Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
If I could crudely summarize Metaxas’ letter here, it would be to say that the American church and America as a whole is far worse off than we may want to admit. This is not an eschatological statement so much as it as rebuke of the old guard who failed to stand up for the Truth of Christ and the new guard who fails to take back the ground that was lost. This is a major part of this letter, but to basically wake up and look around. In reality, the American church has not sunk as deeply as we feared, because it never really rose as high as we believed. This will be studied for some time in the future.
Secondly, the letter calls for action. Action looks different for all of us, whether it be political, missional, pedagogical, and so forth. But it always looks like something. It shows movement. It is alive. Simply standing by and observing and pontificating does very little for those who desire and seek after real, noticeable, meaningful, and quantifiable change.
Secondly, the letter calls for action. Action looks different for all of us, whether it be political, missional, pedagogical, and so forth. But it always looks like something. It shows movement. It is alive. Simply standing by and observing and pontificating does very little for those who desire and seek after real, noticeable, meaningful, and quantifiable change.
If zero stars were an option, I would have chosen that. Had I known he said Donald trump is a “beacon of courage for the church”… I wouldn’t even have started this book. I guess by making fun of mentally challenged congregants, sexually assaulting women, and disparaging anyone who disagrees with him, he believes Donald Trump is reflective of Christ and the Gospel. Donald Trump is the antithesis of the Gospel and for that reason alone, I would not and cannot in good conscience suggest anyone who believes in the goodness and mercy of Christ read this book. Did not finish, and am disgusted I even started.
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
emotional
medium-paced
This is an intensely bigoted and frankly psychotic screed against progressivism. The author lambasts and mocks Christians who are not as extremist as he is. He even has the gall to compare transgender people to Nazis. He thinks he is being persecuted simply because other people are living their lives as they see fit outside his little box. Utterly repulsive and pathetic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Transphobia, Religious bigotry
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
tense
slow-paced
There are a few premises in this book that I agree with, mainly that the American church is broken and needs to be standing up against evil, and should also be involved in politics/voting/the conversation. As the church, we are called to speak up and be a voice for the voiceless.
That being said, it is not a good book (thankfully it was short). The tone is VERY argumentative, black or white thinking, and generally unloving and partisan. God is in control, regardless which party is in power. And to make the argument that Christians should really only be supporting one party kinda makes the party/politics an idol in and of itself.
One of the quotes that gave me the biggest ick was: "When patriotic Americans are unfairly demonized as “white supremacists,” are we not obliged to stand up for them just as we are obliged to stand up for those victims of racism in our past?"
That being said, it is not a good book (thankfully it was short). The tone is VERY argumentative, black or white thinking, and generally unloving and partisan. God is in control, regardless which party is in power. And to make the argument that Christians should really only be supporting one party kinda makes the party/politics an idol in and of itself.
One of the quotes that gave me the biggest ick was: "When patriotic Americans are unfairly demonized as “white supremacists,” are we not obliged to stand up for them just as we are obliged to stand up for those victims of racism in our past?"
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
At about 1 hour into this audio book, I deeply regretted my decision to start it. I went into it completely blind and was amazed at the high ratings I saw on goodreads. It was quickly apparent that the author is a very alt-right conservative christian, which is fine. I have no issues with anybody believing in a god, but his use of the words "fact" and "truth" for ideas he believes was a clear sign that he has no ability to use reason and/or logic. Why not just say I believe this or that? Anyway, I see why he has the high ratings, the readers of this material must just be people with the same world-view and just love what he is renting about. I should have done more research into the author, but I will chalk it up to at least now I have a better understanding of the alt-right mentality.
A very poignant message that should not be ignored. Could not put this book down, even though there were many times I wanted to. It cuts to the bone, eliminating any fluff and "religiosity" we might use as our excuse to stay silent. Recommend for everyone, not just pastors and church leaders. It is, after all, a letter to the church.
slow-paced