Unsettling Truths

The Ongoing, Dehumanizing Legacy of the Doctrine of Discovery

By: Mark Charles, Soong-Chan Rah

Narrated by: William Sarris

Length: 7 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

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

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.

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.

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.

Protestant Exceptionalism.

The book is a track why protestant missions are different from 15th Century Catholic Edicts. I wish they would have written this book on how the Doctrine of Discovery lead to the dehumanizing actions of the explorers of the new world without protestant apologetics. Both Protestant and Catholic doctrines have led to crimes against Humanity. You can simply read any history of the new world to find out how.

monumental to US History

Every American should listen to or read this book. I know for a fact that many know nothing of the Doctrine of Discovery and it's crazy.

Where do we go from here ...?

We of the colonial tribes are so invested in our lies and illusions - myths of independence dreamed in the compost of bloodied stolen lands - what can grow in this infertile soul ... and how ...?

Compelling analysis of Christendom Missussed

The authors have presented a convincing argument regarding the natural sovereignty of the indigenous peoples of the Americas, and the racist doctrine within Catholicism which nearly genocided them into extinction.

Unsettled by Truths of America's Not-So Greatness

if you care about this nation's history, about justice, and about working effectively in conciliation work, then you have to read this book. The truths regarding the heresy of the "doctrine of discovery" and how the doctrine was the foundation of western (at-any - cost) expansionism are disturbing, but truths that must be learned and headed.

The truth will set you free!!!!

This book has answered some questions I have had for a while now! How did we end up here on America with Christians choosing nationalism values over Christian values! This is one big mess and we need to chose Christ over everything! Thank you for writing this book!