Best Books
All That’s Good
Frederick Douglas once wrote that his thoughts of America sometimes moved from rapture and joy to mourning and loathing. His assessment of society should resonate with every person of faith, for our world is filled with both virtue and evil, the lovely and the hideous. If we are not careful and intentional, the gifts of God can be obscured by the ugliness that surrounds us.
Being intentional about how we view the world is the primary concern of Hannah Anderson’s new book, All That’s Good, Recovering the Lost Art of Discernment (Moody Publishers). Anchored on Paul’s command that we should dwell on what is true, honorable, just, pure and commendable, Anderson invites us to use discernment when we engage our society. We should endeavor to see the world as God sees it. Yes, it is filled with the obscene and the tragic, but it is also filled with grace and beauty. What we choose to focus on is up to us. How we speak to our neighbor and post on social media is also our choice to make. Is it true? Is it just? Is it commendable? How much better the world would be if every disciple of Jesus asked such questions on a daily basis.
Reading All That’s Good encouraged me to reassess where I focus my attention throughout the week. I should be informed about the world, speak the truth, and actively resist evil. But I should never let the darkness overwhelm the beauty that God has placed in my life. I must choose whether or not to live in proleptic gratitude, anticipating the day when God will obliterate all that’s bad, the truth will be fully known, and justice will be established forever. On that day Jesus will look over his redeemed creation and declare, at last, “It is good.”
-Darrel Holcombe, Owner
Sanctuary Christian Books and Gifts
Colonial Promenade, Alabaster
205-663-2370
