Uncompromised Faith

Has your faith become irrelevant? Join S. Michael Craven in exploring how the majesty and radical reality of God's amazing grace have been culturalized and rendered impotent in America. Then begin to tear down the cultural barriers to both the acceptance of the gospel and the mission to the church in the U.S.

"In this most accessible book, Michael Crave addresses the mega-problem of a 'culturalized' (and isolated) Christianity. He outlines current worldviews that have swamped the church and responds to red-hot contemporary issues with Christian truth and love. In a day when the flame of authentic faith is barely a flicker, the church needs all the help she can get. This book contributes to the needed aid." --David K. Naugle, ThD, PhD, professor of philosophy, Dallas Baptist University

S. Michael Craven is the president of the Center for Christ and Culture in Dallas, Texas. Considered a leading cultural apologist, he studies, writes and lectures on theology, philosophy and culture. Michael has been a feature speaker at the University of California at Berkeley, national conferences, and seminaries and has appeared on Fox News, CNN, ABC, and NBC.

President of the Center for Christ and Culture in Dallas, Craven, a business executive turned minister, is long on passion but late to the discussion on postmodernism, which he sees as a socially corrosive philosophy nonetheless declining in influence. He notes, however, that the philosophy accepts that we cannot know all things and thus allows us to rediscover humility. He examines issues shaping culture today and argues that Christianity has become irrelevant in shaping society. He then seeks to promote Christian influence by engaging culture with what the Bible says about consumerism, marriage, homosexuality, spirituality, feminism. He concedes, for example, that some Christians have suppressed human rights in the name of religion, but “the Christian God is actually the foremost advocate of equality between the sexes.” Conservative readers will find a champion for not only resisting cultural shifts but actually reshaping culture with a Christian worldview, but other readers may question such sweeping assertions as “prior to the sixties, America’s moral consensus was largely derived from distinctly Christian principles and values—in essence a Christian worldview.” (Jan. 30)Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.

Average Rating:

3 of 3 Reviews Showing:

Reviewed by Heather Randall (Coweta, Oklahoma), April 12, 2009

S. Michael Craven is an author who identifies himself as a speaker who "works to challenge the spiritual apathy and cultural indifference of the church. . ." In his book, Uncompromised Faith Overcoming Our Culturalized Christianity, He does exactly that through his intense look at our cultural decline that has lead us progressively farther away from God. Readers will be convinced of the need to step up and be the people of God above being people of religion. They will learn through Craven's research and statistics the severe state that the American church is in. They'll be stirred up and angry, and different as a result. Craven addresses issues in a thorough manner. His book is an excellent call to action among Christians to produce true faith that isn't laced with idolatry, post modernistic polluted views of God, or sin-tolerant complacency. He encourages Christians to be the real deal. Craven doesn't just encourage Christians to stand against sin, but to reach out in love and compassion to the sinner. This is such a refreshing view. Craven in no way bends to the culture, but he loves the people as Christ did and doesn't shut the door to their potential salvation with a jaded hypocrisy that can turn a heart away from God quickly. Christians can learn and grow from his Godly example of balance as he hates sin and lovesthe sinner. This book will challenge you to represent God intelligently, and in a way that is true and pleasing to God.

Reviewed by Kevin (Dallas, TX), February 16, 2009

Uncompromised Faith should create an epiphany within the North American church. Mr. Craven outlines ways that the culture has influenced the church to the point of diluting the power, hope and relevance of the gospel. He then takes on several controversal issues of the day and shows the way for the church to engage society in a winsome and biblically sound manner. Christians and churches that follow this lead will find lives and communities transformed. I highly recommend this book for personal consumption as well as for small group study.

Reviewed by Tim (Albany, NY), February 08, 2009

Michael Craven's Uncompromised Faith is an absolute must-read for all who desire to biblically and thoughtfully engage today's culture. Craven is a powerful communicator; his meticulous research and respectful tone throughout give his voice the right to be heard, regardless of one's perspective. Craven contends that the biblical worldview is not only still extremely relevant, but is actually ignored at one's own deep peril. He wades into some of today's most heavily debated issues--the effects of modernism and postmodernism on the church and culture, the ongoing heritage of the sexual revolution of the `60s, the nature of marriage, and more. Craven's work is profound in that it shares the legacy of another clear voice that in a previous time dared to face the deafening din of the cheering masses and calmly utter the words, "The emperor has no clothes!" Craven's work is unique in its content, but also in its tone. Sadly, too many books have been written on these topics which ultimately fail to contribute anything of value to anyone. These books tend to fall to either of these two extremes: complete capitulation to cultural values or angry denouncements of any and all opposing points of view. Craven intentionally avoids the insipid stupidity of bumper sticker slogans or the thoughtless wrath of vitriolic placards. Uncompromised Faith refuses to compromise on biblical truth, the merit of research, the importance of love, or the need for compassion. Its overall message is a simple one: the gospel compels Christians to engage the culture for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven. I am one of the leaders of ministry that is designed to disciple emerging Christian leaders. As a result, I am constantly engaged in conversations with young, eager brothers and sisters who are desperate to understand not only how to act and live, but also how to think, dialogue, and engage as a CHRISTIAN. Uncompromised Faith is absolutely one of the top five books I recommend.

Write a review of Uncompromised Faith

Author: S. Michael Craven
Located in: Dallas, TX
Submitted: January 15, 2009

    Tell us a little about yourself.  I am a Christian cultural apologist, author, columnist, and speaker who works to challenge the spiritual apathy and cultural indifference of the church through serious research, writing, speaking and teaching.

    What was your motivation behind this project?  I was deeply concerned about the growing irrelevance of Christianity in regard to its public influence in America and I wanted to expose those social and cultural factors that have contributed to this condition.

    What do you hope folks will gain from this project?  That the church will see how its thinking has been unwittingly conformed to the world and lead to liberation from our cultural captivity.

    How were you personally impacted by working on this project?  I was deeply challenged as I discovered that the route to freedom from our cultural captivity rests largely on a rediscovery of the (full) gospel of the kingdom.

    Who are your influences, sources of inspiration or favorite authors / artists?  Francis Schaeffer, Lesslie Newbiggin, Gospel and Culture Network series on missiology, C.S. Lewis, G.K. Chesterton, J. Gresham Machen

    Anything else you'd like readers / listeners to know:  This book will help readers understand how the descent of our culture has come about and what the church must do to recover it's mission and calling in the world.

• Books
• Books >> Theology
• Books >> Theology >> Historical Theology
• Books >> Theology >> Historical Theology >> Postmodern Theology
• Books >> Theology >> Religion & Society
• Books >> Theology >> Topics of Debate
• Start A New Christianbook.com Search