Prophetic Lament

A Call for Justice in Troubled Times

By: Soong-Chan Rah, Brenda Salter McNeil - foreword

Narrated by: Soong-Chan Rah

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When Soong-Chan Rah planted an urban church in Cambridge, Massachusetts, his first full sermon series was a six-week exposition of the book of Lamentations. Preaching on an obscure, depressing Old Testament book was probably not the most seeker-sensitive way to launch a church. But it shaped their community with a radically countercultural perspective.

The American church avoids lament. But lament is a missing, essential component of Christian faith. Lament recognizes struggles and suffering, that the world is not as it ought to be. Lament challenges the status quo and cries out for justice against existing injustices.

Soong-Chan Rah's prophetic exposition of the book of Lamentations provides a biblical and theological lens for examining the church's relationship with a suffering world. It critiques our success-centered triumphalism and calls us to repent of our hubris. And it opens up new ways to encounter the other. Hear the prophet's lament as the necessary corrective for Christianity's future.

©2015 Soong-Chan Rah (P)2022 eChristian

A revolutionary approach to ministry in minority culture

This work is absolutely amazing even though it is a scholarly text you find yourself often driven to the point of tears, which is perhaps the point since we are called to lament.

4.5 stars

Great book. Interesting touches areas that are considered “taboo” with the church. However, the author is openly expressive about this subject. Well written book. Recommended.

Time to understand the need for lament

This book really hits deep. I am a marriage and family therapist and reading this book brought to mind both my clients and my on pains. His critique on American Christianity was both harsh and modest at the same time. I love a book read by the author because his voice covers the emotions felt in many moments through the book. Overall, good read just prepare to feel corrected and not coddled.

So Relevant

The author brought light to the book of lamentations, and made it so relevant to my life today. I am inspired and challenged to rethink my position of privilege, as well as to lament the losses in my life.

The Practice of Lamenting

Really examining what to lament means and to be able to relate that concept to real life examples is amazing. The author did an incredible job of showing how important lamentation is and why it should have such a deep meaning for Christians. Well done!