The Beloved Community: How Faith Shapes Social Justice, from the Civil Rights Movement to Today

If there were a way to give all Americans a required readinglist, this book would be at the top. Not to diminish the enjoyment of reading Marsh's eloquent writing and gripping storytelling, but the Beloved Community communicates several extremely important socio-historical lessons. In addition, the nebulous term "faith," which has been thrown around in political rhetoric and sappy talk shows, takes on a powerful definition in the real, concrete historical events and characters of the civil rights movement. Much of the unique value in this book is Marsh's ability to connect the civil rights movement of the 1950s & `60s with today's torch-carriers of the vision for beloved community. Those who work for civil rights today (whether on a broad political level or at the simple grassroots level of volunteering at the local shelter) will be challenged by the determined, sturdy spirit of the early civil rights leaders who had such assurance of God's will for social healing that they endured external persecution and internal conflict without abandoning the vision. At the same time, today's leaders will be encouraged by Marsh's account of other contemporary activists seeking redemptive reform in society through the church (if not in the church, as well). Since we cannot have a universal required reading list, then this book will already be an easy choice for anyone working, volunteering, or advocating for social justice and healing. It will be a convicting book for American Christians who will see that faith really does move mountains and then wonder if we are living so boldly. This book would be a great tool for discussion groups or Bible studies as it provides a balance of thick historical narration and intelligible commentary, leaving room for others to apply meaning and relevancy themselves. Finally, the Beloved Community will also appeal to anyone who appreciates history, sociology, or theology.

'The Beloved Community' should be required reading for anyone even peripherally interested in issues of social justice, the civil rights movement, and "moral values" - especially for how all three intersect in carefully processed and thorough arguments as they do here. I've had no problem recommending it to college professors (for their classes), friends, and colleagues - and so far a nice handful of them have picked it up and agreed with my opinion of the book. In light of the 2004 Election, the blather made about "moral values" (and what constitutes a 'moral value') and the splash made by Jim Wallis's 'God's Politics' - I'd say I'm more glad Marsh's book came my way in terms of relevancy, weight, and approach. While it may seem at first glance that this is no more than a "history book" written to prove a point, to stop there and say it doesn't have a "vision for America" would come up short. Marsh's deeply rooted and researched (all backed up by copious notes/bibliography) historical approach serves as a unique and ultimately more vibrant catalyst for the future by the time I worked my way up to present day. I'd love to keep writing about it - but suffice it to say - 'The Beloved Community' makes the last 50 years compelling and relevant in America in the stories about the Civil Rights Movement and all its diverse characters (the chapters on MLK, L'Abri, and John Perkins especially grabbed me). Furthermore, Marsh spares neither the right or the left in their inability to truly confront social injustice in a Godly way, but his critiques are done with fact, dexterous argument, and the healthy reminder that for many people, their citizenship comes not from the right or the left in the end, but from above - and it is in that direction that we must ultimately answer on these vital issues of justice, faith, poverty, racism, etc. As a recent college graduate working for a non-profit on global issues, I found it extremely encouraging, challenging, and welcome. I highly recommend 'The Beloved Community' for pastors, professors, students, and any "secular"/"religious" book group/discusions that you might be a part of. It's a solid, legitimate discussion piece and definitely worth having on the bookshelf. And then you can tell everyone to read a book that they haven't heard about yet! 'The Beloved Community' demands to be grappled with here and now. Hopefully you'll enjoy (and wrestle with) it like I did.