Book Recommendation by
Tom Bilbro: In Search of the Common Good

Book Recommendation by
Tom Bilbro: In Search of the Common Good

Many Christian thinkers have wrestled with the reality of an America clearly moving further away from Christian beliefs and underlying Christian values. Jake Meador, a fellow believer and member of a PCA church, has recently published a book in which he addresses the topic: In Search of the Common Good: Christian Fidelity in a Fractured World (from Amazon or Christianbook). The book begins with a thoughtful forward by Timothy Keller that is worth reading on its own.

There seems to be broad agreement among Christians that our society is in decline. It is only too obvious that families and communities are falling apart, a point emphasized by the current violent protests playing out in our cities. When it comes to an explanation of why the decline is happening, or maybe even more importantly, what is to be done about it, agreement is more difficult to come by. In this book, not only does Meador thoughtfully summarize the work of many thinkers regarding the broader problem, but he lays out a number of areas where the church has failed to fulfill her role and in so doing, has contributed to this decline. Not stopping there, he goes on to describe a number of practical steps Christians can take to restore the role of the church in our communities.

As mentioned, protests are playing out these days in most major American cities. What is at the heart of these displays of anger and hurt? The deep ideas that form the foundation of justice are truly Christian. That each person is of equal value because all are made in God’s image is the only truth capable of supporting the notion of justice. The idea of justice is ingrained in every heart, and that is why injustice unleashes such a wave of anger. Meador’s book has a message that is timely, carefully addressing the causes and potential remediation of this current national upheaval, as well as the more general problems that have contributed to the decline of our communities over the last decades.

Even though Meador spends a fair amount of his book on what is wrong with our communities, and some specific ways the church’s failures have contributed to these wrongs, his book is ultimately a book of hope. The basis of the hope that Meador proclaims is summarized on page 157:

“..the coming advent of the eternal city, a place where there are no more tears or sickness or sadness. And as we consider how to be faithful citizens of that city, we can find real grounds for hope as we are citizens of our earthly cities.”

It is in possessing an accurate long view that allows us to faithfully build and serve our communities right now.

My recommendation during this time of restricted movement and street violence is that you get a copy of In Search of the Common Good: Christian Fidelity in a Fractured World. Maybe like me, you will be challenged and grow more hopeful.