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hje_thomas's review against another edition
4.0
A good book. Pretty repetitive but it definitely had some good discussion around how to be faithful to God in todays climate.
leswag97's review against another edition
3.0
In this book, Rick McKinley does a good job at using a frequently found metaphor in Scripture—the metaphor of Exile—as a way in which to approach the Church’s place in the U.S.A. at this point in history. Rather than agreeing with much Christian mass media that the U.S.A. is a Christian nation, McKinley proposes that we live in a post-Christian nation, and as a result, God’s people are called to live differently than we have in prior seasons and times. For McKinley, living in the U.S.A. is not living in Jerusalem, but in Babylon.
With this framework in mind, McKinley takes his readers on a journey through Scripture and through culture, helping Christians in the 21st century in the U.S.A. to live in the way that the Exilic people of God have been called to live. Rather than baptizing Babylon or burning Babylon, McKinley offers the biblical alternative of finding ways in our lives as Christians to both bless and resist Babylon!
The latter section of the book deals specifically with practices that Christians have been practicing throughout Church history and should be practicing today in light of our place in culture and in the world at large.
This work was somewhat elementary at times, and McKinley sometimes fell into the habit of writing in a roundabout way; in other words, he could have shortened the length of the book by being more concise (but perhaps he did not feel as though he had enough content to create a full-length book if he did not write in this way—and I can relate to that). All in all, this book was helpful in reminding me that culture at large is not something that we approach the same way in every circumstance. Sometimes. we bless Babylon. At other points, we resist Babylon. All the while, we seek the peace of Babylon, while pledging our allegiance to Christ, the Prince of Peace and the King of Kings!
With this framework in mind, McKinley takes his readers on a journey through Scripture and through culture, helping Christians in the 21st century in the U.S.A. to live in the way that the Exilic people of God have been called to live. Rather than baptizing Babylon or burning Babylon, McKinley offers the biblical alternative of finding ways in our lives as Christians to both bless and resist Babylon!
The latter section of the book deals specifically with practices that Christians have been practicing throughout Church history and should be practicing today in light of our place in culture and in the world at large.
This work was somewhat elementary at times, and McKinley sometimes fell into the habit of writing in a roundabout way; in other words, he could have shortened the length of the book by being more concise (but perhaps he did not feel as though he had enough content to create a full-length book if he did not write in this way—and I can relate to that). All in all, this book was helpful in reminding me that culture at large is not something that we approach the same way in every circumstance. Sometimes. we bless Babylon. At other points, we resist Babylon. All the while, we seek the peace of Babylon, while pledging our allegiance to Christ, the Prince of Peace and the King of Kings!
mattmccomas's review against another edition
5.0
Prophetic to the this cultural moment and a call to live a distinctly different life.
Listen and obey
Hospitality
Generosity
Sabbath
Vocation
Listen and obey
Hospitality
Generosity
Sabbath
Vocation
lalatut's review against another edition
5.0
Where was this book in 2016-2017 when I felt so alone? Pastor Rick looks at our calling as the people of God in our current cultural moment through the lens of God’s people in exile as seen in Babylon. As usual, he has his finger on the pulse of life and responds with this deeply pastoral book that’s both encouraging and challenging in just the right ways.
carolinegarza's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book! Light encouraging read on the hope we have as Christians to be true witnesses in a divided world. It’s not heavy on theology or application but my heart is encouraged to love better & obey God today.
thewildnorry's review against another edition
5.0
This might be my favorite book that I read this year.
Before I launch into my review, let me just say: if you are a Christian living in America, you MUST read this book.
[BACKGROUND STORY BECAUSE I LIKE TO HEAR MYSELF TALK]
I first saw this book on the shelves of Powell's Books out in Portland about a year ago. The cover drew me in (along with the fact that it was sitting amongst the featured texts when you walked in the door), and while it was intriguing enough for me to take a picture and write a note to pick it up at the library later, I left it on the shelf and picked up another book of which I have yet to reach the third chapter. (I'm looking at you Six of Crows.)
The picture continued to resurface throughout the year, but I ignored it. I'm not one for "Christian" books. I don't particularly like listening to books other than the Bible when it comes to picking up "how to's" on living the Christian life.
Yet, after a three day weekend where all I wanted was a good book to read, I decided to finally pick it up at the library. When the library didn't acknowledge its existence, I made the decision to spring for it on Amazon.
The book arrived, I started reading, and I didn't stop.
I finished it in 3 days.
[THE ACTUAL REVIEW]
Within the first few pages I was struck by how well this book walked the tightrope of middle ground. For a book that is in many ways grounded in politics due to its subject matter of the polarization of American culture, it seemed very a-political while also calling us to take a political stance. At no point am I told that liberals have it right and I must become a Democrat or that conservative Republicans are closest to God. Instead, McKinley brings up a variety of issues (i.e. consumerism, refugees, work culture, sexuality) that the political sphere also addresses and urges reader to take a Christ-centered stance on these topics. No political party gets it right because the Gospel transcends American government. It was refreshing.
I've found myself lovingly convicted throughout this book of my apathy and my desire to assimilate into Babylon. It has ignited a fire and reminded me that I am to be an ambassador of Christ rather than simply acknowledging he exists.
It's a fantastic book, and I will definitely read it again. I believe it's the kind of book I could read once a year and learn something new from each time.
Read it. Devour it. Love it.
Before I launch into my review, let me just say: if you are a Christian living in America, you MUST read this book.
[BACKGROUND STORY BECAUSE I LIKE TO HEAR MYSELF TALK]
I first saw this book on the shelves of Powell's Books out in Portland about a year ago. The cover drew me in (along with the fact that it was sitting amongst the featured texts when you walked in the door), and while it was intriguing enough for me to take a picture and write a note to pick it up at the library later, I left it on the shelf and picked up another book of which I have yet to reach the third chapter. (I'm looking at you Six of Crows.)
The picture continued to resurface throughout the year, but I ignored it. I'm not one for "Christian" books. I don't particularly like listening to books other than the Bible when it comes to picking up "how to's" on living the Christian life.
Yet, after a three day weekend where all I wanted was a good book to read, I decided to finally pick it up at the library. When the library didn't acknowledge its existence, I made the decision to spring for it on Amazon.
The book arrived, I started reading, and I didn't stop.
I finished it in 3 days.
[THE ACTUAL REVIEW]
Within the first few pages I was struck by how well this book walked the tightrope of middle ground. For a book that is in many ways grounded in politics due to its subject matter of the polarization of American culture, it seemed very a-political while also calling us to take a political stance. At no point am I told that liberals have it right and I must become a Democrat or that conservative Republicans are closest to God. Instead, McKinley brings up a variety of issues (i.e. consumerism, refugees, work culture, sexuality) that the political sphere also addresses and urges reader to take a Christ-centered stance on these topics. No political party gets it right because the Gospel transcends American government. It was refreshing.
I've found myself lovingly convicted throughout this book of my apathy and my desire to assimilate into Babylon. It has ignited a fire and reminded me that I am to be an ambassador of Christ rather than simply acknowledging he exists.
It's a fantastic book, and I will definitely read it again. I believe it's the kind of book I could read once a year and learn something new from each time.
Read it. Devour it. Love it.
jdparker9's review against another edition
4.0
Rick McKinley published a very helpful book in Faith for This Moment: Navigating a Polarized World as the People of God, and I recommend it especially for those struggling to conceive of the church's place and purpose today. I have felt out of step with the broader evangelical movement for some time, despite being firmly entrenched within it, and no small reason for my alienation is the shark-jumping that took place in 2016. In The Most Important Election of Our Lifetimes™, depending on who you asked, the choice was literally between the Antichrist and King David Come Again; the "more circumspect" had the wherewithal to call the president-elect Cyrus rather than David. Nevertheless, staging this election as a cosmic, nigh apocalyptic battle, wherein one candidate is blessed and another cursed, screams of special pleading (since, let's get real, most presidents are at best indifferent to the absolute claim of the kingdom of god).
All that to say, 2016 and the subsequent bending-over-backwards to justify, sanctify, and glorify every little thing the president has done as a post facto justification of their tainted vote (because, again, the antichrist) has left me entirely disillusioned with the evangelical perception of the church's space--not to mention greater allegiance--in today's world.
McKinley's Faith for This Moment is a balm in this culture. McKinley gently reminds the reader that the Christ-follower has a citizenship in heaven that wars with the nationalism and earthly citizenship. Further, and more helpfully, the author sketches practical and principled ways in which such citizenship is lived out. Whereas we have drunk so deeply of American culture that we don't recognize "this is water," we need to read the Scripture--and therefore our "water"--with fresh eyes, eyes attuned to the anti-real reality in which we move and seeking the real reality breaking into our world, the blazing sun piercing the night.
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Disclosure: I received this book free from Baker Books through the Baker Books Bloggers http://www.bakerbooks.com/bakerbooksbloggers program. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html.
All that to say, 2016 and the subsequent bending-over-backwards to justify, sanctify, and glorify every little thing the president has done as a post facto justification of their tainted vote (because, again, the antichrist) has left me entirely disillusioned with the evangelical perception of the church's space--not to mention greater allegiance--in today's world.
McKinley's Faith for This Moment is a balm in this culture. McKinley gently reminds the reader that the Christ-follower has a citizenship in heaven that wars with the nationalism and earthly citizenship. Further, and more helpfully, the author sketches practical and principled ways in which such citizenship is lived out. Whereas we have drunk so deeply of American culture that we don't recognize "this is water," we need to read the Scripture--and therefore our "water"--with fresh eyes, eyes attuned to the anti-real reality in which we move and seeking the real reality breaking into our world, the blazing sun piercing the night.
<><><>
Disclosure: I received this book free from Baker Books through the Baker Books Bloggers http://www.bakerbooks.com/bakerbooksbloggers program. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html.
nattyc96's review against another edition
4.0
McKinley hits on a subtle truth. We are exiles in a foreign land. Are we living like it?