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A Nazareth Manifesto

nazarethby Samuel Wells
Wiley-Blackwell, Oxford 336 pages

Samuel Wells is a distinguished priest, theologian and ethicist who, in addition to his parish duties at St. Martin-in-the-Fields, is visiting professor of Christian ethics at King’s College. I can think of no other person who more skillfully combines theological, literary and historical reflection with Christian practice and with such a winsome voice. Wells demonstrates how the common Christian inclination to do for others often betrays the assumption that we can “help” or “fix” others from afar. According to Wells, this inclination undergirds much of Christian social practice but is, in fact, not always the best approach or even helpful. He argues that Christians need to rethink — comprehensively — social practice. Rather than doing for others, Christians must find ways to be with those whom we seek to serve. Being with others opens up opportunities for listening to our neighbors and learning from them precisely how to love one another. This “being with” is the core of the gospel and from it the church gathers its social practice. He writes, “God is with us. These four words express the character of God, the identity of Jesus, the work of the Spirit. Each word offers itself as the heart of the gospel.” From this biblical starting point Wells develops a comprehensive social practice that reorients Christians to be in relationship with people and forsake the anxious quest to help them. He not only lays out the incarnational theology that undergirds Christian practice, Wells does so with compelling examples and beautifully written prose. Preachers take note and social justice advocates, too. This is for you.

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