revolution" is not to get Christians to vote "right" or to get a particular party to be in political control, but instead for us to use everything at our disposal to celebrate and uphold the dignity of all people and to fight against what diminishes that in every direction that the fight comes.
Each topic could probably have been even further developed and really wrestled with, which would make this a bit more scholarly and perhaps undesirable to many. However, as it is, this book is an excellent initiator of conversation on the many ways we as followers of Christ can and should be championing the value of every human being He died to save.
With a healthily humble approach mixed with certitude of what the Bible is clear about, Darling writes about the way God created mankind and bestowed on us this immense value. Then he reveals how this value gets forgotten, dismissed, and tarnished in a variety of ways. Sadly, as he points out, some of these ways are fought for by people believing they are somehow holding a higher moral ground. The author's premise is almost as simple as "why can't we all just be nice to each other" (trust me, it's not *quite* that simple!) but he does a quite decent job of then explaining the complexity that sometimes muddies the otherwise clear waters.
The book shirks "politics," which is ironic to say when the last chapter is literally about that exact subject. But it's true to say, because Darling fights for reclaiming God's rich vision for humanity (the book's well-put subtitle) in different areas that would normally be politically opposing. One minute he sounds like an obvious Republican and then the next like a total Democrat. This is done intentionally, and that's obvious when he states in the last chapter that the goal of this "dignity revolution" is not to get Christians to vote "right" or to get a particular party to be in political control, but instead for us to use everything at our disposal to celebrate and uphold the dignity of all people and to fight against what diminishes that in every direction that the fight comes.
Each topic could probably have been even further developed and really wrestled with, which would make this a bit more scholarly and perhaps undesirable to many. However, as it is, this book is an excellent initiator of conversation on the many ways we as followers of Christ can and should be championing the value of every human being He died to save.
April 29, 2024
I got to meet Dan Darling a couple of years ago through a mutual friend. Ever since that meeting I’ve wanted to check out his writing, and I finally got around to it. What a great book to serve as an introduction! Dan deals with the implications of taking seriously the concept that every human being is made in the image of God. He applies this concept to discussions on criminal justice, immigration, healthcare policy, the sexual revolution, and more. Though Dan writes from perspective that is both politically and theologically conservative, this is not a book for or against either conservative or liberal positions. Rather, Dan presents a compelling vision for taking human dignity seriously in treating each of “hot-button” issues that threaten to divide American society. Sometimes that that will result in policies that lean more conservative, sometimes in policies that lean more to the left, and sometimes it will point to a third way not anticipated by either political polarity. Dan has an ability to take complex issues and write about them in a way that accessible and engaging. While Dan is not able to deal with any of these issues in-depth, he does suggest a basis for Christians to consider these various debates in ways that both advance the gospel and reflect God’s kingdom. This book would work great either for individual study or for group discussion.
November 20, 2022
Dan Darling wants to start a dignity revolution — a robust commitment to the fight for human dignity as the “cause of our generation.” It’s a revolution that can find proper foundation only in the Christian doctrine of the image of God, which tells us that in every single human being, “no matter how small,” is the image of the Creator. And, as Francis Schaeffer said, “if man is not made in the image of God, nothing then stands in the way of inhumanity.”
Darling applies this doctrine to all of the hot button topics of our day — race, the unborn, crime and immigration, work and poverty, sexuality, technology, religious liberty. In all of these areas there are dehumanizing tendencies, but also the opportunity for Christians to take steps to prioritize the dignity of others.
In my opinion, Darling is sometimes a little too eager to throw the church under the bus in his desire to be balanced. Are white Christians really “passing by” black Christians when they simply get up and go to their church on Sunday mornings? (p.70). I don’t know about that. But I do know that any Christian — white or black, conservative or liberal — will be challenged and inspired by this book.
Darling applies this doctrine to all of the hot button topics of our day — race, the unborn, crime and immigration, work and poverty, sexuality, technology, religious liberty. In all of these areas there are dehumanizing tendencies, but also the opportunity for Christians to take steps to prioritize the dignity of others.
In my opinion, Darling is sometimes a little too eager to throw the church under the bus in his desire to be balanced. Are white Christians really “passing by” black Christians when they simply get up and go to their church on Sunday mornings? (p.70). I don’t know about that. But I do know that any Christian — white or black, conservative or liberal — will be challenged and inspired by this book.
January 13, 2019
The Dignity Revolution is a excellent book....one that will surely re-awaken your focus on the true meaning of a Christian life and our relationship with all our brothers and sisters in this World. The premise of the book: Each human on this Earth is made in the image of God; therefore, each human deserves to be treated with integrity; our decisions impacting others should be made through the prism of integrity; and our lives should be lived with a purpose focused on integrity in all we do. With this lofty praise....why did I only rate with 3 stars? Probably inconsistency. Parts of the book were outstanding, written with clarity and supporting the premise of the book masterfully. Other parts were simply not engaging. The book slowed and it was difficult to hold interest. The subject matter was no longer compelling. This was especially true when it came to the chapters on our modern politics. But overall....yes....please read. You'll end the book a better person living a more Christ-like life.
February 1, 2019
Nicely balanced take on how as followers of Jesus we can think about and take action to affirm the human dignity in every person as created in the image of God. Seeks to find a middle path between the hard line rhetoric that often comes from both sides over many contentious issues. Focuses on what individuals can do to make many of our broken systems more understanding of people as having value that transcends their abilities. My only quibble was that the author sometimes blames those who have benefited from biased systems despite not having the ability to change such systems. Such blame creates shame that is unwarranted. Otherwise, I found the challenge to take concrete action worth attempting and the overall approach beneficial.
April 9, 2022
Not a bad read, but nothing to write home about either. This read at times like I was listening to a seminar, and with that there were some dry spots. I liked the different historical elements he included, and it shines a light on how much work there is yet to be done. While I found no disagreements with his biblical stance there was a thing or two that was more of his opinion that I didn't quite agree with. We are all created in the image of our Creator so how can we truly love Him if we don't love His creation? We can't. So just as I won't always agree with the person across the street anymore than they are always going to agree with me, that doesn't mean that dignity should ever be put aside.
January 24, 2019
Some good arguments for human dignity based on our creation as God’s image bearers. Timely challenges for the American church as a whole, and Christians individually, to speak on behalf of those who can’t speak for themselves, and not shy away from biblical truth even when unpopular.
This reads a bit more like a term paper than a book, and the sources are primarily internet-based and accessed recently. It is also more of an overview of the issues rather than an in-depth treatment of any one of them. But good material for further discussion.
This reads a bit more like a term paper than a book, and the sources are primarily internet-based and accessed recently. It is also more of an overview of the issues rather than an in-depth treatment of any one of them. But good material for further discussion.
October 14, 2023
In a world where Christians are popularly portrayed as being intolerant and bigoted, Daniel Darling strives to show that Christians should show dignity to those on the lower social caste, from cradle to grave.
A wonderful picture is presented in a deeply divided world of polemical politics. This book is for the Christian who is too conservative for the liberals and too liberal for the conservatives. Its topics and conversations provide persuasive arguments why human dignity is the foundation for community and why it is lacking in today's world.
A wonderful picture is presented in a deeply divided world of polemical politics. This book is for the Christian who is too conservative for the liberals and too liberal for the conservatives. Its topics and conversations provide persuasive arguments why human dignity is the foundation for community and why it is lacking in today's world.
May 16, 2019
This book is very important for our current cultural context. Daniel Darling points to both the left and the right and anyone in between and shows us the biblical teaching on human dignity - imago dei. Not only will this book teach and advise you that every person has human dignity, but it will also lead you to repent of areas where you haven’t seen dignity in another person. A must read before the next presidential election for all humans - Christian or non-Christian.
September 8, 2020
I would easily state that this has been the most important read (apart from my Bible of course) of my year. Darling tackles some big issues but constantly reminds that it's the Gospel send not culture, faith and not feeling which ought to guide and motivate us to fight for and champion the dignity of others. Many of the issues he writes about are ones I've already begun to wrestle with as a professional communicator but he face further insight and also brought up new issues to work through too.
April 5, 2021
I read this after finishing Kendi’s How to Be an Antiracist. These two were great for me to read together as they both argue that we see people for people and not racist, classist, and other oppressive stereotypes. Darling makes his argument based on the character of God and the mandates of Scripture. He does a good job critiquing popular liberal and conservative so-called Christian thoughts of today. He also gives nods towards active repentance and activism.
September 28, 2025
I wish I had read this book when it came out. In the political climate of our day, this might be the most important book a Christian reads. As believers, we know instinctively that all humans have dignity and value, but too often we get so caught up in our politics that we forget to see the humanity of the people Christ called us to love.
“A persons a person, no matter how small”. May we fight for the dignity and humanity of our neighbors, even if we disagree with them.
“A persons a person, no matter how small”. May we fight for the dignity and humanity of our neighbors, even if we disagree with them.
December 22, 2020
Good book, but I'd love to see the author explore how the *imago dei* and principles of dignity apply to the conquest of Canaan. (That's not a dig; I agree with the author regarding the *imago dei* and its importance as a guiding principle in how we treat others, and the conquest of Canaan is hard.)
January 5, 2021
I highlighted portions of this book because I agreed so strongly and there are entire chapters I cringed through. So, I’m not ready to give it a solid 5 stars. But 4 stars for stirring me to think more deeply about issues on popular culture and a consistent Christian response aligned with recognizing the inherent God-given dignity in everyone.
August 30, 2021
Darling offers a much-needed and insightful way to think about human dignity. His tone is very pastoral, and he clearly aims to offer a balanced and prayerfully considered approach, especially on the most controversial issues. There is so much in this book for all Christians to consider as we seek to treat one another with dignity in the midst of the numerous modern challenges to human dignity.
February 8, 2021
Darling effectively covers a lot of ground in this book, highlighting and exploring how our God-given dignity impacts so many of the most contentious cultural issues.
(full disclosure: the literary agency I'm a part of represents Dan and this book)
(full disclosure: the literary agency I'm a part of represents Dan and this book)
February 23, 2021
Wow. Wow. Wow. Such a needed book after 2020. Thank you Daniel Darling for this impactful read. Every page has underlines and notes on it. Read it! It’s so worth it. “A person’s a person, no matter how small.” ❤️
October 25, 2025
An interesting read with some good insights but, I feel, it rather draws out the concept of dignity
A very good, and thought provoking, chapter on dignity in dieing and the euthanasia debate makes it a book worth reading
A very good, and thought provoking, chapter on dignity in dieing and the euthanasia debate makes it a book worth reading
September 10, 2018
Important Read
This book helps believers live out our faith in a way that stands firm in the truth of the Gospel and also calls for action to love our neighbors.
This book helps believers live out our faith in a way that stands firm in the truth of the Gospel and also calls for action to love our neighbors.
October 3, 2018
Some chapters soared. Others were a tad more pedestrian. But overall, a book deserving a wide readership.
January 28, 2019
Excellent
Well researched, thought out, and written. An excellent book laying out the implications to a robust theological understanding of human dignity.
Well researched, thought out, and written. An excellent book laying out the implications to a robust theological understanding of human dignity.
March 29, 2019
Great read!!!
March 30, 2019
This is book is a survey of categories for which the image of God has relevance.
If you are looking to understand what human dignity is and how it applies- this is a helpful resource.
If you are looking to understand what human dignity is and how it applies- this is a helpful resource.
August 4, 2019
Started off a little slow but middle and end are powerful. The last chapter is worth photocopying and handing out to everyone you know.
August 25, 2019
Interesting book and it made some good points, but ultimately the writing was not very engaging. This could have used a better editor.
March 27, 2020
Very obtainable!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews