The Disparate Ones: Essays On Being in the World but Not of the World

Ranging topics from food to war to abortion to political parties to using the word "impactful," author and public theologian, Marty Duren, addresses how Christians should understand themselves in this world. What does it mean to be "in the world but not of the world"? How can Christians, especially in America, address the overwhelming influence of politics on the faith?

With biblical fidelity, cultural clarity, and unusual profundity, Duren covers a broad swath of cultural ground to show what it might look like to Christians to successfully hold the tension of living in two worlds.

In prose at that same time illuminating, scripturally careful, compassionate, and challenging, Duren addresses some of the major concerns of our day, showing that the life lived in Christ should not fall to being a mere rubber-stamp for politicals winds, whether prevailing or not. Instead, those who follow Jesus Christ should look to the city with foundations whose builder and maker is God. This book will help Christians better inhabit our cities on Earth without giving up heavenly treasure for worldly kingdoms. Living in this world requires nothing less.

Author: Marty Duren
Publisher: Missional Press
Published: 01/21/2025
Pages: 168
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.29lbs
Size: 7.00h x 4.00w x 0.39d
ISBN: 9781736282182

About the Author
Edwards, Melvin E.: - Melvin E. Edwards is a 6th-generation Texan, who was an award-winning newspaper reporter and columnist before entering the colorful and ambitious world of Texas politics. He started his career writing about Texas high school football and within a few short years, he was a speechwriter for the Lieutenant Governor and Governor of Texas.He has since written two award-winning books tracing generations of his Texas family back to its Republic of Texas days, making him one of the first African American members of the Sons of the Republic of Texas. These personal stories show how generations of the family's simple faith carried on when circumstances suggested a dead-end. Mel is now the host and producer of the podcast "Stories from Real Life." You can hear new episodes of that interview-format podcast every Tuesday morning on Goodpods, Spotify, Apple, iHeart, Audible, Audacy, and Amazon Music.He has the rarest Myers-Briggs personality type in the world (INFJ), which could explain why he loves cowboy boots, hats, and baseball, and can imagine stories so big, they make even Texas seem small.Duren, Marty: - Marty Duren is a longtime pastor, writer, public theologian, and communications specialist. His has a special interest in Christian interaction with the culture. His several blogs, the latest of which is Kingdom in the Midst, have accumulated more than 2 million pageviews. He's the author of The Generous Soul: An Introduction to Missional Giving and co-author with Todd Wright of Journeys: Transitioning Churches to Relevance. He's the host of Uncommontary, a conversational podcast, named a Must Listen by Christianity Today. Marty is a reluctant runner, a tsundoku practitioner, a happily married husband to Sonya, Dad to four adult kids, Pawpaw to two, and co-wrangler of a collie, Watson, and a calico, Scout.