The title, subtitle, and the cover image of Truth Matters say it all. These are two friends, first of all - friends. (Look at the picture!) They are friends who are on different sides of the political discourse that is threatening to divide our nation. And are able to dialogue about their differences in opinion, and of course what they agree on as well, without losing their friendship. And with each admitting they’ve learned a lot from the other.
Dr. George & Dr. West are both professors at Princeton University. They have partnered together to teach a seminar at Princeton, which students clamor to get into because they expect fireworks - given Robert George’s deep conservative credentials, and Cornel West’s equally impressive liberal record. What they get is not what they expect, because rather than arguing reactively against each other, the two eminent professors commend each other as truth-seekers and challenge the students to shed their assumed positions and instead learn from the great writers of Western civilization.
In addition to being conservative & liberal, and White and Black, the two professors are also Catholic and Protestant. And very aware of how they both see the world the same, and also in different ways, due to their engagement in their faith traditions. So their dialogue - and the book really is just a dialogue between then, with an occasional question / topic introduced to guide the conversation - their dialogue is quite relevant to our calling at Christ the Reconciler, in multiple dimensions. For example:
Cornel West: In that sense, Brother Robby’s absolutely right in terms of a truth teller. But truth tellers usually have to be measured by the degree to which they’re willing to tell painful truths about themselves, and then tell painful truths about the group from which they come.
… and …
Robert George: But here’s what we can say and what we should say and what is too rarely said. Often enough people on both sides of hotly contested issues [such as abortion] can and should acknowledge the good faith and goodwill of those who hold different convictions. It is not contradicting the principle of non-contradiction to recognize that there are valid concerns on both sides.
One of our contentions is that building relationships is key to reducing hostility. And sure enough, Chapter 1 of Truth Matters is about how Dr. George & Dr. West first met, grew to become friends, and decided to teach a class together. The book is worth reading just for the end of this chapter, when they address the question - are they trying to persuade each other, that their views are right. We can all learn much from the humility and affection with which they respond.
I assume if he disagrees with me about something, there’s got to be a pretty good chance I’m wrong about it.
And I could be wrong too.
He could be wrong, too.
Absolutely.
