Episode 123: With Dan Darling: When Division is Incentivized

All Things

One major reason unity in our nation, families, and churches is so fragile is because division and cynicism have been incentivized. We all stand to gain a lot when we retreat to our own corners and tribes.

It’s easier to sit in an echo chamber and be told you are right than to wrestle with different perspectives.

Less gracious, more extreme opinions get more clicks, followers, and campaign donations.

It costs us nothing to think ill of the other side, create caricatures, and retreat—but it costs us a lot to move toward one another.

Division pays, but unity requires sacrifice.

On this episode of All Things I’m talking with Daniel Darling, a cultural commentator, author, pastor, and professor, who regularly appears in mainstream media to talk about current events and trends through a Christian lens (you know that’s my fave).

Dan and I talk about:

- Why we bother engaging in culture anyway—especially when it can be costly personally and professionally.

- Why 2020 was such a watershed moment for division amongst Americans.

- How some issues are worth dividing over, but most are not.

- How it’s costly, but so worth it, to fight for unity.

- How Christians will indeed be judged by the outside by how well we love one another on the inside.

- How you and I can determine to be people who fight cynicism and move toward unity.

- How God’s best days are not behind him. He is at work here and now.

- We are called to go (Great Commission) and we are called to love (Great Commandment) and with God’s help, every Christian really can do both!

In a world of cynicism and division, be a hopeful stayer. This conversation is so helpful and encouraging!

Resources mentioned in the episode:

How the Nations Rage: Rethinking Faith and Politics in a Divided Age, by Jonathan Leeman: https://amzn.to/3otDdC1

Forgive: Why Should I and How Can I? by Tim Keller: https://amzn.to/3BUb7mA

Agents of Grace: How to Bridge Divides and Love as Jesus Loved, by Daniel Darling: https://us.10ofthose.com/product/9780310366324/agents-of-grace-paperback

A Way with Words: Using Our Online Conversations for Good, by Daniel Darling: https://us.10ofthose.com/product/9781535995368/a-way-with-words-paperback

The Dignity Revolution: Reclaiming God's Rich Vision for Humanity, by Daniel Darling: https://amzn.to/3oBDh2u

Keep in touch with Dan Darling at https://danieldarling.com/