Christianity Today

I can never get over the fact that our God was with us, and remains with us- he is so close. I anticipate that this book will challenge me and inspire me to lean into this spiritual reality as I am in Christ and with people, bearing witness to Christ as he was and is. I am confident in my anticipation, knowing that Dr. Metzger and each of his works has simultaneously pointed to Jesus at the right hand of God and at Christ in me, the hope of glory.

I really resonate with Dr. Metzger's reflections here. I myself used to seriously prejudge and stereotype people from other faiths and traditions (especially Muslims). All of that changed, however, once I actually met these people whom I had prejudged. Once I became friends with these people I was then able to learn what they actually believe and practice from them, not from what people in my circle (inaccurately) say about what they believe. They were no longer straw-men. Thereafter, I have found myself coming to their defense whenever people in my circle may malign them, because I now take it personally since they are my friends. To be sure, there are major issues my friends believe which I disagree with (and they with me), but now we can discuss our real and actual differences as friends while coming together over a meal (or via Facebook) as we share life together and rejoice in our common ground and bond of friendship.

Dr. Metzger is part of a relatively new and growing group of evangelicals pursuing more incarnational and missional approaches to engaging those in other religions. He recognizes that in a post-Christendom context where the church has less credibility, and one which is pluralistic as well, that this involves loving our religious neighbors, developing relationships, listening, two-way conversations, and acts of hospitality. This is a way worthy of emulation in evangelicalism, and I wish his work well in this through New Wine, New Wineskins, as well as the Evangelical Chapter of the Foundation for Religious Diplomacy.

Rick Cordell, we have over 100 Bhuttanese refugees coming to our church, many Koreans, many Chinese, Indians and hispanics. China sends young pilots to flying school in Portland (its cheaper for them) and we have adopted these young men (they are all men) and invite them to dinner, holidays and church. My family invited 2 to Thanksgiving, it was fun. They are here for only 12 months and they were all atheists when they arrived but many have met the Lord and several have been baptized in water. We now have Korean and Bhuttanese pastors on staff. We are working with an inner city black church in June to evangelize Portland together. Lots going on...I am excited by the move of the Spirit in Portland. e-mail me at rickd@freerange-adv.com.

Mr. Dalbey, as a fellow native Portland conservative Christian, I don't think you grasp how exceptional you are in this community. I've been part of the evangelical ghetto around here for 4+ decades, and think you're in the 1% when it comes to personal involvement with those usually considered as "others." For example, my parents have been deeply involved in international student ministry here in town. God has brought thousands from around the world to our city each year. My best estimate is that there have been less than a hundred families and individuals for most of the last 50 years who have personally ministered to them--only a tiny percentage of those who have belonged to the churches you and I have attended. Too often we prefer to send missionaries abroad instead of knowing and loving individuals from those very lands who live and study (in loneliness) at PSU. And in four years of residence, most never get invited to a Christian home, especially during the holidays. Why?