Customer Reviews

The Prophetic Call: Celebrating Community, Earth, Justice, and Peace

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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.