Let's Talk: Bridging Divisive Lines Through Inclusive and Respectful Conversations

by Harold Heie, Richard J Mouw (Foreword), David P Gushee (Afterword)

The state of public discourse in America is dismal, reflecting an extreme us-versus-them tribalism where "me and my folks" have the full truth about the contentious issue at hand and "those other folks" are devoid of any truth and can even be demonized as evil. Rather than just cursing this darkness, Harold Heie presents what he considers to be a "better way" for those who disagree about contentious issues to respectfully engage one another, a way that is deeply informed by his Christian faith perspective; a way that reflects his understanding that to listen carefully to those who disagree with you and to then talk respectfully about your disagreements is a deep expression of the love for others to which Jesus calls all those who claim to be his followers. But this book is not just an abstract consideration of the nature of civil public discourse. Rather, drawing on his successes and failures, the beautiful and the ugly, in his attempts to orchestrate respectful conversations on contentious issues, both online and in small-group face-to-face meetings during the past decade, Heie presents practical, concrete proposals for how to talk to one another about significant disagreements, particularly in Christian churches that have tragically succumbed to tribalism.

150 pages, Hardcover

Published December 10, 2021

Reviews

[Kim Van · Rating 4 out of 5]

Readers of this book have no choice but to think deeply about what it means to engage those whose opinions differ from their own. Author Harold Heie writes of his experiences bringing people together (either face to face or in virtual forums) to discuss their differences. But these encounters are no free-for-all: he moderates with clear goals and clear guidelines. I appreciated Heie's honesty in describing his successes and failures in these attempts to build bridges. He writes out of his Christian identity, but readers of any religious background could come away better after reading this book.