"Claiming the Courageous Middle" (Shirley A. Mullen)

TITLE: Claiming the Courageous Middle: Daring to Live and Work Together for a More Hopeful Future
AUTHOR: Shirley A. Mullen
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2024, (200 pages).
 

"The nation is divided." "Society is broken." "Why can't we all just get along?" These are common phrases heard these days. From politics to religious matters; human rights to social justice; systemic racism to various inequalities; people are becoming more vocal about their stand. This has led to a host of problems never seen before in the previous century. Largely driven by social media's ease and speed of public expression, people are arguing not just in public places but also on private platforms. In such a polarized climate, there is a tendency for all sides to drag people and opinions either to the left or to the right. Diversity can be divisive. What about the middle? Up comes the notion of a "courageous middle." Seeing the deep divisions across America today, author Shirley Mullen sees the need for this position more than ever. As the world gets pulled apart by binary mindsets, it becomes a challenge to find a middle ground for all. Mullen urges the expansion of the middle space that sees the common good and also does not necessarily take sides. She aims directly at three groups of people. The first group includes those that stereotype the middle position negatively. The second group is for those who want to play the role of peacemakers and reconciliation. The third group is for those who tend to lament but seem helpless to do anything about it. Driven by her concern for the rising levels of polarization in society, media, and churches, she recognizes a sizable number of undecided people; who are on neither end of the poles; or unwittingly caught up in the middle. Mullen argues that taking the middle is "one form of faithful witness" for Jesus. 

Starting with her journey of doubt and faith in Chapter One, Mullen shares her struggle to find her position. The middle space for her is that space to explore what doubt is leading her to and where faith can be anchored upon. She straddles between the excesses of legalism and liberalism. She tells us about her journey from student to professor, and how history shaped her to be a "person of the courageous middle." Through it all, she learns that there are no simplistic answers to life and that staying in the middle does not mean indecision but a way to recognize reality as complex and messy. Chapter Two describes the origins of "middle space" and how it has become more important today. She claims that the middle space was the product of constant tensions and complexity between the opposing poles of contention. See it as an opportunity for witnessing instead of any perceived threats. In Chapter Three, Mullen shows us the biblical basis for the middle space. Through stories, the Bible points out the complexities of life. God's position often reveals His patience in the middle, taking action when necessary and refraining at other times. While there are instances of binary decision-making, there are also many situations where God chooses to be silent. Some examples of characters playing in the middle space include Joseph, Moses, Daniel, Esther, and Paul. Chapter Four weighs the pros and cons of the middle position. The key theme revolves around the adoption of either absolute or relative positions. When do we affirm an absolute truth and when do we stay non-committal. Chapter Five shows us how we can become active participants in the arena of the "courageous middle." We can also teach others the value of such a position without betraying the original causes they stand for. 

My Thoughts

First, I think Mullen has an important message that deserves to be clearly communicated. With rising complexity that is creating more polarizing views, we should not be too quick to jump into any camp uncritically. There will be pressures to conform but the bigger reason for restraint is seeking Truth. Like what the author has alluded to, there is a big difference between affirming what is true versus being right. Just because we have convictions about something does not necessarily mean we have the whole Truth. Mullen understands the challenges of entering and remaining in the middle space. She recognizes that complex situations do not warrant a binary solution. At the same time, we need to fight the urge to jump to conclusions. We also need to explain to others why we choose to remain in the middle.

Second, the middle position can also be easily misunderstood. When the tensions are high and the urgency to support any group is great, we can get caught in an "either-for-us-or-against-us" paradigm. Thus, we need the tools to explain our position with minimal judgment from others. This is a difficult but necessary task especially if we want to let Truth arise. This calls for discernment which brings in the importance of prayer and spiritual disciplines. Our society is becoming more impatient than ever. We need to raise a community of believers who would learn to discern when to wait and when to act. Waiting is often the more difficult discipline because it can be branded as indecisive or indifferent. There is merit in the middle position and we need to stay there when the tensions are high. 

Third, Christians are often called to stand for the Truth, and the middle position might very well be that necessary stand. I have long heard that indecision is a position in itself. This book helps nuance that middle position into one of waiting rather than indecision. Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God. By taking the middle position, we can better appreciate the merits and the demerits at both ends. Staying in the middle lifts us out of the pressure to conform to the extreme radical ideas that come from misplaced convictions. Hopefully that will create a bigger space for people to get along and to share ideas without judging others. 

Finally, is taking the middle stand an act of courage, cowardice, indifference, or indecision? For a start, it sounds like a mixture of everything. Staying in the middle is often a stance of the undecided. That said, Mullen clarifies by saying it is an "active" middle, meaning an "underground resistance movement." It is not sitting on the fence but waiting for the fuller Truth to appear. 

Shirley A. Mullen (PhD, University of Minnesota; PhD, University of Wales) served as president of Houghton College for fifteen years before retiring in 2021. She spent four decades in the work of faith-based liberal arts education as a professor, residence life director, chief academic officer, and president. As president emerita for Houghton University, Mullen continues to speak, write, and consult as part of her ongoing commitment to encourage and invest in the next generation of leaders through mentoring and serving on the boards of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, Jericho Road Community Health Center, the National Association of Evangelicals, Fuller Theological Seminary, and the 1st Amendment Partnership.

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5.

conrade

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This book has been provided courtesy of Baker Academic via NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.