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We live in a highly polarized culture. We are polarized in all kinds of ways—politically, racially, even theologically. And it keeps getting worse. Why? Because we don’t talk to each other. All we see on the other side are monsters. Even though, as today’s guest Dan White Jr. says, those "monsters" are image-bearers of God. In this episode, I speak with Dan White, Jr., about what causes polarization and how we can begin to heal from it.
THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE
- Dan White, Jr., is a Movement Developer for V3 Movement, church-planting and author of Love Over Fear: Facing Monsters, Befriending Enemies, and Healing Our Polarized World.
- Dan recently read Living Into Community by Christine Pohl. This book riffs off of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Life Together.
- Dan shares what led him to write Love Over Fear.
- The book is a deep dive into how fear can control us.
- Dan describes how polarization involves the process of taking people who have something in common and turning them toward hate for one another.
- In a polarized culture, moving toward one another with love can feel like complicity.
- Dan explains some of the neurology involved in polarization.
- Some of the disciples came from vastly different backgrounds. Yet, Jesus was able to bring them together.
- Jesus brings people together by being indiscriminate in his table fellowship.
- When we have compassion toward someone, we are able to see where they are suffering in their life.
- We can start connecting with people who are different by simply being inquisitive, by asking them questions.
- Dan tells the story of connecting with someone who believed strongly in legalizing marijuana. Dan began by simply asking him inquisitive questions.
- We have a tendency to make “monsters” out of people we disagree with.
- Jesus didn’t see monsters. He saw image-bearers.
- Find out more about Dan White, Jr., at www.loveoverfearproect.com. And follow Dan on Twitter and Facebook.
RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS
- Dan White, Jr.:
- Website: https://www.loveoverfearproject.com/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/danwhitejr
- Books mentioned:
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