Book Review: Neighborliness by David Docusen

When asked what the greatest commandment is, "Jesus replied, 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" (Matthew 22:37-39) Sounds simple enough, right? Besides, obeying the second commandment should flow naturally from obeying the first commandment. If we love God, we will love people. In reality, we still struggle to love people like Jesus...with agape love that is unconditional, sacrificial, and selfless. We are to love everyone regardless of their racial or economic backgrounds. Neighborliness is a call-to-action book that challenges readers to actively seek friendship with people who come from different backgrounds, cross dividing lines, and transform their communities. I like the definition of neighborliness given by the author: "Neighborliness is the embodiment of Jesus to those around us; it means taking on His characteristics of love, grace, and genuine interest in others; it is pursuing love and justice while simultaneously taking action to bring more of both into the world." The author is passionate about helping the body of Christ learn to speak up and live out genuine love that breaks down all barriers. David Docusen invites readers to listen more, learn more, understand more, and engage more regarding the complex issues of racism and socio-economic inequality. Pride and prejudice come in various shades and forms. In order to work together towards peace and unity, we must be patient, humble, vulnerable, gracious, and willing to examine our motives and lifestyles. There is so much beauty and strength in diversity. We must recognize our commonalities and celebrate/appreciate our differences. The author uses information from his research, real life scenarios, and his own personal experiences to give us hope that neighborliness is doable. By the way, I learned a new word from this book: gentrification.

This book is practical and insightful. Each chapter includes selected Scriptures, discussion prompts (thought-provoking questions), and suggested next step. You will also find a list of recommended resources (books, podcasts, and links) at the end of the book. Neighborliness is an important read for any Christians who want to do better at the second greatest commandment. It is a wonderful, inspiring material not only for an individual study but also for a small group study.

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