To Right Every Wrong: The Making and Unmaking of One Improbable Minor Prophet

by Dave Andrews

Dave Andrews's latest book, To Right Every Wrong, is the last in the Dave Andrews Legacy Series. It is a funny, sad, brutally honest retrospective, reflecting on what it has meant for him and his family to seek to live a lifetime dedicated to love and justice. The reflections in this book, subtitled The Making and Unmaking of One Improbable Minor Prophet, come in three parts--the personal, the prophetical, and the paradoxical. The personal part explores Andrews's experience of the radical, compassionate spirituality that he shares with wife, Angie, and which has shaped their way of life as a family in community with marginalized and disadvantaged groups of people. The prophetical part explores Andrews's embrace of the "strange," "crazy," "improbable" call he felt to be a prophet, which he has sought to flesh out in classic prophetic roles--as an interrogator, a protester, a practitioner, and an inspirator--in contemporary prophetic contexts characterized by poverty and violence. The paradoxical part explores Andrews's making and unmaking as a minor prophet, critically constructing and deconstructing the more confrontational aspects of the prophetic roles he has played in order to be able to practice more sensitive pastoral care.

282 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 26, 2021

About the author

David Frank Andrews is an Australian Christian anarchist author, speaker, social activist, community worker, and a key figure in the Waiter's Union, an inner city Christian community network working with Aboriginals, refugees and people with disabilities in Brisbane, Australia.

Reviews

[Fr. River · Rating 5 out of 5]

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Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Luke 1:39-56: Mary set out at that time and went as quickly as she could to a town in the hill country of Judah. She went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. Now as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a loud cry and said, ‘Of all women, you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why should I be honored with a visit from the mother of my Lord? For the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy. Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.’ And Mary said: ‘My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit exults in God my saviour; because he has looked upon his lowly handmaid. Yes, from this day forward all generations will call me blessed, for the Almighty has done great things for me. Holy is his name, and his mercy reaches from age to age for those who fear him. He has shown the power of his arm, he has routed the proud of heart. He has pulled down princes from their thrones and exalted the lowly. The hungry he has filled with good things, the rich sent empty away. He has come to the help of Israel his servant, mindful of his mercy – according to the promise he made to our ancestors – of his mercy to Abraham and to his descendants forever.’ Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then went back home.

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The story of Mary and Elizabeth meeting after finding out they were pregnant illustrates the central truth of grace upon grace. Mary followed instinct and accepted her pregnancy and Elizabeth, an older woman became pregnant.

They provide us a glimpse into the meaning of the words of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, "It is only with gratitude that life becomes richer." They lead us in finding gratitude.

The death of my young friend by suicide on zoom has burst open my heart in grief overall experienced the past year--the pain on the street and the deaths from the pandemic, and the realization the division between the have's and the have not's will increase.

The door of my heart which had been closed in grief is now open, and I see the people who walk with me these days and am grateful.

I grieve in the realization that the words of Luke are true:

Luke 16:19-31

19. 'There was a rich man who used to dress in purple and fine linen and feast magnificently every day. 20. And at his gate there used to lie a poor man called Lazarus, covered with sores, 21. who longed to fill himself with what fell from the rich man's table. Even dogs came and licked his sores. 22. Now it happened that the poor man died and was carried away by the angels into Abraham's embrace. The rich man also died and was buried. 23. 'In his torment in Hades he looked up and saw Abraham a long way off with Lazarus in his embrace. 24. So he cried out, "Father Abraham, pity me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in agony in these flames." 25. Abraham said, "My son, remember that during your life you had your fill of good things, just as Lazarus his fill of bad. Now he is being comforted here while you are in agony. 26. But that is not all: between us and you a great gulf has been fixed, to prevent those who want to cross from our side to yours or from your side to ours." 27. 'So he said, "Father, I beg you then to send Lazarus to my father's house, 28. since I have five brothers, to give them warning so that they do not come to this place of torment too." 29. Abraham said, "They have Moses and the prophets, let them listen to them." 30. The rich man replied, "Ah no, father Abraham, but if someone comes to them from the dead, they will repent." 31. Then Abraham said to him, "If they will not listen either to Moses or to the prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone should rise from the dead."

Dr. Jacques Attali, a professor of economics at the Polytechnique in Paris and president of the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development wrote in 2003:

By 2050, 8 billion people will populate the earth. More than two-thirds will live in the poorest countries. Seeking to escape their desperate fate, millions will attempt to leave behind their misery to seek a decent life elsewhere. But neither the Pacific nor the European spheres will accept the majority of poor nomads. They will close their borders to immigrants. Quotas will be erected and restrictions imposed. (Renewed social norms will ostracize foreigners. Like the fortified cities of the Middle Ages, the centers of privilege will contract barriers of all kinds trying to protect their wealth."

The streets of this country are full of homeless people, mental illness without treatment is widespread on the treat, racism and homophobia are alive and well. Our hearts need to be changed.

We need to enter into the lives of others, laws will solve the problem for a while, but they change. It is in seeing others as human beings like us, that we can come together and work and love all in need. It is in sharing our wealth, that all can have what they need.

So I grieve, and in grieving I find grace upon grace in being challenged to follow Jesus, simply to follow, and to love others. I am called simply to do my part.

Grace upon grace brings hope in the reign of God, and there is grief, but in looking to Jesus, I know all will be well. Deo Gratias! Thanks be to God!

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Book Reviews

To Write Every Wrong

The Making and Unmaking of One impossible Minor Prophet

By Dave Andrew

Dave Andrews, who is 70, writes his autobiography, talking of his ministry.

Reading To Right Every Wrong is like finding some lost compilations of Bob Dylan and discovering a treasure trove of new versions of his greatest hits, lost gems, and some fresh material. Dave Andrews, the original Christ-anarchist, reflects on a lifetime of living among and serving the poor and calling others to join him, and the result is operatic!

Dave reminds me that in following Jesus, one finds joy, hope, and strength!

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Samaritan Cookbook

A Culinary Odyssey

from the Ancient Israelites

To the Modern Mediterranean

by Benyamim Tsedaka

Benyamim Tsedaka is an elder of his people and head of the Israelite Samaritan Information Center.

His cookbook is a love letter to his people and his culture. It is the first Samaritan Cookbook, written and takes us on an adventure into this little-known world of Israelite food and drink.

We journey to both the halves of the community: in Holon, outside Tele Aviv, and Kiryat Luza, on Mount Gerizim near Nablus. Most people have heard the Parable of the Good Samaritan, but few realize that the community is once again going strong today, must less tasted or prepared much less tasted or prepared any of their cuisines. Despite almost fading from the history books, the Samaritan way of life has survived 3000 years in the Holy Land. From hummus and avocado sesame salad to lamb meatballs with pine nuts and chicken with za!atar, Samaritan culture is a unique blend of Mediterranean traditions, reflecting the flavors and spices of contemporary Arabic and ancient Levantine neighbors.

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Father River Damien Sims, sfw, D.Min., D.S.T.

P.O. Box 642656

San Francisco, CA 94164

www.temenos.org

[Heather Barta · Rating 5 out of 5]

How have I never met Dave Andrews before? In all of my years of ministry (lay and ordained), I have never heard of him. This book has completely warmed my heart and challenged me in my own journey of faith as a pastor, entrepreneur (which is out of place in the church), and a prophet (which is often unwelcome in the church). I’m surprised that no one has handed this book (or his other works) to me previously, and I am poorer for it. But, it’s not too late for me, and it’s not too late for you.

If you are looking for a companion on your journey as you reflect on life and strive to live in alignment with your values, this book is for you. If you have been out of step with culture because of your great care for others and the earth, this book is for you. If you are seeking a deep relationship with God, but sometimes feel like it’s gone all wrong, this book is for you.

This book is a challenge to all of us to find our way to serve others as best as we can, knowing that God is with us and encourages and empowers us. Faithful Christians (and people of faith), often walk a line between what we know is right to do and what is easy to do. Andrews uses his own life to be just one example of getting it right and getting it wrong and just trying the best that we can to achieve the world that God dreams us. By sharing his story, he encourages us to be honest in our own journey. An authentic story is hard to tell because we’d rather just make ourselves look good to others, but the story he tells definitely shows why being genuine is more important than looking good.

This is a dense book of writing and reflecting and should not be approached as a light afternoon of reading. However, if you are looking to reflect deeply on your own life, let Dave Andrews accompany you on your journey.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

[Susan Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have just finished reading this powerful book by Dave Andrews. If you want to know what it looks like for someone with a God-given call to be prophetic, exercising this in the realm of social justice & community building while learning poignant lessons & growing along the way - this is the book you should read! Inspiring, powerful & challenging!!