Same Kind of Different As Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore

Reviewed and Recommended by Camper Mundy

The New York Times Bestseller Same Kind of Different as Me is an amazing true story of “relational justice.”  Written by Ron Hall and Denver Moore, the book details the development of their unlikely friendship.  It is the story of “a dangerous, homeless drifter who grew up picking cotton in virtual slavery, an upscale art dealer accustomed to the world of Armani and Chanel, and [the] gutsy woman with a stubborn dream” who brought them together (back cover).

This is a story of redemption for two men, a story that so powerfully shows the relational nature of mercy and justice.  And a story that emphasizes the two-way street of relational justice, that mercy is not about the “haves” helping the “have nots,” but rather about people in need of grace embracing people in need of grace.  It’s about the grace of God breaking into the lives of people who may appear radically different on the outside but who are actually very similar on the inside.

Themes such as prejudice, grace, homelessness, wealth, sickness, suffering, forgiveness, and faith run throughout the book.  This book explores the beauty found in relationships when risks are taken, when barriers are crossed with courage and humility.  Any reader of Same Kind of Different as Me will be encouraged by the transformational nature of the gospel and challenged to express that gospel by loving boldly.