Uh-oh!: The Evangelical 'Left-Right' Dilemma

Here is a book that encapsulates the turbulent heart, mind, and soul of Joe Noland. I use the word "turbulent" deliberately and positively. It is the word famously used by King Henry II in describing the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket - "this turbulent priest." Thomas spoke truth to power and held the church on course for mission. Joe does the same, incisively, playfully, pointedly.

In the heart of these pages, you will find an unapologetically left-leaning social lens, combined with a robust orthodox evangelical heart, and sage counsel on how to integrate the two. Interspersed throughout is sharp and incisive scriptural exegesis that can stand with the scholarly, deeply personal testimony and Nolandesque witty word plays.

The book reads with energy and pace. His insights on "a flexible heart," "aggressive forgiveness" and "the plumb line" convey the 3 sections of the book. "A Revolutionary Call to Action!" is the climactic crescendo.

One final thought. In the movie Mass Appeal, the actor Jack Lemmon plays a slick, gifted Catholic priest responsible for a large parish. Into his comfortable world comes a young, gifted, turbulent seminarian on assignment. The two immediately clash, and yet they need each other. At one point of interplay, Jack Lemmon exclaims, "You must be crazy! And the church needs crazies. You're one of those precious mavericks that comes along every so often and keeps the church alive."

Joe is one of those precious mavericks sent by God, and he helps keep the church alive. Buckle your seat belt and read on, you may experience turbulence. Uh-oh!