A PERSONAL MESSAGE FROM THE AUTHOR
When I began this research and writing project over five years ago I wanted to clarify my own personal theology. In particular I sought to understand the connection between my theology and the three major global moral issues of our age. I wanted to “grind a theological lens” through which I could see the world more clearly and understand how my faith might speak to these moral issues. What began as something very personal became a book which, I believe, will prove helpful to people with three concerns. I think this book will address persons who want honesty, those who are concerned for advocacy, and those who desire a more prophetic ministry.

Honesty. Modern people who still value religious faith are seeking credibility and relevance in applying their faith to contemporary political and moral issues. Such credibility begins with honesty about various levels of “reality” including the historical reality of scripture, our present economic and political reality (i.e. globalism), and the scientific reality discerned by biologists and physicists. Differences between religious reality and empirical reality which have us pretend to live in different worlds are neither credible nor relevant. This book proposes one reality suggested by an integration of religious tradition, social analysis, and the learnings of modern science.

Advocacy. We make changes in our American polity by being advocates who stir peoples’ consciences and change votes. Advocates who are also people of faith are often viewed as people with a “special interest.” Our advocacy is often viewed as a “side show” to be tolerated rather than one central to the expression of faith. The theological lens I propose is based on biblical scholarship, science, and the thinking of contemporary theologians that provides a solid foundation for advocacy, and asserts the centrality of advocacy in the expression of our faith.

Prophetic ministry. The lens I develop helps us see the social dimension in scripture and in our world. Without this, there cannot be a prophetic ministry which measures what is happening in our world against the standard of God’s justice. This is a lens which corrects a view that is narrowly individualistic and psychological, and which neglects the economic and political powers of our world that bear down on us and shape our lives. Such a lens helps us to be more truthful about our social reality. It helps us see a reality grounded in the Spirit, and therefore, grounded in a hope which knows that the potentiality for realizing justice and peace lies within our dysfunctional socio-political realities.
My hope is that this book will be helpful to all who “wrestle” with the integrity of being faithful to the Spirit and respond to the call of justice and peace.

Sincerely,
John R. Preston

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