Boone, Dan - A Charitable Discourse: Talking About the Things That Divide Us

[Matt Zimmer]

I so rarely post about new releases from Beacon Hill Press for a variety of reasons - one because I don't want to come off "sales pitchy" - but I just couldn't help myself this time!

I just finished reading the "HOT OFF THE PRESS" release of Dan Boone's, A Charitable Discourse.

NazNet has never been shy about openly discussing the "tough issues" that we face in society and especially those issues as they relate to the local church or clergy. Well, Dan has come out with a book to help us all think and discuss the issues that maybe some would rather not address.

In the first section of the book, he begins with seven (not exhaustive) means by which people sabotage charitable discourse within the Body of Christ. For some, both clergy and laity, these chapters will be sad reminders of squabbles from days gone by or those we are engaged with now that squelch healthy conversation and the Biblical approach of disagreeing with a brother or sister. Things such as labeling, half-truths, grandstanding etc. are addressed in section one. Some real life examples of squabbles are given like the first issue Dan experienced over putting an A/C unit in the church he pastored as a newly minted 16 year-old pastor.

Section two, in my opinion is "the meat" of the book. It's entitled "Issues that Divide Us." you can view the TOC on this on the BHP product page. Your interest will be piqued I'm sure.

Section three concludes with how to move on in a positive direction. It's entitled, "The More Excellent Way." These chapters are really starter points to consider when thinking about a variety of topics and issues on various fronts.

Although this book is not set up as a small group type piece, I could envision some church small groups using it to engage in healthy conversation. I could also see this book being used by NazNetters to engage in conversation. finally, this book has an ongoing online element that features a FB page dedicated to the book. Various topics have unique Q and A toggles that feature Q's from TNU undergrads with his responses. This is sort of a "live" section of the FB link.

Note: Dan does use this book as an opportunity to lay to rest his side of various 'tall tales' concerning TNU rumors in recent years. Not everyone gets a forum of defense like a book to lay out the truth of various negative accusations, however Dan does not abuse this opportunity in the book.

I would reveal my fav chapters, but in case your curious parts of this book really moved me to near tears and other parts made me jump for joy with sound reason and very sound and balanced Biblical approach as well as a strong frame of Wesleyan perspective.

Thanks NazNetters! Maybe we'll see you at M11?

Matt

[Jim Abrams]

I got my copy of A Charitable Discourse this week. I'm just finishing the book I am currently reading and can hardly wait to get into it. Thanks for the information about the FB Page. I really appreciate the fine work being done by leaders in our denomination to guide difficult and emotionally charged conversations in the way of Christlikeness. How we handle one another in duologue is such an overlooked element to the holy life and is becoming even more important in this age of instant communication. Matt, please extend my thanks to the Publishing House for this project.

[Dan Ross]

I so rarely post about new releases from Beacon Hill Press for a variety of reasons - one because I don't want to come off "sales pitchy" - but I just couldn't help myself this time!

I just finished reading the "HOT OFF THE PRESS" release of Dan Boone's, A Charitable Discourse.

Matt

Thanks. I just ordered this book because of your post.

[Rich Schmidt]

Thanks. I just ordered this book because of your post.

Ditto.

Though, I'll admit, I ordered it from Amazon.com, along with some other books I was ordering.

[Houston Thomas]

Dan is one of the best writers/thinkers in the denomination. Can't wait to read this. So thankful for his guts and grace.

[James Johnson]

I too will be getting this book, Dan Boone is not only a good writer and thinker, he's a good man!

[Rich Schmidt]

My copy arrived in today's mail. Hopefully I'll get to read it soon.

[G R 'Scott' Cundiff]

Dr. Boone gave a radio interview on the book - it's quite good and pertains to so many of the discussions we have here on NazNet and also out in the "real world."

[Chris Easton]

I heard people say they were worried about Dan and the students he teaches after attending his session at M11. that prompted me to order the book. I am sure I will love it! It is in my stack will get to it soon!

[Rich Schmidt]

I heard people say they were worried about Dan and the students he teaches after attending his session at M11. that prompted me to order the book. I am sure I will love it! It is in my stack will get to it soon!

Worried? In what sense?

[Ryan Scott]

My copy is in the mail.

[Ryan Scott]

I heard people say they were worried about Dan and the students he teaches after attending his session at M11. that prompted me to order the book. I am sure I will love it! It is in my stack will get to it soon!

Dan's more conservative than most of the students he teaches. I doubt there's any evil brainwashing going on.

[Jim Abrams]

I'm about finished my copy. It's a gutsy project for a college president to undertake and I am appreciative to Dr. Boone and Trevecca for this grace-filled gift to the church. I would have paid $43 for the first 43 pages alone - it's worth at least that much. Thanks to the Pub house for making it available at less than it is worth. Have to admit that when reading the the chapter, letters from the Silent Pews my heart was broken and I wept a bit. I've started talking about this book to my lay people and recommend it to any leader in the church.

[Ryan Scott]

Good, solid book. A thorough treatment of our interactions with each other. I especially enjoyed the final chapter on the litmus test.

[Marcus Kibbe]

I read this book this past week... and since the book is about openly discussing things that divide, allow me to mention one point of contention that seemed to catch my eye multiple times (pg 144, 160, 171), and that is: Women in the Biblical Church. Interestingly, this seemed to be the one subject Boone was not interested in having an open dialogue, and loath to the possibility that he could be wrong. Although to be fair, he does respectably and humbly state on page 45:

"My prediction is that readers may wholeheartedly agree with me in one chapter and find themselves diametrically opposed in the next. And the reader may be right. I am still growing in understanding the Scriptures, and my reasoning powers are far from perfect."

He begins with a simple dismissal of the "created order" with a straw man fallacy on page 49:

Some have said that the creation order suggests superiority - the male first, the female later. But if this is the case, man is inferior to plants, animals, and insects

and he then makes a distinction fallacy by assuming those who hold to complementarianism are also fundamentalists(page 50):

This is where an impasse occurs for fundamentalists. If your way of viewing scripture forbids interpreting the Scriptures through biblical hermeneutics or the use of historical methods to study the Bible, the conversation ends here. The literal word is taken at face value without regard for the culture, the historical context, the understanding of the author, or the belief that the Spirit can speak through the preached word to current situations today. You will not bring reason, human experience, or doctrinal traditions to the task of interpreting these texts. If this is your position, what follows will make little sense to you. But if you believe that the Spirit of God can work through godly people to speak fresh words to situations that didn't even exist in the first century, then you may wish to read on.

This was the most "uncharitable paragraph" in the entire book... a presumptuous caricature that does not encourage open dialogue to those with opposing views. He goes on to make the expected "cultural" arguments and in my opinion fails to deal fairly with the complementarian position.

Boone mentions his nonessential list on page 160 which includes:

... the right for a woman to preach (although this comes close to being an essential for me)

I would have liked to have seen a more charitable position with this subject instead of the cavalier dismissal. Overall though, I enjoyed the book.

[Ryan Scott]

He begins with a simple dismissal of the "created order" with a straw man fallacy on page 49:

I thought this was given too short a treatment. What he said doesn't hold a ton of weight, but there is much more that could have been said concerning the Genesis account and its implications for the place of women. The chapter, as a whole, was lacking in the necessary depth. I imagine Dan would agree. I suspect it has more to do with the editors and publisher than on what Dan would like to say.

We may also have to take into account that these individual chapters were taken from chapel presentations, which limit the length and depth - Dan also could take for granted that the students listening would have more in depth discussions of these issues and texts in their required bible classes. Readers of the book don't necessarily have the same chance.

The women in ministry section was, in my opinion, the place most deserving of extra attention.

[Jeremy Smallwood]

Dan spoke at NTS's commencement last week, and he was fantastic. I just started my copy, and I look forward to seeing where he goes in it.

[Bruce Barnard]

Has anyone used this book as a small group curriculum...?...

[Jim Hullinger]

Has anyone used this book as a small group curriculum...?...

Bruce, I haven't heard of it being used in a small group but it sure would be a good idea. It's one of the best books I've seen come out of the publishing house in a long time. It deserves lots of attention.

[Matt Zimmer]

Look for some small group pieces available on NPH.com around August 15th. The leader's guide and videos will be in download media only. I believe the LG will go for $14.99 and each video $2.99. I'll keep everyone posted. I would think that immediate access would be helpful though? Again, more details soon.

Matt

[Cam Pence]

I am about half way through it right now and must say that I respect greatly Dr. Boone's humble heart throughout. I think most of us as brothers and sisters in Christ could always benefit from more "holy conversations". Hopefully will finish by tomorrow.

[Lucas Finch]

So I just discovered that there is a Facebook page for A Charitable Discourse. It has several Q&A .pdfs that can be downloaded to help with further questions and conversations that may arise from the book. Here is the page:

https://www.facebook.com/CharitableD...app_4949752878

[Matt Zimmer]

The video segments for small groups are here. The download small group piece should land soon.

[Dwain Butler]

Dr. Boone gave a radio interview on the book - it's quite good and pertains to so many of the discussions we have here on NazNet and also out in the "real world."

Yes, Dan Boone handled the questions from the interviewer, who could be classified as hostile to the concept of the book, quite well and didn't allow himself to be diverted from positive responses. Dan's book is great. We are currently using it for a Special Topics SS Class and are thoroughly enjoying the "charitable" interactions on difficult issues that Dan handles so well.

[G R 'Scott' Cundiff]

Yes, Dan Boone handled the questions from the interviewer, who could be classified as hostile to the concept of the book, quite well and didn't allow himself to be diverted from positive responses. Dan's book is great. We are currently using it for a Special Topics SS Class and are thoroughly enjoying the "charitable" interactions on difficult issues that Dan handles so well.

I'm glad folks are enjoying the book. I imagine it makes a good SS topic.

Also...welcome to NazNet - your first post nearly got by unnoticed!

[Peggy Gray]

I just finished reading "A Charitable Discourse"--I can't remember the last time I hurried to finish whatever I was doing so I could get back to my book. I think I underlined nearly a whole chapter. And about half the other chapters.