Susan K. Williams Smith

When I elected to read this book, I expected to encounter peaceful yet instructive readings about justice, with reassurances that in spite of the injustice extant in our world today, Jesus is our refuge and the One whose examples we need to follow to effect lasting change. However, the title is a misnomer because I felt anything but peaceful while reading, and although these readings are listed as meditations on the cover, they are referred to as devotions in the book description and are categorized as such on retailer websites. Each day begins with a Scripture verse, but aside from that, there are very few that I would classify as devotions. Rather, “Rest for the Justice-Seeking Soul” is a clarion call to fight. The problem is that Williams Smith places most of the emphasis on us and our power as opposed to God’s power working within us, but the truth is that we can do nothing without Christ (John 15:5). She states that “God needs for us to seek God so we will be able to go and ‘hope’ somebody,” but our purpose is to glorify God. God doesn’t “need” us. To suggest that He does implies that He has weakness and disqualifies Him from being God. We also don’t “sap evil of its strength”; Christ’s power working within and through us does.

Throughout the 90 readings, the author’s working seemed off-kilter to me, hindering interpretation. In a few cases I thought I could see the point that the author was trying to make, but it could be easily misinterpreted. For instance, in day 4 she remarks that “It is in the darkness that our strength is made stronger, that our arguments become more pointed and vivid, and that our words become more inspiring, because only in the darkness can we ‘see’ places that we cannot see when we are in the light.” But I would argue that Jesus is the light of the world, and when we encounter darkness we should shine light on the darkness. Darkness does not enable us to see, nor does it strengthen us. God’s light does that. Growth does not occur in darkness as the author claims; through darkness, perhaps, but not in it, and neither does darkness give us power or life, which come from the Lord alone.

Theological issues throughout “Rest for the Justice-Seeking Soul” disturbed me. This is considered a Christian book, but I found multiple ideas that go against God’s Word. The author references historical figures who “held on to God while simultaneously rejecting Christianity” and were strengthened by God, but it is Jesus who saves us. There is no God without Christianity; they are mutually inclusive. The author presents this dangerous idea that even if we reject God, we are still His children and He is with us (Emmanuel), but those who have never accepted Christ as their Savior or who have rejected Him outright do not have the Holy Spirit dwelling within them. Furthermore, Williams Smith perpetuates the concept that “To be a peacemaker is to radically stand in faith, be it Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu, or any other brand…In the name of the God whom we claim as our divine Parent, now is the time to covenant to be a peacemaker, no matter the cost. Too much is at stake.” Steve Ham, in an Answers in Genesis article from December 3, 2010 entitled “What is a True Peacemaker?”, refutes this by saying, “There is no such thing as peace at any cost. The gospel message is about both repentance of sin and salvation from judgment through Christ. It is not a feel-good message of misdirected love and tolerance.” Romans 12 also speaks to being a loving peacemaker.

According to the author, deception is at times necessary for survival and is okay as long as we “get in touch with our true selves” and “look to God for enough ingestion of God’s spirit not to betray others or ourselves.” However, if we are deceiving, then we are betraying God. She claims that the good news of the Gospel is that God is with us and always there, as opposed to the “self-serving principle that merely provides us with assurance that we are safe from eternal damnation.” While I agree that God is indeed steadfast and faithful, this “self-serving principle” is the priceless gift of our eternal salvation, for which He sent His Son, Jesus, to die on our behalf. Far from being the defiant activist Who “was not willing to ‘grin and bear it’”, He allowed Himself to be crucified and oppressed for us after living here on earth with us and showing us how to live.

White supremacy and racism are repeatedly discussed. Blanket statements such as saying that “white religious people” support racism, however, do not advance the cause. I absolutely agree that both institutions are wrong and should not exist, and I believe that working to eradicate them is a worthy and necessary endeavor. My issue is with the author’s approach and with what appears to be a mixed-bag of theological concepts that often distort God’s Word and promote the idea that as long as you stand for a religion, any religion, in faith, you are a peacemaker. Social activism is a loaded topic, but we are never going to find a better approach than that of Jesus. Praise God for the truth of John 10:10: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

I received a complimentary copy of this book through CelebrateLit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.… (más)

The title of the book led me to believe that i would be reading a book that would calm my soul and give me peace. I didn't find that much in the book. The first few pages into the book I felt like the author was yelling a battle cry and to take up arms. I know that many people have suffered from discrimination and I have always stood up for all the people. I don't see color, gender or anything, just a person that God loves.

I'm not to sure I agree with this statement; " The experience of being in the dark teaches us what we need to know and provide us with the elements needed for survival." I was taught that we need to turn away from darkness and go to the light where God is. He is waiting to give you hope and protection. The book is designed for a ninety day reading but I couldn't finish it. There are many sections in the book where I didn't agree with the author .

This statement sealed it for me and knew I couldn't read anymore from this book. " And just as privileged white people do themselves and society a disservice by not acknowledging their privilege, we all do God a disservice by not acknowledging our privilege."

Jesus doesn't see color. This book feels more like it is trying to push an agenda, rather than pushing a message for loving thy neighbor. I want us as a whole to teach the younger generation that yes there is racism still going on, but we need to all stand together to fight for that to go away. What this book has done in my opinion is start a rally against each other and not fight for the rights of all people. I cannot recommend this book and will leave it up to readers to decide if they want to pick up a copy of themselves.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.… (más)

Rest for the Justice Seeking Soul contains 90 different devotionals. I wish I could say I loved it, but frankly, I did not care for it at all. I found it conflicted with my knowledge of the Bible and what God’s Word says. Had I been able to see a sample of this book before I requested to review it, I would have never elected to receive this book.

Perhaps I am too conservative in my views and too literal in my interpretation of what God’s Word says since I choose to read from the King James Version of the Bible, but I can not say I would recommend this book. I can only say check it out for yourself and form your own opinion.

I received this book for my fair and honest review.… (más)