What Difference Do It MakeStories of Hope and Healing

Ron Hall and Denver Moore, with Lynn Vincent          Thomas Nelson, 2009.


 3.0 / 5.0 

This follow-up to 2006's Same Kind of Different As Me is more like three small books intertwined. Ron Hall and Denver Moore continue their story while including vignettes from readers moved to action after reading the first book. The oral contributions from Moore are recorded by Hall--and presumably Lynn Vincent--in a semi-phonetic way to capture his way of speaking. Moore includes various stories from his past before and during his stay at Union Gospel Mission as well some anecdotes from the speaking tour for SKoDAM. The chapters of What Difference Do It Make that most resemble the pair's first book are Hall's.  The story of reconciliation with his father is the only consistent narrative in the book and one wonders if it could not have been expanded into a book of it's own.

The motives, methods and success of the activism from fans of the first book are varied. Moore and Hall do not editorialize, but include the stories that most closely parallel the ones they themselves are sharing. Moore's focus, which he turns to almost exclusively when explaining his Christian beliefs, is Matthew 25. Hall uses the same Scripture or its message in several instances. He best summarizes his outlook in a parable featuring theoretical homeless man and addict named Joe; and FBC, the church that tries to minister to him.

But if Joe turns out to be unable to follow through on real change, that's fine too. FBC has done what God called it to do. Jesus said we will be judged by how we treat the hungry, the thirsty, the prisoner, the stranger. We are judged by our compassion, how we live our lives, not how Joe ultimately lives his. God commands us to love, not to calculate the end game. It is only when Joe is loved without strings that he is set free to (eventually) turn a corner and voluntarily become accountable to those who have placed faith in him. (emphasis and parenthesis in original) 

Agree to disagree. I think strings and accountability are necessary parts of the love sometimes. I have shared before my appreciation for the message of When Helping Hurts. I appreciate Hall's message, but less so. It will be interesting to see if this duo's next project will include other Biblical interpretations on judgment and the poor and move toward a more (w)holistic model.