Book excerpt: Our culture has been reeling from divisiveness and strife. People have been divided politically (into red and blue states), morally, and spiritually. How can you reach across these rifts, mend fractured relationships, and share the healing love of God? You can become a "purple" Christian-a follower of Christ who finds middle ground, not to compromise but to converse. A purple Christian... embodies the love of God and avoids evangelistic cliches, encourages creativity and the arts as expressions of God's goodness, revels in love and joy but also faces disappointment and doubt honestly advocates for all people, not only the unborn but also those lacking education and health care or struggling with poverty, helps all people experience the benefits of Christ's reign instead of determining who is "in" and who is "out". Christians have become known for what they oppose rather than what they propose-faith, hope, and love. A Purple State of Mind dismantles unhelpful misrepresentations of Jesus' life-giving message and shows how you can live out the good news in a pluralistic world. Book jacket.