Doug Kingsriter

On Keeping My Mouth Shut in Sunday School

Ethics, Culture & Social Issues

“After reading this brief book, I feel a bit like I was playing against the Bears as I did forty years ago, catching short passes from Fran Tarkenton for critical first downs toward a touchdown. The book isn’t long enough to be a ‘Hail Mary’ pass but it makes those kinds of low-percentage passes unnecessary with its biblical and progressive pitch for peacemaking. The Bears’ Dick Butkus, All-Pro middle linebacker who dominated the field, also comes to mind in this connection. A play calling for a short pass over the middle brought about immediate terror to me. The imagery is not unlike the challenges we face daily, warring against principalities and powers that this hard-hitting author accentuates. Our opposition confronts us with fear and the intent to diminish our faith. Thanks be to God for his word, and for the fearless followers of Jesus like the peacemaking Apostle Paul and Tolstoy and Franz Jägerstätter and William Jennings Bryan, all of whom fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith. My prayer is for others who come to read this book to experience the daily renewing of their minds so that their faith is readily present in all circumstances.”