EMQ » April–June 2018 » Volume 54 Issue 2
[memberonly folder=”Members, EMQ2YearFolder, EMQ1YearFolder”]Book Review
Engaging Globalization: The Poor, Christian Mission, and Our Hyperconnected World
Mission in Global Community Series
Baker Academic, Grand Rapids, MI, 2017
ISBN: 978-0801097980
304 pages
USD $26.99
Reviewed by Dennis J. Horton, associate professor of religion and director of ministry guidance, Baylor University, Waco, Texas.
Globalization is complex, highly debated, and often misunderstood. A number of Christians, acting out of fear, seek to resist globalization. Others, because of its complexity, have given up trying to understand it. Instead, they attempt to ignore this global-sized elephant walking around the room. Bryant Myers in his book, Engaging Globalization, offers a balanced approach to this topic, helping Christians understand the history and effects of globalization and how they can get involved in order to play a constructive role in the globalized world community.
Due to the complexity of his task, Myers breaks his work into six basic sections. He first provides an overview of the book and describes the twin foundations—theological affirmations and complex adaptive social systems—on which he builds his understanding of globalization and how Christians can most effectively engage it. In the following three sections, Myers describes globalization in depth. Its wide net encompasses the domains of technology, economics, governance, culture, and human beings. The author depicts two major eras of globalization. The first era began with the first human beings and continues to the present, being fueled by migration, conquest, and mission. The second era of globalization began in the 1800s and also continues through the present, connecting the nations and people of the world more closely together through advances in technology and a global market system. Myers uses the final two sections of the book to dissect the impact of globalization on the poor and how Christians can influence the shape and effects of globalization as it moves forward.
This book allows the readers to take a step back, see the bigger picture of globalization with all of its many issues, and then discover ways to become actively involved in order to make life-giving contributions. The author combines his academic insights with 30 years of practical experience of working with the poor through his leadership positions at World Vision. He discerns both the positive contributions of globalization and its destructive dark side. He acknowledges some of the missteps of Christian missionaries, but he also corrects the false caricature of missionaries as being insensitive to the needs of the people, noting the contributions that former missionaries made in the struggle for justice. Myers warns of influential conceptual systems or “globalisms” which by themselves fail to understand the complexity of human nature, the use and abuse of power, and the “human hunger for meaning and morality” (p. 208). The author rightly encourages Christians to step into the globalization process and actively make a difference.
Myers communicates his message clearly. He provides an overview at the beginning of each chapter, presents the content in a comprehensible manner, and offers summaries to conclude each chapter followed by discussion questions. He transforms complicated, though essential, materials into accessible reading for both graduate and upper-level undergraduate students as well as educated Christian ministers and laity. In so doing, Myers provides valuable insights to promote Christian engagement in a highly globalized environment.
For Further Reading
Groody, Daniel G. Globalization, Spirituality, and Justice: Navigating a Path to Peace. Rev. ed. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2015.
Stackhouse, Max L. Globalization and Grace, Volume 4, God and Globalization Series. New York: T&T Clark, 2009.
