The Third Option: Hope for a Racially Divided Nation

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The Third Option: Hope for a Racially Divided Nation Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Miles McPherson (Author, Narrator), Drew Brees - foreword (Author), Simon & Schuster Audio (Publisher)

4.7 1,334 ratings

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Miles McPherson, founder of The Rock Church in San Diego, speaks out about the pervasive racial divisions in today’s culture and argues that we must learn to see people not by the color of their skin, but as God sees them - humans created in the image of God.

Miles McPherson has had enough of shying away from a major problem in America today: racial tension. It’s a topic that's widely recognized, yet rarely acknowledged. Sunday morning is the most segregated time in America today, and our preference for clinging to those who are like us leads to big problems in our country as a whole. Even Christians - who, if they claim to follow God, should be the people most outspoken against racism - fall short, and many of us feel obliged to choose sides. Us vs. them. Cops vs. protestors. Blacks vs. whites.

The Third Option is a plea on behalf of a brokenhearted God who, scripture teaches, is frustrated with those of us who claim to believe in him but are really “faking the faith”. McPherson argues that we must rise above the issues that divide us and be part of something bigger. The Third Option challenges both believers and seekers to fully embrace God’s goodness and power.

As senior pastor of Rock Church in San Diego, he doesn’t shy away from core issues that have caused a great divide both within the church and across the country. He believes that instead of choosing one of two sides, there is a third option - one that’s proven to bring people together, mend relationships, and promote genuine peace in communities. Miles exposes common misconceptions that keep people at a distance and encourages us to engage with those who look different from us and expand our world.

Full of practical takeaways and exercises to help us understand the points of view of others, this audiobook inspires, encourages, and equips us to make positive changes in our country - starting with ourselves.

Listening Length

7 hours and 59 minutes
Author

Miles McPherson, see all
Narrator

Miles McPherson
Audible release date

September 11, 2018
Language

English
Publisher

Simon & Schuster Audio
ASIN

B07F3CHF34
Version

Unabridged
Program Type

Audiobook
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Product details

Listening Length	7 hours and 59 minutes
Author	Miles McPherson, Drew Brees - foreword
Narrator	Miles McPherson
Whispersync for Voice	Ready
Audible.com Release Date	September 11, 2018
Publisher	Simon & Schuster Audio
Program Type	Audiobook
Version	Unabridged
Language	English
ASIN	B07F3CHF34
Best Sellers Rank	#137,891 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals) #317 in African American Demographic Studies (Audible Books & Originals) #527 in Black & African American History (Audible Books & Originals) #2,111 in Christian Social Issues (Books)

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4.7 out of 5

1,334 global ratings

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Pamela Logan

A must read!

Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2024

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I first listened to the audio book. I enjoyed it so much that I decided to actually read through it a second time with the physical book. Nicely done - lots to think about and ponder. The third option is a lot like Jesus’ way of doing things upside down from the world. It’s choosing to die to one’s self and fleshly tendencies and honor other, even if they look different and aren’t from your “in group.”

I am grateful for the honesty this book portrayed and the realness in which it was written.

One person found this helpful

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K. Johnson

Hope for a racially divided nation

Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2020

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The Third Option by Miles McPherson

Hope for a racially divided nation

This book is a much-needed book right now when our nation is so divided and there is so much hate. I appreciate how McPherson ends each chapter with practical next steps to take, reflection, and prayer. I believe everyone can learn and grow and The Third Option offers hope for all of us that peace and honor are possible.

The book is divided into a forward, introduction, and 4 sections:
1) Framing the problem
2) Me
3) You
4) We

In the introduction, we learn of the author’s background, personal experience with racism, and motivation for writing this book. In the first part, the author defines racism, in- and out- groups, bias, and the third option: honor.

The second, and longest section, is designed as inward reflection, to look at “me”, my feelings, biases, blind spots, and how I can shift to the honor option. One of the most notable next steps is to visit a place where I am the minority, the only person of my race, and to write about the experience.

Part 3 challenges us to think about others honorably, to have honorable assumptions, see color-coded pain, and engage in full-color conversations. The last section of the book brings it all back together. The goal of the third option is that honor would lead to joyful, Godly unity.

If you honestly desire to improve race relations and mend the divide in our schools, churches, cities, and country, I recommend this book as a great template that addresses our own heart issues and challenges us with actually taking steps toward honoring one another.

11 people found this helpful

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Robert A. Fredericks

A Rare Inspiring Book for these Times

Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2020

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Shortly after the George Floyd killing, in the midst of the aftermath and protests, for the first time I set up a Facebook account after disparaging it for years, extended FB friend requests, to see what people were saying. Almost immediately a pastor I know posted about this incredible speaker, Miles McPerson, who had spoken at the annual pastor’s regional conference. i Googled his name and saw a reference to The Third Option: Hope for A Racially Divided Nation. The first four chapters were absolutely inspirational, the book written in 2018 itself prescient. There are several You Tube videos of his giving this message to churches, ranging from 30 to 60 minutes, a nice encapsulation of the book’s theme: the Third Option, picking up for its theme an encounter between Joshua (successor to Moses) having an encounter with an imposing figure on the road to Jericho. Joshua challenges him, “are you for us or against us?” The response, “Neither, I am the commander of the Lord’s army.” And both CNN and Fox News interviewed him that week; he had to be doing something right. I took on an aphorism in the book—“Listen, Learn, Love”—as my moniker when posting or responding to posts on racial matters. The primary audience is whites but after recommending the book to an African American associate he responded that in just the Introduction and forward that he was already finding himself engaging thoughts and feelings he had long suppressed, finding it immediately healing.

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Nick Minerva

This book is a call to love your neighbor as yourself - even the one that looks different than you.

Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2020

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One of the things I most appreciate about this book is the way it works through racial divide in our country. It doesn’t rush through the issue with soundbites or headlines, but takes its time, defines the terms, and has well sourced statistics; but this is definitely not a text book. Each chapter has challenging stories of what can happen when people embrace the Third Option- when we decide to honor and love each other as fellow image-bearers of God. Miles shows us where we often have blind spots in our own lives and what we can do about them and challenges us to accept those who are in our “out group” like we do those who are in our “in-group.” In a nutshell this book is a call to love your neighbor as yourself. This book is definitely worth your time.

2 people found this helpful

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Mariella

Hope and Divine Love speak through this book!

Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2021

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For those of faith or with family and friends of faith who struggle with navigating the tensions of privilege, racism, and political division, I cannot recommend The Third Option enough. This book is written by a Black pastor from San Diego, CA who presses deeply into what godly wisdom and social science can teach us about the true, compassionate and graceful way to unity in our divided country.

“My biases will say and do racist things, but I CAN learn to live more honorably.”

“I’ve seen firsthand how racism affects individuals and communities and impacts us in different ways. I’ve witnessed racism erode our ability to live in unity with others and prevent us from recognizing the loving image of God in ourselves. I believe racism can only be conquered when individuals take ownership and responsibility for their own attitudes, words, and actions; when another’s experience is understood and honored; and when we decide to tackle racism together.”

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Cellaj

Excellent book on getting along with others!

Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2023

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I really enjoyed the way the author defines the steps we can all take in order to get along with others, especially those who are different from ourselves--no matter if it's gender differences, skin color, educational levels, financial disparity, etc.

One person found this helpful

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Kindle Customer

Everyone should read this book.

Reviewed in the United States on December 14, 2022

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This book is a straightforward honest look at what racism is and what each of us can do to change how racism affects our community. If that subject is important to you, read this book right away! Engaging and well written as well as life-changing.

2 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

Larry O'Hara

Option 3

Reviewed in Canada on June 28, 2021

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This book made me think a lot. It changed my mind about certain things. It also helped me understand more issues that may not affect me,but certainly affect people who are not as ‘white’ as me.