With real, inspiring stories of faith in action, How Now Shall We Live? encourages readers to present the gospel in a way that will capture the imaginations, minds and hearts of a culture that is entrenched in the lies of relativism and self-before it's too late.
International prison ministry leader Colson, most famous for his role in the
Watergate scandal and his subsequent conversion to Christianity, has co-written
with Pearcey what he believes to be the most important book of his career.
Picking up where the late American theologian Francis Schaeffer's book and film
series How Then Shall We Live? left off, Colson attempts to explain why
American culture has become "post-Christian" and what must be done to "rebuild
it with a biblical worldview." He believes that Christian salvation is not just
personal but "cosmological," redeeming all of creation. Colson's work is a
mixed bag. When he outlines his theology, shares personal stories or explains
the various Supreme Court cases that touch upon religion's role in American
life, he is thoughtful and articulate, yet the work suffers from a narrow
perspective and an overdependence on the opinions of a few others, especially
Schaeffer. As the author of a book that ostensibly engages recent developments
in science, art and philosophy from a Christian point of view, Colson too
easily dismisses opposing views without expressing a full understanding of them
(Stephen Hawking's time theories amount to "little more than fantasy," for
example). Such an approach to humanist ideas makes this a sermon strictly for
the evangelical choir, although Colson intends the book to inspire debate in
the wider culture and Tyndale is launching a $250,000 marketing campaign to
sell it. (Sept.) Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.
Average Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars(3.5 out of 5 stars)
8 of 13 Reviews Showing:(View All Reviews)
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by James (Norfolk, VA), January 29, 2010
This is one of the best books I've ever read regarding Christians and culture. I believe that some who posted the bad ratings only "thumbed through" this book. I do disagree with Colson's suggestions of uniting with the Catholic church in the cultural war, but it doesn't take away from the sound teaching it offers. Christians are to live in society as followers of Christ. This book just assists in explaining the best way to do it in today's world. I've past this book on to several people, and now...years later, I'm reading it again.
2.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Kirk Crager (Rome, Italy), February 25, 2003
The title, general message, and general content of Mr. Colson's book are a much needed message to 21st century Christians. He succeeds in causing one to think about the implications of the systems of thought that we adhere to. This is our duty as Christians, to think through each action, belief or word from a biblical standpoint. However, this book also contains elements of one of the most dangerous trends in modern Evangelicism. That is, it calls for unity with a Roman church that cleary teaches a gospel unknown to the biblical writers, including Jesus Himself. While we may be able to agree with certain postions that the Cathlic church takes, such as their stance on abortion, we can never do as Colson urges and unite with the Roman church as fellow brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ. Living in the shadow of the Vatican itself has revealed to me how very different the two gospels of Rome and the Bible are; and I only could pray that more American evangelicals and protestants could have the same experience in order to fully understand Roman Catholic Doctrine. It seems ironic that Mr. Colson could be so painstakingly correct about a Biblical worldview while being so uncritical as to examine the true doctrine and lives of the vast majority of those within in the Roman system. Hopefully all who read will adopt his view of the Biblical worldview without this one very important blindspot.
4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Jim Simpson (Dallas, GA), November 05, 2002
Any work written by man will always be flawed because it was a man's hand that wrote it. Also, any work, no matter how correct and true, will always be misinterpreted. Even the Bible is no exception to this. Mr. Colson is very upfront with this view in combating against the modern culture. To a traditional mindset, this view could seem to compete with the Great Commission. That is not what he intended to communicate, but that we should stand against post-modernism within the Great Commission. This book presents the responsibility for a Christian to act and respond to every issue that we encounter with a biblical response. He presents the Christian worldview as the most logical and reasonable order of the universe. The level of detail that is given in this book is tedious for the common reader, but can help one to understand his or her own view, which is essential if you want to explain God to an intellectual skeptic as an evangelistic effort. This book is a great resource for understanding the need for an apologetic approach to our culture, and to also remind us of our responsibility as the Church to reflect Jesus Christ in our thinking and reacting as well as our ministering and evangelizing.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Bill (Merced,Ca), September 09, 2001
This is the definitive book on the Christian world view. It should be required reading for every Christian. He gives you practical steps on how to integrate your faith into your everyday life. I loved the entire book.
3.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Peter Hamm (Centreville, VA), August 27, 2001
Boy, other reviewers either hated this or loved it. I'll try to be a little more balanced. This is an excellent outline of the "Christian Worldview" for those who are interested in sharpening their own thinking on it. His ammo for debunking the current state of "naturalistic" and "post-modern" thinking is good, but I think Chuck is stepping out of his area of expertise when he critiques modern culture, especially music. So a couple of the last few chapters drag the book down a bit. But it was otherwise an excellent read, and I highly recommend it to people who struggle with what it means to be an intellectual Christian in this modern age.
0 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Lee (Lake Bluff, IL), August 13, 2001
Mr. Colson has mistaken a mandate from Christian men for a mandate from God. His calling to minister to those in prisons does not necessarily extend to saving to world the prisoners would be released into. The knowledge and wisdom needed in the world today comes from Bible study and prayer,not the secular universities. Paul made no changes in his preaching of the Gospel regardless of where he went because he knew what Mr.Colson has apparently lost sight of. Our job is to witness, The Holy Spirit opens the heart to hear. If you are looking for an answer to the question Mr.Colson posed ,or indeed any question you may have, seek first to know God. Jesus died so that you can seek and receive the true knowledge and wisdom you need to live in this world and truly advance the Kingdom of God directly from The Father. Mr. Colson's conclusions are based on his,not generally accepted, interpretation of one Bible verse from Genesis, despite the far too numerous to list number of scripture verses that dispute them.
0.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Jon (Pomona, CA), March 14, 2001
Unscholarly. Completely devoid of objective biblical, theological, historical and cultural analyses. Thus, misconceptions abound in terms of both Euro-American history and the biblical meaning of Christian witness. Such a book should only be attempted by a professionally-trained and experienced Christian anthropologist, sociologist or missiologist. Otherwise, objectivity is absent and obscurantism is certain. In this case, one ends up with essentially old-line flag-waving fundamentalist ideals.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Joe (St. Louis, MO), March 07, 2001
Excellent book. The authors do a masterful job contrasting the Christian worldview with the other competing worldviews. They point out the consistency of our faith in Christ.
Equally important is their call to action for Christians in our lifestyles. They point out in all life areas how compartmentalization of our faith is destroying our witness and our culture.
I read a lot of books and this was a light bulb going off one for me. It helped me firm up a lot of ideas and beliefs that I have and bring an overall coherence to them.
It's an important book for the Christian community.
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