Review: Christ Have Mercy: How to Put Your Faith in Action

I recently completed the book of the title. It provided some very deep thoughts about how Christians are compelled by God's mercy to then show mercy to their fellow man. The author, Matthew Harrison, emphasizes mercy from a Lutheran perspective, using some very personal examples of mercy, and how his faith and action has been shaped by them.

Overall, this is a somewhat technical book. Anyone not familiar with Lutheran theology or worship will likely have significant questions afterward. For those familiar with the accoutrements of Lutheran faith and belief, a basic familiarity will be in place.

Mercy is God's way of interacting with humans. Created in God's image, mankind has fallen into sin through the initial disobedience. As such, mercy is an act that has its beginning in God, who looks not to His own good, but to the good of others. When Christians respond in mercy, they are demonstrating something different from what comes naturally, which finds its source and origin in God.

Harrison definitely presents some challenges with his thoughts. In a fashion, he almost says that lack of showing mercy is to deny heavenly mercy in our lives. At the same time, he reflects on just how great is the mercy that God has toward us human beings. This is why the plea is present from God's creatures: Lord, have mercy.