Unsettling Truths

The Ongoing, Dehumanizing Legacy of the Doctrine of Discovery

By: Mark Charles, Soong-Chan Rah

Narrated by: William Sarris

You cannot discover lands already inhabited.

Injustice has plagued American society for centuries. And we cannot move toward being a more just nation without understanding the root causes that have shaped our culture and institutions.

In this prophetic blend of history, theology, and cultural commentary, Mark Charles and Soong-Chan Rah reveal the far-reaching, damaging effects of the "Doctrine of Discovery." In the 15th century, official church edicts gave Christian explorers the right to claim territories they "discovered." This was institutionalized as an implicit national framework that justifies American triumphalism, white supremacy, and ongoing injustices. The result is that the dominant culture idealizes a history of discovery, opportunity, expansion, and equality, while minority communities have been traumatized by colonization, slavery, segregation, and dehumanization.

Healing begins when deeply entrenched beliefs are unsettled. Charles and Rah aim to recover a common memory and shared understanding of where we have been and where we are going. As other nations have instituted truth and reconciliation commissions, so do the authors call our nation and churches to a truth-telling that will expose past injustices and open the door to conciliation and true community.

©2019 Mark Charles and Soong-Chan Rah (P)2019 eChristian

Needs condensing

There's a lot of enlightening content here regarding the assumptions/premises that western Europeans and Americans have leveraged over the centuries to enshrine themselves at the top of the cultural ladder. That said, the content tends to be redundant and could be more succinctly presented.

Needed listen

I was referred this book by trusted friend, and I’m so glad they did. As a white male follower of Jesus this book illuminated many of the damaging narratives that have been taught throughout my life from seemingly well meaning fellow believers. Mark does a brilliant job of not condemning a people group, but rather the institution of empire that has creeped into Christianity - Empire being the way of dominance and control vs. the way of Jesus, the way of peace. Empire has no room for equality because it’s based on a scarcity mindset where there is never enough... and sadly western Christian culture is at the root of the empire movement. I do not mean to say Christianity is and the way of Jesus is corrupt, but rather The Way has been co-opted for specific groups advantages - and this is where the damaging narrative lies.

Thank you Mark for such an incredibly insightful book. Well articulated.

The Realities Not Thought In Schools.

Should be a must read in all our schools. Excellent analysis. This is where all sides begin real healing.

Extremely Enlightening

I really liked its historicity and relevance the current political landscape in the United States.

Exceptional book, high quality audio

This book was a devastating, but necessary and revealing read. Narration and audio was high quality. Highly recommend.