Terry Wildman writes of a justice long-denied, not only for Native peoples who have suffered the loss of lands, livelihood, and life as the American empire spread across the continent, but also for those who struggle for life and liberty to this very day. Like the prophets of Israel, he seeks to correct our eyesight—to set before us God’s vision and God’s truth and to expose things that we, the American church, would rather not see about ourselves. Like the biblical prophets, he shoulders a burden that he bears out of love for God, the people of God, and the nation. Terry knows what God’s ancient messengers knew, that right remembering is essential for right believing and right living. He not only sees the past well, he knows how to read the present and direct us into God’s future.
This book will open up a new way of seeing. It will certainly disturb and unsettle you. If it does only these things, however, it will not succeed completely. In the end, this book should prod you to action. I encourage you to read Terry’s words with an open mind and a responsive heart, recalling what God revealed long ago about what is good and what He requires of his people: to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk in a humble way with our God.
L. Daniel Hawk
Professor of Old Testament and Hebrew
Ashland Theological Seminary
Author of Joshua in 3-D:
A Commentary on Biblical Conquest and Manifest Destin