The Dangerous Act of Loving Your Neighbor

November 15, 2010
Labbertons latest sports a provocative title, much on the order of his earlier work, The Dangerous Act of Worship (2007). But this one seems to deviate from its suggested intent, offering only a few anecdotes involving personal encounters with immediate neighbors. Many more examples relate to oppression and injustice being done to neighbors in a much larger global community, and in some ways, this makes the act of loving seem somewhat remote. At points, the book also veers away from its suggested Jesus-specific vision, citing several passages from the Old Testament. Even so, each chapter provides specific exercises containing truly insightful questions. It is these structured inquiries that are most likely to provoke readers to examine personal perceptions as well as behaviors and passive indifference that can lead to oppression and injustice. Operating as a workbook for personal growth, this may very well help promote change for a better world.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)