Balancing Acts

Henry Brinton has been tackling challenging issues for many years. His church, in Northern Virginia, is in the midst of the DC Beltway ethos of compromise and euphemism, however, he maintains a uniquely clear and accessible perspective. He has honed his insight as a frequent contributor to the Washington Post. Pastor Brinton provides a gyroscope for many of the dividing issues within mainline Protestantism. Following traditions like Jacques Ellul - he uses the tension between issues of Liberty and Obligation as glue instead of as a wedge. Henry provides a perspective that every lay person needs in order to arrive at a sure foundation in uncertain times.

As someone who is deeply troubled by the political and religious polarization in this country, I found Henry Brinton's book to be a breath of fresh air. By providing the readers a helpful framework to view the dichotomy, Pastor Brinton is able to show us that different perspectives are not necessarily different "sides", but are all valid and vital parts of Christianity. Whether you are a "covenant keeper" or a "liberation seeker", this book will enable you to feel not only that your belief is an important part of Christianity, but also that the beliefs of the "other side" are just as essential. The lines that separate us are not as distinct as we may believe and Pastor Brinton provides us with many ways to recognize this and to work together for the common good. Reading this book made me feel hopeful and optimistic that we can indeed do this.

As a progressive Christian in a church denomination of a variety of people, I found this book very helpful in understanding those with whom I disagree. Rev. Brinton uses specific examples from the churches he's served to illustrate the issues affecting so many congregations. He goes beyond explaining the opposing positions to clarifying the underlying beliefs, needs, fears, and love that energize these approaches to spirituality. Reading this book is helpful, and using it as a text for an adult class makes for healthy discussions that can promote more understanding within a congegation, minimizing "taking sides" or "being right."

Henry Brinton's "Balancing Acts" will surely prove helpful to other members of the clergy and to lay leaders in the Christian community, but this thoughtful and lucidly written book deserves a much wider audience. It has important things to say to all Americans who feel mounting concern about the erosion of civil discourse and the political, social and cultural polarization in our country today.

I found the book to be factual and right on the mark with its enlightening analysis of what sometimes lies behind the conflicts that arise in churches today. The author does an excellent job of not taking sides, but portrays the positive and negative aspects of both points of view. I believe his goal is to show that by better understanding the other person's point of view, we can find somewhere in the middle that is in balance for us both. It is worth the read!