The Wolf Shall Dwell with the Lamb

After having worked for 7 years in a foreign country and culture, I experienced a lot of frustration as I met the culture. Law's book is one of the best I've found in helping me see (albeit in hindsight) what was going on. His distinctions were helpful. I recommend this book for people working (or about to work) in a multi-cultural setting. He gives practical suggestions and some helpful theoretical frameworks to assist those who are bewildered (or about to be bewildered!) with an encounter with those of different cultural mindsets. It was just the book I needed to reflect upon my overseas experience.

I am the leader of a parachurch organization on a university that works with three different student groups - one that is predominately Caucasian, one that is Asian American and another that is African American. Law's book gave a lot of words and definition to what has been our experience in working through multi-ethnicity and the beginnings of racial reconciliation. Especially helpful has been the explanation of perceived power and how that effects dynamics within a multi-ethnic setting. I was also glad to see a chapter on how power redistribution can happen on a practical level (chapter 7). I have read a number of books on Biblical multi-ethnicity and this has been one of the most helpful. ("Divided by Faith" is the second best.)

This book has been used in a bibliography for those who would seek to end or dismantle racism, including institutional and systemic racism. Eric Law broadens the reader's understanding of social and organizational norms -- what they aren't necessarily as well as what they could be. Easy read. Easily understood. Clear.

I have been part of a North American church-related organization which was searching for a way to be more inclusive, both in its leadership and membership. Our governing cabinet used Eric Law's book as a model for discussion and discernment among a predominately Caucasian group and four multi-cultural groups. We reached consensus on so many things after an honest and open discussion, following his approach of "mutual invitation" rather than leader-controlled agenda.

Eric Law provides some important insights concerning power distribution and empowerment strategies, especially germane in cross-cultural or multi-cultural settings. His unique Sitz-im-leben as a person not of the dominant culture, yet often one viewed as holding power, gives him important insight and perspective which he freely shares. Especially helpful was his concentration on the exercise of the theology of the cross as a corrective for the power-holders, and the exercise of the theology of the resurrection (empty tomb) for those from whom power has been withheld. Useful strategies accompanied theory in putting his thoughts into action.