New definitions

All the social re-engineering that has been going on in this country is pretty sad. Actually, it is worse than sad. However, I have to admit that is is truly fascinating to watch how ridiculously effective the liberal strategy is. I've been especially interested in how successfully they have been able to reshape many debates by commandeering the language. With the help of almost the entire journalism profession and lots of activist groups they have been quite efficient at getting people to believe lies by taking over a lot of our vocabulary.

Here's a sample. The left knows that it is quite clear that murder or killing is not too palatable for most people. So they have taken the idea of killing babies still in the womb and relabeled it as "reproductive rights" or "women's health care". It would be funny if it were not so tragic. However, once again, it has duped millions of Americans into thinking that abortion is something other than what it really is.

The left has also managed to sway a lot of opinions by making everything about hate and fear rather than reason. For example, if you believe in the rule of law and national sovereignty and therefore feel that people who enter our country should do so legally and through proper channels, you are no longer considered reasonable and prudent. You are now considered a xenophobe. You are help up as an intolerant, uncaring, terrible human being. Clear thinking people can easily see the flaws in this. Yet, millions of Americans buy the liberal slant. I guess it somehow makes them feel like they have some moral high ground.

Another example. If you have a basic understanding of what millions, literally millions of Muslims believe, if you grasp the massive ideological differences between sharia law and the United States constitution, and this causes great concern to you. If it is clear to you that many, many Muslims (note that I am not saying all Muslims are out to form Caliphates and enforce sharia, maybe there are more who are not than who are, but there are over a billion Muslims in the world so if even 10% of them want these things...)  are not interested  in assimilation and this bothers you because you do not want your culture to become like that of the middle east. If you see things this way, then you are no longer a patriot or a cogent thinker, you are now Islamophobic. And once again, millions of Americans buy into this and consider you to be the problem.

These are just a couple of examples of how progressives have twisted language to accomplish their purposes. It is planned and intentional. It is just one tool they are using to bring their agenda into reality in America. And, like I said, it is fascinating to watch. It might be something to marvel at were it not so heinous and were it not leading us down a dark, dark path. Give it some thought.

Help us, Jesus!

"The Next Christians" a review

I've just read The Next Christians: The Good News About The End Of Christian America by Gabe Lyons and a few thoughts follow. The Next Christians makes the case that Christianity in America is in sad shape; so sad that we are actually in a post Christian era. Lyons however, is persuaded that we should be optimistic about the future of Christianity due to those he dubs "restorers". Lyons proclaims that the work of Jesus was/is all about restoring people and the universe to the state of wholeness and goodness that existed before the fall. Restorers then, are Christians who seek to restore goodness, beauty, truth, justice, etc. to our culture; indeed to all people.

Lyons describes how restorers live out six special characteristics in seven channels of cultural influence. They desire to do this for the sake of Jesus. If I understand what Lyons is saying, the difference between restorers and the Christians of the past 2000 years is that the goal of the restorers is simply to do these good things. If people find salvation through Christ in the process, that is a bonus, but not necessarily the main objective. To his credit though, Lyons does exhort Christians to keep the gospel as the highest priority of life. He claims that when Christians practice the lifestyle of a restorer the result will be that people are saved.

Lyons has certainly done his homework here. He provides statistical results from various studies to support his claims. He also provides numerous real life illustrations based on personal friendships and interviews to demonstrate the demise of Christianity as well as to illustrate the good things that restorers are doing. Some of the stories he cites are interesting whereas others, not so much.

I did enjoy the book. Lyon's writing is clear and easy to follow, although not extremely engaging. However, I did find his narrative of the gospel in chapter four to be fresh and enjoyable. Overall I give the book a C+ for writing, B for holding interest, C+ for consistency and logical conclusions, A for optimism, and B for provoking further thought.

In short, if you put all the trendy phrases and personal illustrations and anecdotal stories aside, Lyons is saying that he expects revival. I hope he is right.

Who might enjoy or benefit from The Next Christians? Any Christians interested in ideas for social justice ministry or outreach to the lost. Anyone intrigued by the message of the emerging church movement (this is not to say that Lyons is definitely a part of that movement). People who think Christians are jerks. Christians who are interested in living more fully for Christ.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 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 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”