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Til The War is Won Reaction Paper
Since 2019, the world has had significant changes Starting with the coronavirus
pandemic, which caused the immense crisis, changing how people lived, worked, and played.
For example, the government had to create restrictions measures to ensure less or no spread of
the virus. Such measures included social distancing, closing of nonessential businesses, and
holding churches online. Although many people suffered tremendously, the pastors also faced
their share of challenges. This paper will react to the book "Til the war is won" by evaluating the
content, strengths, and weaknesses.
Content
McDaniel started by explaining the coronavirus and the crisis it caused. The content
provided in this chapter focuses on the effects of the coronavirus pandemic since it began in
2019 in Wuhan, China. Although believers are inspired to walk by faith and not by sight, the
pandemic forced them to appreciate and assess life because it altered their way of life
tremendously. It started from the closing of schools, church services, groceries, which changed
individuals' shopping habits, tours, and trips and placed them in a panic. All alterations started
because of the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, and measures were established to ensure the
pandemic spread was controlled. Furthermore, due to less movement, many products such as
chicken, ribs, and toilet tissue were in demand, and they were not available; the effects on the
economy were unbelievable.
Many people faced significant economic challenges because of the pandemic. For
example, many lost their jobs faced substantial pay cuts. However, the issue of racism was also
present as black people were living in crowded housing conditions and did not obtain reliable
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health care services. The book has also focused on the issue of racism in society. The author
started from the history of America and racism, then explained the current protests that happened
in 2020 due to the killing of George Floyd. The main important thing is that when an individual
knows it is right to ask a question, then it is vital to know what will a black ask a white Christian
and what will a white ask a black Christian.
The one thing that one should desire is to be in the house of the Lord as David. While
God wants people to call their imagination so that amazing things could happen, David had many
problems, including enemies, but he only desired to be in the house of the Lord all of his life.
The pain is not for an individual, and God allows pain to ensure it aligns with the purpose
created for them. Therefore, the pandemic was one of the pains needed to bring people close to
God by trusting him. Life can be on pause at times because while the pandemic stopped people
from going to church, it opened individuals' hearts by helping the less fortunate. Also, people
need to accept and continue to live life regardless of the situation because God is the light and
salvation; thus no need to fear anything. Nonetheless, this requires one to believe and see what
God manifests through being courageous and waiting for Him.
Strengths
The book has focused on explaining essential and nonessential services. The strengths are
associated with explaining which business or services are considered to be either necessary or
nonessential. This point impacts individuals by taming their work to be unnecessary in their
community. Also, churches were supposed to be unessential, and pastors were also. On the other
hand, McDaniel has explained how several individuals criticized pastors for live streaming
services despite following the social distancing practices. Also, another strength is associated
with inviting pastors, healthcare workers, and political staff to explain the effects the pandemic
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has had on their life. These individuals have provided their preaching experiences on empty seats
how preachers needed preachers.
Moreover, the church is considered the place of hope and direction. McDaniels has
included the bible in his work which plays a vital role in aligning the word of God with the
situations that happen in the real world. For example, he states that his hope for the church is that
they will experience the grace of God and peace, they will understand heaven is closer than they
think because it is the city we live in, the peace we have and yet is broken (M. Keith McDaniel,
2021). The book of psalms 27 has provided that it is God's desire e enjoy our lives; therefore,
social distancing has disconnected individuals' life from shaking hands, embracing one another,
and holding each other. People are by nature social creatures, and Genesis 2:18 states that it is
not suitable for a man to be alone.
McDaniel has used the concept of the bible to place strength on the black community and
shun out racism in American society. Throughout the book, he supported the 2020 protest of the
Black Lives Matter due to the death of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd. Also, this is taken as
an opportunity to end racial inequalities and explain the church's role in ending racism; for
instance, McDaniel (2021) stated that parents had a chance to converse with their children
concerning the protests and the actions that led to them. Another essential thing explained in the
book is social justice. The author states that people need to understand that right is right and
wrong is wrong no matter the situation. Racism has presented the effects of social justice because
African Americans do not have the right to be hungry for being mistreated or express their
emotions at the workplace.
Parents play a significant role in ending racism in society. For example, McDaniels
(2021) speaks from experience stating that fathers have a part in protecting their families, and the
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only approach to safeguarding the children from racism is to assist them in recognizing that it
exists. It is not in line with God's heart, thus providing them with the essential tools that will help
them realize it and enable them not to accept to define them by how they see themselves.
Weaknesses
The book has a weakness in concentrating much on information that focused on the bible
but not on the benefits of the actions. For instance, while the coronavirus pandemic altered the
standard way of people, the church needed to observe the rules of social distancing and close
their services to the congregation. For instance, the virus spreads in different ways, such as
breathing contaminated air that contains droplets and tiny airborne particles that have the virus,
and the risk of this is when people are close to each other. Therefore, the congregation at the
church always sits close to each other, resulting in increased transmission of the disease, thus
causing many church members to die or suffer from the disease.
McDaniel has concentrated much on the message that will fit the believers. For instance,
through biblical contexts, only people who believe in God and follow His word will have the
capacity to understand the context he provides. For example, when McDaniel states that God is
not color blind, individuals should celebrate themselves and embrace diversity. Only those who
believe in God will understand that everyone is made in God's image. God did not make anyone
different.
In summation, the book has provided significant insights by relating the crisis of the
coronavirus, racism, and social injustice with the book of psalms. Christians have a role to play
in ensuring a better society and equality for all. Although racism is about the system and policies,
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all Christians need to understand that every person was created in the image of God, and in times
of crisis such as the pandemic, people should desire to be in the house of the Lord.
References
McDaniel, M., K. (2021). Til the war is won: How a reading of Psalm 27 kept me encouraged in
times of uncertainty. Xulon Press.
M. Keith McDaniel (2021). Pastors address the COVID pandemic and social unrest (Til the war
is won full documentary). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pK4_0qXTlw
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