Becoming All Things: How Small Changes Lead to Lasting Connections Across Cultures

Reviewed by:

Charles Harrell Johnson, III from West Chicago, Illinois, a Professional Writing student at Taylor University in Upland, IN.

REVIEW INTRODUCTION

Title:

Becoming All Things: How Small Changes Lead to Lasting Connections Across Cultures

Author:

Michelle Ami Reyes

Publisher:

Zondervan Reflective

https://www.zondervan.com/zondervanreflective/

Publication Date:

2021

Format:

Print Book

Page Length:

184

OVERVIEW

As a nation, where do we start healing our cultural wounds? In the non-fiction book Becoming All Things: How Small Changes Lead to Lasting Connections Across Cultures, Dr. Michelle Ami Reyes seeks to dismantle various cultural issues in the lives of her readers by focusing on the concept of accommodation. Taking a practical approach, Dr. Reyes teaches readers how to forge respectful cross-cultural connections. Becoming All Things is a much-needed handbook on bridging cultural divides in modern America. We must end America’s long-standing commitment to “white is right” for culture, identity, and meaning; instead, we must begin to pursue what it means to become all things to all people, remembering that we all have the imago Dei (image of God).

As an Indian American, Dr. Reyes relates her heartbreaking experiences with racism and discrimination. Every detail in this book is supported by her own experiences. In the beginning, Dr. Reyes discusses cultural identity and how to develop it. She then tackles stereotypes, cultural appropriation, and how to change our perspectives on justice. She ends the book by encouraging everyone to be patient and persevere in becoming all things to all people for the glory of God.

Dr. Reyes skillfully approaches the topic of cultural accommodation. Each page addresses social problems with insightful advice for all people, especially for white Americans. Dr. Reyes uses precise wording to evoke both emotional and spiritual understanding of different cultures. Additionally, the book’s supporting ideas back up its thesis by explaining the reasons for cultural differences. These ideas include stereotyping, cultural appropriation, gentrification, and racism. The book then offers solutions to these problems from a biblically based Christian perspective.

Becoming All Things offers practical wisdom to help Christians from different backgrounds bridge racial divides. Through her powerful testimony and clear instruction, Dr. Reyes breaks down cultural barriers in the name of Jesus Christ. She shows us that now is the time to heal our nation’s wounds.

 ASSESSMENT

Rating:

5 out of 5

Suggested Audience

Due to the mature subject matter, I believe this book is for teens and above.

Christian Impact

I feel that this book is very much needed in Christian schools, churches, and small groups.

Other Notes

The book was written by Dr. Michelle Ami Reyes, an Indian American woman. Dr. Reyes is the Vice President of the Asian American Christian Collaborative and the Co-Executive Director of Pax. Dr. Reyes is also the Scholar in Residence at Hope Community Church. This church is a minority-led multicultural church in Austin, Texas. Her husband, Aaron, serves as head pastor. Dr. Reyes’s work in the fields of faith and culture has been shown in Christianity Today, The Gospel Coalition, Mission Alliance, Faithfully Magazine, and more.

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