THE CALL TO CONVERSION : Why Faith Is Always Personal but Never Private by Jim Wallis. HarperSanFrancisco, 2005. Pp.201 (BV4916.3.W35).

Jim Wallis wrote the NEW YORK TIMES best seller GOD'S POLITICS. He is a leading voice against the growing gap between rich and poor and opposes being taxed by a government to spend billions of dollars on war.

Henri J. M. Nouwen, BREAD FOR THE JOURNEY, said about Wallis's book: "The most compelling and challenging invitation to conversion I have read." What are the signs of conversion? "Aristides described the Christians to the Roman Emperor Hadrian in this way: 'They love one another. They never fail to help widows; they save orphans from those who would hurt them. If they have something they give freely to the man who has nothing; if they see a stranger, they take him home…'" P. 15.

In the INTRODUCTION to THE CALL TO CONVERSION, the author says: "This book is addressed primarily to Christians in the United States and in other rich countries. It is intended for clergy and laity, for those involved in evangelical revival, and charismatic renewal, for members of mainline churches and Catholic parishes, for political activists looking for faith and vision." P. xx.

Conversion is the only answer to our broken society. "Everything we mean by conversion must take human form and flesh in the place we call community. Such a life is more than the Christian's only hope. It is also the world's only hope." P. 144.

…The Library Committee