Title: Burning Center, Porous Borders :The Church in a Globalized World
Author: Eleazar S. Fernandez
Publication details: Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2011

Summary: Fernandez discusses the influence of globalization on the church and explores a number of significant global challenges and threats such as migration, terrorism, the ecological demise, the sickly state of global health, and religious pluralism. In order to respond to these issues, he presents a deep and compelling vision for the church with a Christocentric spiritual center and porous borders, and a clear link between the local and global. He provides a number of creative, alternative ways and images to help us reframe our thinking about the church, such as a community of peacebuilders, a place of radical hospitality, a being of the earth spirit, mending healers, dialogans of faith and a family displaying abundant life.

Evaluation: Fernandez’s work contains a lot of challenging material, therefore, it is not a quick or easy read. It is, however, worth the effort. Fernandez is an insightful Filipino scholar who recognizes Christians as global citizens who live locally. His work is refreshing in that he offers positive alternatives to tackling the global threats and hope in a world facing global cynicism and despair. This book inspires confidence in the Christian message and the Christian community. Koorong web address: http://www.koorong.com/search/product/burning-center-porous-borders-eleazar-s-fernandez/9

Reviewed by: David Turnbull- Coordinator of Intercultural Studies, Tabor Adelaide.