Book Review: Red Letters

Thomas asked me before our vacation to Vermont if I was interested in reading and then reviewing two books that needed to be reviewed for Everyday Liturgy, I quickly agreed to the offer because I did not have any books to bring with me on our vacation. I read Red Letters and Fields of the Fatherless in about 14 days, so rest assured they are not overwhelming and also bare in mind that I am not a fast reader.

Tom Davis’s Red Letters:Living A Faith That Bleeds states in the beginning of the book that the premise was to allow the reader to be transformed through the awareness of the power and urgency of the red letters in the Bible. Davis articulates that there is a clear and deliberate reason why Bibles highlight Jesus’ words red, because God in human form is speaking and it is very important that the those who read it understand and take action. He writes with conviction when he discusses the crippling effects A.I.D.S. has had on Africa and how Christians must intercede in a tangible way. He speaks of the overcrowded and ill equipped orphanages that are tucked away in Russia’s heart land, and how children are forced out around the age of 15-17 and are expected to adapt and survive on their own.

When reading this book one can see that Tom Davis has great admiration for Bono (the front man for U2) because he has been both proactive and reactive to the needs and disparity of Africa.  It would be so easy for a rock star such as Bono to just sit back and enjoy all his success but he has taken deliberate action to serve others, fighting for the survival of the next generation that is struggling throughout the African continent. Regardless of how you personally feel about Bono or the music of U2 do not let that distract you when you are reading because Tom has such poignant words about Christians and effective service. 

Davis wants to let you know that if you have the means, you must be radical for the kingdom of God.  Even if you are limited, he encourages you to be effective, relevant, and serve in tangible ways for the blessing of others (and yourself). While reading this book I was frequently reminded of a talk that Bishop N.T. Wright gave that Thomas, his grandmother, and I attended where he stated “Christians, Catholic or Protestant must bring the kingdom of Heaven to Earth.” I feel that that statement really gives a birds-eye-view into the book the Red Letters.

On our most recent vacation I asked Sarah if she would like to read two of Tom Davis’s books, Red Letters:Living A Faith That Bleeds and Fields of the Fatherless: Discover the Joy of Compassionate Living.  On vacation, we were also able to sample some of the delightful organic, fair-trade coffee from Saint’s Coffee that will help support Davis’s ministry to orphans. If you like your coffee super-strong and black like Sarah and I do, go with the Saint George the Dragonslayer blend.