The Dancing Steward: Exploring Christian Stewardship Lifestyles

David M. Kelly teaches religious studies at Brock University in St.
Catharines.

The Dancing Steward is certainly one of the best-written books this
reviewer has encountered of late. Its style is clear, to the point, and
often amusing. Levan, a United Church minister and theology professor,
writes in refreshingly human terms.

Unfortunately, Levan’s message may terrify the majority of his
readers. Rich North America, he insists, must recognize its Christian
stewardship and relinquish its wealth to the poor. He takes in its most
literal sense Christ’s command to the rich young man to sell all his
possessions. With the best of intentions, Levan inflicts guilt to the
max. He turns a blind eye to the abuses perpetrated by Third World
governments and places the blame solely on the Western industrialized
nations. At times it seems that Levan is unaware of the recession; he
certainly pays little attention to the economic pressures suffered by
average income-earners.

For all his excessiveness, Levan reveals an admirable concern for the
downtrodden and effectively portrays their misery. What makes the reader
cringe also makes this book worthwhile.