The Prophetic Call: Celebrating Community, Earth, Justice, and Peace [Paperback]

Hugh W. Sanborn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2004

Of all the roles the church is called to fulfill, its prophetic mission is frequently the most neglected. Proclaiming and living out the prophetic message disturbs rather than comforts and risks criticism or even condemnation for taking a stance that is unpopular or threatening to the status of the community. Yet the church must speak out against the systemic nature of evil if it is to fulfill its calling as the body of Christ. God’s unconditional love and truth that call the church into being summon us not only to love and care for one another with compassion, but also to demonstrate that compassion in ways that confront systemic evil in all forms.

The Prophetic Call focuses on the disturbing and yet liberating form of witness described as the prophetic. It brings together a wide range of social ethicists, activists, and theologians to probe the deepest meaning of what it means for us today to take up the cross and follow the Christ. Each author shows us the importance of bringing the prophetic tradition back into our Christian worship, stimulating creative forms of liturgy to affirm and celebrate the transforming, liberating mission of prophetic ministry.

Essays include:
• The Prophets as Challengers of Authority, John Bullard
• The Failure of Community, Sharon G. Thornton
• Building Authentic Faith Communities, Ismael Garcia
• A Prophetic Vision of Building Worldwide Community, Ann Bragdon
• Issues of Ecological Concern for the Church and Society, Charles McCollough
• Becoming a Church for Ecology and Justice, Dieter T. Hessel
• A Prophetic Vision of Restoring the Earth, David W. Randle
• Issues of Injustice in the Church and Society, Cynthia Bowman
• Building a Justice-affirming Church, Jim Wallis
• From Empire to Community, Joseph Gerson
• Issues of Peacemaking in the Church and Society, Richard L. Deats
• Building a Peacemaking Church, Jay Lintner
• A Prophetic Vision of Establishing Worldwide Peace, Hugh W. Sanborn

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Chalice Press (September 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0827204957
• ISBN-13: 978-0827204959
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,796,779 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Responsible Christianity Takes Courage, May 20, 2005

By 

C. Notess (Loveland, Colorado, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Prophetic Call: Celebrating Community, Earth, Justice, and Peace (Paperback)

Hugh Sanborn, has edited a most timely and very readable book coordinating chapters from 12 other writers. The chapters are arranged according the topics: Community, Ecological Responsibilities, Justice, and Peacemaking. Sanborn, directed the United Campus Ministry in Houston for 22 years and taught psychology of religion at Rice University for 30 years. He was a pastoral therapist serving two churches for 25 years. His experiences in working with young people have helped him understand how idolatries can weaken the communities and the inclusivness that are such an essential part of democracy.

"The Prophetic Call" is a courageous book that gets into the nitty gritty of avoiding the many idolatries that are so prevalent in our consumer-oriented society. For example, Joseph Gerson, in Chapter 10 does not hesitate to discuss the American Empire and how America has mishandled the responsibilities of continually nurturing a democracy in a way that is knowledgeable about the essential components of a democracy and how they should be managed. Gerson wrote: "Democracy is a human construct that must be nurtured, sustained, and not infrequently re-created or resuscitated by successive generations, or it ceases to exist." (p. 151)

Gerson discusses the slow erosion of freedom in our supposed democracy and gives examples of building the American Empire and its reliance upon military dominance. Prime-time newscasters are "afraid to pose the most challenging questions to our national leaders." (p. 145) This will be an eye-opener for many readers. On page 22, Thornton wrote: "Strangely, at this time in our national life, to question root causes of failed community is viewed as unpatriotic."

Prophets were challengers of authority. (Bullard in Chapter 1) This book not only challenges, but provides examples of responsible actions. I highly recommend this book.