- I received this book from Handlebar's review program in exchange for an honest review -

I will admit, this book wasn't quite what I expected, with the evangelizing aspect. I tend to be a Christian of the liberal, interfaith variety, which isn't exactly the same brand with which the author affiliates. Still, though, I found this book to be enjoyable. In a world where far too many Christians make a name for themselves talking and teaching about hate and mistrust for other faiths, where show more misinformation is so carelessly perpetuated, it is always exciting to find a Christian standing up for love. The author and I may disagree on the mission of converting others to our faith, and over the concept of the Trinity (there are plenty of Christians who are non-Trinitarian, both historically and today - I happen to be one of them), but the idea of bold love - that "we are to love to the extreme" (page 27) - is something with which I do deeply agree.

The author tells us (again, on page 27), that "This book is about what our congregation has experienced while becoming missionaries in a multifaith world, and how it has deepened our love for Jesus and enhanced our witness for him." Within the pages of this book, the author demonstrates his conviction in "bold love" by discussing multifaith involvement with Muslims and Jews, as well as his own personal convictions as an evangelical Christian. He speaks about serving, not out of the hope of converting others, but because we have already been converted ourselves. He talks about how important it is to build relationships and truly love others. He encourages educating ourselves about the faiths of others, getting to know who they are as people.

Perhaps one of my favorite pages - page 48 - discusses how the brilliance of Jesus' message to love our enemies was in the impossibility of enmity to exist when there is love, which is something I, myself, have felt was the whole point of that particular part of Jesus' teachings. "Hearing" someone else also make this claim was definitely a pleasant experience.

I really did enjoy this book. We might differ in our personal theology, stand on opposite ends of the Christian spectrum, in terms of conservatism and liberalism, but I did enjoy the author's message. How could I not, when the message was love and encouraging understanding and relationship with people of other "tribes?" But not only did I appreciate his message, I found the style of this book engaging, and it was also a very easy, quick read. It's a book I think any kind of Christian could benefit from - the liberals, like me, would appreciate that he is encouraging such a positive way of living out our faith in this world in relation to those of other faiths, that he is encouraging loving boldly, as Jesus loved. And conservatives, too, should be able to take much away from what he has to say. Sadly, those who *really* need to read this book, to hear his message - those who preach hate and isolation and negativity - they either never will, or will only do so with prejudice. Still, I do believe that this book could really mean something to those who would appreciate its message, could really make a difference within that community. So I hope that it is one that many Christians - and even nonChristians (it would benefit Christianity, I think, for others to see this side) - do read.

My rating : four stars show less

Apr 29, 2026