Book Review: Think Christianly

Think Christianly, written by Jonathan Morrow, takes a close look at culture and describes what it means to have a Christian worldview. How do we apply the Scriptures in a postmodern culture that claims that truth is relative? How do we respond to issues of importance in our 21^st-century world? This is the intersection of faith and culture.

Various chapters in the book address issues relevant to our world today, including topics such as abortion, cloning, evolution, the environment, politics, economics, pornography, homosexuality, media, and other issues that some Christians are uncomfortable addressing in the church today. But shouldn’t the church be the place that people can come with their questions? Instead of being afraid to acknowledge doubts and questions, the author encourages congregations to discuss such topics on Sunday morning, creating a safe spot for individuals to explore their questions and beliefs and helping them to think on these issues and how they will engage with these cultural issues each day. The book offers ideas to help churches engage the culture and become the embodiment of truth and love.

At the end of each chapter, the author suggests a list of resources related to that chapter’s subject. There is also a short interview at the end of the chapter with an individual regarding the topic at hand. Since I serve in children’s ministry, the chapter on training the next generation especially captured my interest. The author interviewed Reggie Joiner, founder of the reThink Group and leader of the Orange movement, connecting church and home. Developing a Christian worldview needs to start at a young age. As we prepare children to enter the real world and face these cultural issues, how can we best equip them to know God and experience a daily relationship with Him? How can we help them grow as they navigate through their questions and develop an authentic faith? How can we help them connect the truth they are learning and discovering to everyday life? Check out Think Christianly to learn more.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from Zondervan as part of the Think Christianly blog tour on the Engaging Church site.

Common English Bible Giveaway - Ends Saturday, May 5

As a member of the Common English Bible "Change Your Heart and Life" blog tour, I have the opportunity to offer my readers the chance to win their own softcover copy of the CEB! Congratulations to Vincent, who was last week's winner! If you did not win last week, don't worry! Another giveaway for a softcover edition of this Bible begins today! Here are the ways in which you can enter this giveaway:

• Leave a comment on this post telling your favorite book of the Bible and why it is your favorite.
• Tweet the following and leave a comment stating you have done so: "Enter to #win a copy of the @CommonEngBible @letthemcome1014 http://letthemcome1014.blogspot.com #CEBtour #giveaway"
• Read one of the Psalms (your choice) and then leave a comment stating which one you read.
• Join this site (see link at the bottom of the page) and leave a comment stating you have done so.

Each task you complete counts as one entry. You must leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to count. This giveaway is only open to U.S. addresses. All comments must be posted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on Saturday, May 5, 2012. Check back the following Monday for a reply on this post to see if you are the winner!

"Every scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for showing mistakes, for correcting, and for training character, so that the person who belongs to God can be equipped to do everything that is good." - 2 Timothy 3:16-17 CEB