The Dangerous Act of Loving Your Neighbor: Seeing Others Through the Eyes of Jesus

by Mark Labberton

2011 Christianity Today Book Award winner! Jesus didn't see a sick woman, he saw a daughter of God. He didn't see an outcast from society, he saw a child of Israel. He didn't see a sinner, he saw a person in the image of the Creator. Are we able to see others with the eyes of Jesus? Seeing rightly is the beginning of renewal, forgiveness, healing and grace. Seeing rightly, says Mark Labberton, is the beginning of how our hearts are changed. Through careful self-examination in the Spirit, we begin to bear the fruit of love toward others that can make a difference. Here is a chance to reflect on why our ordinary hearts can be complacent about the evils in the world and how we can begin to see the world like Jesus. With each chapter broken into brief segments punctuated by questions, this book is ideal for both personal reflection and group discussion. See what happens when you take a chance on the dangerous act of loving your neighbor. Your vision might just be changed forever.

Genres: Christian, Christian Living, Social Justice, Religion, Spirituality, Nonfiction

236 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2010

About the author

Mark Labberton is president of Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. Prior to that Labberton served for a number of years as senior pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley, California. He has also served as chair of John Stott Ministries. Today he continues to contribute to the mission of the global church as a senior fellow of the International Justice Mission. He is the author of Called, The Dangerous Act of Loving Your Neighbor and The Dangerous Act of Worship.

Reviews

[M Christopher · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, I didn't really finish this book today but I am finished with it.

This is one of those books that sat on my shelf and generated a fair amount of anticipation within me as I waited for it to come to the front of the line (yes, I usually read my books in order of acquisition -- I'm a little OCD that way). After all, copies had been given to a group of pastors and teachers who had served as official mentors for students at Fuller Seminary Northwest as a thank you from the Seminary. I expected something suitably erudite and deep for that esteemed group (of whom I was surely the least).

Yeah, well...

There is absolutely nothing wrong with Labberton's book if you are a Christian young in the faith, or one who has never been challenged to think of the Gospel as something beyond personal salvation into eternal life after death. It would also make a good manual for a young preacher hoping to shake a complacent congregation out of a "pie in the sky by and by when you die" theology. But for a group of seasoned pastors and long-time Christian educators, it was a poorly chosen gift.

So, if you are a Christian who still doesn't understand that the "social gospel" really is an integral part of the message of Jesus or who's never thought about what Jesus means to your relationship with other people, by all means read this book. You'll learn a lot. But if you already work everyday to love your neighbor as yourself, there may not be anything new here for you.

[Michelle Estella Usher-Grano · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of Doris and Jesse is super redemptive. Even though this book was written 10 years ago it is super relevant to what is going on in the world right now A lot of injustice and especially amongst the people of color and black people. Sometimes people at church just want to pray but not get involved and you have to get involved. Jesus got involved, he was among the people, he healed the people, he helped the people and he gave them encouraging words. So we can't have a church of one of just ourselves we have to share the good news with others and help them how we can!

[Neil F. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, Deep, Challenging, Disruptive!

Excellent work on who we are as opposed to others, and how those oppositions need to fall through reframing, renaming, and reacting to our fellow man, in the name of Jesus, for the glory of God, and our deliverance from our crummy little kingdoms and our short sighted pursuits. Pink Floyd said it so well, “Did you exchange a walk on part in a war for a lead role in a cage?” Thank you, Mark, though we probably won’t meet on this side of eternity, this side of eternity for me is much different and better off than it was before I read this book.

[Diana-Michaela Shaffner · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you have ever looked for massive amounts of food for thought, this is your book. The author challenges the reader to take a look at his or her own biases, preconceived notions, opinions and ideas. After each short chapter a list of reflection topics are provided useful to engage thought process and discussion.

[Kelly Murphy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Actually DNF because I missed the last week of book club.
I see what he was going for.

I think I understand his target audience.
But, I wasn’t it.

TLDR: privilege is real. Systemic injustice needs to be addressed. Love people like Jesus would love people.

[Sheri Hathaway · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was drawn in by the title. There was several interesting stories and examples but also several places where I skipped over a few pages. It could have been so much more interesting with more life stories and clearer writing.

[Jessie Lowry · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was just okay. It got repetitive and preachy towards the end without a lot of concrete ideas for ways to make a change. Not my favorite but a few good stories for sure

[Leigh Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book for book club or I probably never would of picked it up. I will say I didn't care for
writing style and he repeats himself a LOT, but the content of the book is phenomenal and has made me think more than most books. His premise is how we name people and how much damage that does. He talks about un-naming and wrong naming and that hit a cord and I've noticed since reading how much I do that without thinking. For example that person is "black" or "slow" or whatever terms you might use. He then discusses how you change that name and how you make the "them" become "we", find your passion and turn that into helping someone. It will be a good discussion book if you have a Christian book club or group of ladies who enjoy this kind of book.

[Naum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Parts of this were so imaginative and poetic, the author beautifully laying out that to love means to see, to name, and to act. Concluding chapters, on the other hand, droned on and on, hitting the same repetitive notes -- those parts seemed in need of an editor, or more cogent integration.

Will need to reread.

[Kendra Mcginnis · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is just another form of Christian literature garbage. "Everything is for God, because of God, blah, blah, blah!" The author is so bland when he write reading this was like staring a white wall. At one point he used the word, "We," 20 plus times to make a point about something that no one will care about! Don't read this, just don't! I only read it because it was a assigned reading.

[Melissa Berry · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did not finish it. Too wordy -- and I like words. Had to fight through each bland page after page. Good concept, just could not get into a good rhythm of reading it to finish. maybe a second try will yield better results.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

head engaging, heart motivating, and gospel orienting.

[Adam Gossman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good book.

[Jt]

not quite like his first book, but okay. It picked up toward the end.