Review of Dream with Me

John Perkins has a winsome style of writing. He writes from his experiences and his culture. Consequently, many “proper” writers will cringe at some moments. However, his authenticity does not detract from his message. It merely amplifies it for those who are willing to listen.

Perkins is dreaming. Unfortunately, life wakes him up from this dream, day after day. But, life never stops him from dreaming. He has been dreaming ever since he woke up on a jail floor, hurting from a brutal beating, just because he was black. He has been dreaming ever since his brother was shot, because he was black.

What is he dreaming?

He is dreaming about a society where Christians start living their Christianity. He firmly believes that the Gospel is a message of reconciliation. Jesus came and lived in our mess in order that he might reconcile us with God. We, as followers of Christ, need to follow his example, by having an incarnational ministry. We are surrounded by hurting people of all stages of life, of all cultures, but of one race. We need to follow Christ into the hurt around us, seeking to bring reconciliation to those who are estranged from each other, and ultimately to bring reconciliation with God.

Perkins drives this dream home with compelling stories of his past, filled with hurts he has experienced and with healing he has seen. He calls his readers to rise above the emotional hurts of racial conflict, painting a theological picture of the justice of God, tiny hints of what eternity will be like.

Because of his past, Perkins is able to speak hard truths to all cultures and all colors. We all have areas where we should swallow our pride, admit we were wrong, and work towards reconciliation for the glory of God and the furtherance of the Gospel.

I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.