Friday, January 21, 2011

Next Christians book review

I was very anxious and excited to follow up 'UnChristian,' with 'The Next Christians,' and was not at all disappointed. Right from the beginning, in the chapter 'A Fading Reality,' Gabe Lyons unpacks how America has left behind the stronghold of being, "A Christian nation," and is now largely a pluralistic society. He does a masterful job of walking the reader through our history, and in a refreshing way, guides through how key decisions and actions took us off the path of Jesus and onto a more religious path. Then in the "New Normal," he develops where we are currently. A wonderful look into the birth of the suburbs and how it reshaped the everyday life of the common American family. How it moved the church from the center of life to the fringe, and just another thing to put on the weekly calendar. I think this particular chapter raises questions of where we live, why we live there, and what role those decisions play in the daily working of our faith.

What set this book apart, was the 6 ways forward for Christians to realign on the path of Jesus: we will be provoked, not offended; creators, not critics; called, not employed; grounded, not distracted; in community, not alone; and countercultural, not relevant. Each characteristic is a positive and empowering way forward, rather than one of disdain and critique that leaves us with few helpful answers. I highly recommend this book and look forward to the journey ahead!

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