Empowered to Repair: Becoming People Who Mend Broken Systems and Heal Our Communities

Brenda Salter McNeil. Brazos, $19.99 trade paper (160p) ISBN 978-1-58743-448-8

McNeil (Becoming Brave), an associate professor of reconciliation at Seattle Pacific University, issues an impassioned call for Christians to bridge racial and social divides by drawing on principles from the biblical book of Nehemiah, an account of a high-ranking Persian official who rebuilds Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. To mend “broken relationships and systems” with “forgiveness [and] justice,” readers are encouraged to ask questions to uncover “core issues,” following the example of Nehemiah, who inquired about the conditions of the Jews in Jerusalem. Elsewhere, McNeil draws lessons on how to form diverse coalitions and empathize with others as they suffer injustice (Nehemiah “lamented” for the plight of those who survived the captivity). The biblical narrative serves as a solid organizing framework but doesn’t always add much to Salter’s analysis. For example, readers are reminded that Nehemiah’s project was met with resistance and that they too should anticipate “external and internal challenges” in their repair work. Though discussions of reparations and police and education reform are strewn throughout, some readers may wish for more organized action items. Still, McNeil’s uplifting message is enriched by her poignant personal musings, including how her recollection of Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination highlights the links between faith and social activism. The result is an inspiring starting point for Christians looking to put their beliefs into action. (May)