Holy Disunity, Layton E. Williams
Holy Disunity, Layton E. Williams
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Holy Disunity
How What Separates Us Can Save Us

Author: Layton E. Williams, Diana Butler Bass

Narrator: Kate Mulligan

Unabridged: 9 hr 30 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 12/07/2019

Synopsis

These days, there’s no dirtier word than “divisive,” especially in religious and political circles. Claiming a controversial opinion, talking about our differences, even sharing our doubts can be seen as threatening to the goal of unity. But what if unity shouldn’t be our goal?In Holy Disunity: How What Separates Us Can Save Us, Layton E. Williams proposes that our primary calling as humans is not to create unity but rather to seek authentic relationship with God, ourselves, one another, and the world around us. And that means actively engaging those with whom we disagree. Our religious, political, social, and cultural differences can create doubt and tension, but disunity also provides surprising gifts of perspective and grace. By analyzing conflict and rifts in both modern culture and scripture, Williams explores how our disagreements and differences—our disunity—can ultimately redeem us.

About Layton E. Williams

Layton E. Williams is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and a writer. She previously served as Pastoral Resident at Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago and then as Audience Engagement Editor at Sojourners. She earned a MDiv from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Austin, Texas, and currently lives in Charleston, South Carolina, where she seeks to minister in ways that offer understanding, justice, and relationship in the midst of division.

About Kate Mulligan

Kate Mulligan has acted with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival for more than ten seasons in productions including Hairspray, Alice in Wonderland, and Sense and Sensibility. Her film and television work includes Being John Malkovich and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

About Diana Butler Bass

Diana Butler Bass is the author of numerous books on American religion, including Christianity after Religion, Christianity for the Rest of Us, and A People’s History of Christianity. She holds a PhD in religious studies from Duke University, has taught at the college and graduate level, and is an independent scholar. She was a columnist for the New York Times Syndicate and blogs for the Huffington Post and the Washington Post on issues of religion, spirituality, and culture. She is a popular speaker at conferences, colleges, universities, and churches across North America. She lives in Alexandria, Virginia, with her husband, daughter, and dog. Her website is DianaButlerBass.com and she can be followed on Twitter at @dianabutlerbass.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Bob

Summary: Proposes that difference ought be viewed as gift rather than problem, that difference, and even disunity, as messy as it is in the church, can be a source of growth. Within the Christian community, the existence of difference, disunity, and division is viewed as problematic. These seem to be......more

Goodreads review by Adam

Summary: Unity is important for Christians, but there are times when unity can mask issues of justice and legitimate disagreement. I probably would not have picked this up if it has not been included in Audible Plus Catalog (which means it is free to listen to for audible members.) Generally, I am st......more

Goodreads review by Laura

Some of my favorite parts of this book are Layton’s analysis of Bible stories and her theology woven throughout. Very interesting how the ideas of disunity are still relevant several years later even though the political situation has changed a bit.......more

Goodreads review by Conrade

Many books have been written about unity, about community, and the need to stay together in spite of mounting challenges. One of the key reasons for separation is the lack of openness toward dissenting viewpoints. This is also known as "the idol of unity" where different views are belittled for the......more

Quotes

“Williams uses real-world experience to illustrate how people with different viewpoints can find common ground…Highly recommended for general readers, seminarians, church groups, and local community organizers.” Library Journal

“Layton Williams’s voice and experience are much-needed in our current political, theological, and cultural climate.” Kathy Escobar, author of Faith Shift

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