The Sky is Not Falling: Living Fearlessly in These Turbulent Times

by Charles W. Colson

Chuck Colson equips readers to live fearlessly, with confidence in God’s love and ultimate power, in the midst of an increasingly godless world. Yes, the world is an increasingly godless place. And it’s never been as pronounced as it is in this era of 24-hour news cycles. From nasty political power struggles to raunchy reality TV, everywhere we look there is evidence of our culture’s steep decline. But it’s no time for Christians to cower in fear. In The Sky Is Not Falling, bestselling author Chuck Colson equips readers with the truth about the most difficult cultural and moral issues of our day and brings clarity and sanity to a world that seems to have gone mad. His message is that Christians must be informed of the truth of today’s confusing social and political issues so that we can live with the confidence and certainty that God has the future in his hands. Every concerned Christian needs to arm themselves with the profound insights in The Sky is Not Falling.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Politics, Christianity

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Almost 40 years ago, Charles W. Colson was not thinking about reaching out to prison inmates or reforming the U.S. penal system. In fact, this aide to President Richard Nixon was "incapable of humanitarian thought," according to the media of the mid-1970s. Colson was known as the White House "hatchet man," a man feared by even the most powerful politicos during his four years of service to Nixon.

When news of Colson's conversion to Christianity leaked to the press in 1973, The Boston Globe reported, "If Mr. Colson can repent of his sins, there just has to be hope for everybody." Colson would agree.

In 1974 Colson entered a plea of guilty to Watergate-related charges; although not implicated in the Watergate burglary, he voluntarily pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice in the Daniel Ellsberg Case. He entered Alabama's Maxwell Prison in 1974 as a new Christian and as the first member of the Nixon administration to be incarcerated for Watergate-related charges. He served seven months of a one- to three-year sentence.

After leaving prison, Colson founded Prison Fellowship Ministries in 1976, which has since become the world's largest outreach to prisoners, ex-prisoners and their families. Today, Colson remains a member of the board of Prison Fellowship Ministries.

A sought-after speaker, Colson has written more than 30 books, which collectively have sold more than 5 million copies. His autobiographical book, Born Again, was one of the nation's best-selling books of all genres in 1976. Another bestseller, co-authored by Nancy Pearcey, How Now Shall We Live, is considered one of the most important books written on the subject of Christian worldview. His most recent book, The Faith, is a powerful appeal to the Church to re-embrace the foundational truths of Christianity.

In 1991 Colson launched BreakPoint, a unique radio commentary that provides a Christian perspective on today's news and trends. BreakPoint is currently aired weekdays to more than 1,300 outlets nationwide that reach and estimated 2 million listeners.

Today Colson is focused full time on developing other Christian leaders who can influence the culture and their communities through their faith. The capstone of this effort is The Chuck Colson Center for Christian Worldview, an online research and training center launched in 2009 for the promotion of Christian worldview teaching. In addition to a vast library of worldview materials, the Colson Center provides online courses and serves as a catalyst for a growing movement of Christian organizations dedicated to impacting the culture. The Colson Center website also hosts Colson's popular weekly Two-Minute Warning video commentary aimed at engaging a younger generation with a biblical perspective on cultural issues.

In 2009, Colson was a principal writer of the Manhattan Declaration, which calls on Christians to defend the sanctity of human life, traditional marriage and religious freedom. Nearly half a million people have signed the Manhattan Declaration. Collaborating with other Christian ministries, BreakPoint aims to launch other ecumenical grassroots movements around moral and ethical issues of great concern.

In recognition of his work, Colson received the prestigious Templeton Prize for progress in religion in 1993, donating the $1 million prize to Prison Fellowship. Colson's other awards have included the Presidential Citizens Medal, the nation's second-highest civilian honor (2008); the Humanitarian Award from Dominos Pizza Corporation (1991); The Others Award from The Salvation Army (1990); the Outstanding Young Man of Boston from the Boston Chamber of Commerce (1960); and several honorary doctorates from various colleges and universities (1982-2000).

Reviews

[Justin Steckbauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Sky is Not Falling by the late Charles Colson is a must-read for our current generation. Many young people don't seem to understand what is happening in our culture. This is a powerful read with all manner of facts regarding the attacks on religious liberty in the United States. Charles Colson was well ahead of his time. The only downside is despite the title of "living fearlessly" this book is actually a very disturbing read that seems to indicate that the sky is falling.

[Pathway Midland]

For the month of March I read the Sky is Not Falling, by Charles Colson. Just let me start out by saying that this is a very intelligent man, and he argues very good points. He writes in a way which may seem wordy to some, but for me it was actually kind of fun trying to decypher his enhanced vocabulary. Charles Colson has a strange history, and I didn't really know that till I read this book. Colson was a Special Counsel to President Nixon during the Watergate Scandal, and actually served some prison time after pleading guilty for obstruction of justice. He served seven months at the Maxwell Correctional Facililty in Alabama, and formed a prison ministry after his release. This book addresses nearly every social issue us Christians argue about. If you're confused about topics like evolution, abortion, homosexuality, violence, or ethics, and how these topics relate to our government, you should take a look at this book. Colson presents his opinion in a clear-cut and organized manner, and has plenty of factual evidence to support his claims. He not only describes the current problems Christians are facing in our society, but he also gives the reader a hopeful solution to these problems. Its very evident that this man has plenty of experience in the social arena, and will offer insightful and practical hints to solve the issues that Christians face every day. This book will inform you, embolden you, and propel you in a way many books cannot.

-Caleb

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a weird read for me. It very well encapsulates everything about the conservative Christian Evangelical movement that I belonged to. There are many, many parts of this that I just read, laughed about, and moved on from because I have grown so much in my faith and my thinking. Some of his arguments are reminiscent of the false beliefs that conservatives, including conservative Christians, tend to attack, such as his description of postmodernism.

At the same time, this book is a reminder of how fall conservatives, and especially conservative Christians, have fallen recently. It’s hard to see Chuck Colson, who so vehemently denounces immorality in all forms, siding with a man like Trump. At the same time, it is largely Colson’s former supporters who supported Trump. Colson is very clear: while he believes conservative Christians are called to have an influence in all parts of society, they begin that by cleaning up their own house, and by loving everyone, especially those society typically ignores. Chuck Colson lived this as founder of Prison Fellowship, and it is clear in his writing. While I just don’t agree with everything he says anymore, at least if conservatives ever returned to this we might see things in the US change for the better.

[Randy Corn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sky Is Not Falling by Charles Colson, Worthy Publishing, 2007, 4 hours 43 minutes

This book is a collection of the editorials that Colson wrote for Christianity Today. The subtitle is “living fearlessly in these turbulent times.” It chronicles many of the issues of the early 2000’s that sadly have only gotten worse a decade later. Colson is not being pessimistic in this survey. He is first being realistic by stating just how bad things are and where they will inevitably lead, but he is also optimistic stating that the gospel of Jesus Christ can turn the tide. He comments that he has seen this more than once in one of the most unlikely of places, prisons.

Like most books that deal with contemporary issues, the citing of news events dates this book. Still, it deals with broad issues which are timeless. If anything, the perspective of more than a decade from publication reinforces the points that Colson is making.

[Grayson Zaragoza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Concise in the writing, deep in its implications, and meaningful from top to bottom, Chuck Colson encourages and inspires Christians to become involved in politics and their communities for the right reasons. He compares and contrasts various political and cultural moments of the last two decades and unpacks their significance in our changing American culture. Ultimately, his dialogue on worldview, love, and the place of the Christian in modern society is compelling, hopeful, and challenging. Definitely a book I recommend for all Christians.

[Phillip · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great follow-up to How Now Shall We Live? by the same author. As a result, no review is really necessary; however, I would still recommend reading this book. Charles Colson, through his books, is always relevant to the day and age of his audience. Reading his books is never a waste of time.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chuck colson’s writing is always timely and on point. This book is still relevant today. While I reading it I thought it could of been written in the last 2 years. The more things change the more they stay the same.

The true transformation of culture is the church taking her rightful place. This is my second Charles Colson book that I’ve read and he’s slowly becoming one of my favorites.

[Carla May · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's kind of a waste getting a Charles Colson book from the library since I feel like I should read with highlighter in hand for the inevitable future reference!

[Caleb Otto · Rating 3 out of 5]

I disagree with the thesis of this book, but he raises some thought provoking ideas.

[Vikki Stringham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent work addressing some of the issues in our 21st century American culture. It could use an update, but as Colson has passed away, that is no longer possible.

[Paul Hendricks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stepping out of the box but not away from the Book (Bible)

Thought provoking to th point of being dangerous but grounded in truth
Challenging to religiously comfortable to abandon comfort for Spiritual relevance

[Don Krause · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE BOOK I'M READING
The Sky Is Not Falling by Charles Colson
Publisher: Worthy Publishing. Pp.227
First saw this title in a book store in Seattle and then borrowed it from our local library which brought it in for me.
Like in his other titles, Colson makes broad observations mostly referring to man’s relationship with the Christian God, and this one is about the spiritual welfare of American evangelicalism and its place in American culture. In many, if not most issues he addresses, the same concerns could be applied to most Western countries and cultures. He tackles the eroding morality, the intentional push away from Christian principles in every public institution, and points out the unsettling loss in America of its identity. For at least two-thirds of the book, the reader cannot discover assurances that the sky is not falling, but in the latter part of the book Colson does offer some possible solutions and pointedly challenges Christians to be bold and clever in moving the American culture back to Christian principles. Some would argue that this was never Jesus’ intention, Jesus the originator of the Christian movement. Others might say that Colson is only repackaging concepts that have been discussed elsewhere. Still, it is a well-conceived work, and he keeps writing well, bringing his unique former Whitehouse and later prison experience to assess present cultural dynamics.

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intelligent book on the cultural civil war that we are now in and how our worldview determines how we approach everything. I'll go through this book again, slowly, to digest all he said and to clarify my thinking, and approach, to many of the issues he raised. It's also a challenge for me to upgrade my reading and thinking skills and to apply them to my everyday conversation and communication. I like a good book that makes me think.

[Nanette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ironic and sad that I was reading this book when Chuck Colson died. Incredibly powerful book. Much for individuals and the church to take away from this book in terms of approaching secular worldviews.

[Jeannie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good look at worldview and the difference a Christian worldview can make...

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good one from Colson. Helps to keep one's hopes up.

[Jeremy Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciate much of what Colson had to say, but he has way too much faith in the government.