Ordinary Faith in Polarized Times

Amy Carr and Christine Helmer make a valuable Lutheran contribution to the ongoing ecumenical gift exchange in theology and ethics. In recalling us to a shared, 'ordinary' Christian identity founded in justification through faith by Christ, they invite fresh and careful reconsideration of the connection between that identity and the work of seeking justice. This crucial endeavor involves giving a properly theological account of the possibility and importance of patient encounter, reflection, and dialogue in our fractious and polarized cultural moment. What emerges is an attractive vision of the practice of justification which serves the life of the Beloved Community, the hope of the world.

~Philip G. Ziegler, Chair of Christian Dogmatics, University of Aberdeen

By beginning with 'ordinary faith'--the conviction that our identity is secured by grace rather than by any ethical or political performance--Carr and Helmer provide a framework for moral discernment in an ecclesial context where there often seems little on offer except silence or shouting. Addressing some of the most deeply divisive issues in the contemporary landscape, they evoke a refreshing vision of the Beloved Community, in which 'living into the spacious grace of God' entails a commitment to hear and engage the insights of all members of Christ's body--especially those with whom we disagree.

~Ian A. McFarland, Robert W. Woodruff Professor of Theology, Candler School of Theology, Emory University

This book speaks faithfully, compellingly, and earnestly into the current crises of politically divided Christians in the US today, providing brilliant re-framings of core Christian commitments to offer sacred spaces of generative engagement and the possibilities of transforming 'high conflict into good conflict.' Carr and Helmer deliver multiple hopeful avenues through which Christians from radically opposing positions might prioritize revolutionary listening, transformative love, and practices of Beloved Community.

~G. Sujin Pak, Dean of the School of Theology, Boston University

Carr and Helmer argue that the task of justice-seeking needs to be grounded theologically, specifically in justification, through which Christians receive their primary identity and belonging. Their approach to navigating diverse and often opposing views of justice is compelling and refreshing. No topic is off-limits, as they illustrate with chapters on the contentious issues of abortion and Christian participation in politics. This much-needed volume should be read by Christian leaders everywhere.

~Cheryl Peterson, Academic Dean, Wartburg Theological Seminary

Carr and Helmer tackle the difficult, some might say impossible, task of addressing polarization and entrenched divisions in the Christian community over hot-button issues. Theirs is a grace-oriented approach that seeks common ground in a shared baptism in Christ in order to explore how justification can establish a renewed way of being in the world. Though readers will find aspects with which to agree and disagree, I applaud their efforts to build bridges across divides, to generate justice-seeking conversation that takes theology seriously, and to root discourse and relationships across camps by appealing first and foremost to the undeserved grace that Christ offers believers.

~Jennifer Powell McNutt, FRHistS, Franklin S. Dyrness Chair, Associate Professor of Theology and History of Christianity, Wheaton College