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Culture Shift: Engaging Current Issues with Timeless Truth
Are you prepared to address the most challenging cultural issues of your time?
Mass media and technology are exploding. Popular entertainment relentlessly pushes the envelope. Biomedicine stretches ethical boundaries. Political issues shift with the polls.
The world in which you live is in the midst of a major cultural transformation–one leading to a widespread lack of faith, an increase in moral relativism, and a rejection of absolute truth. How are we to remain faithful followers of Christ as we live in this ever-shifting culture? How should we think about–and respond to–the crucial moral questions of our day? How can we stand up for the truth?
In Culture Shift, Dr. R. Albert Mohler–one of today’s leading Christian thinkers and spokespersons–addresses these tough topics clearly, biblically and
•Christian faith and politics
•The Supreme Court and religion
•The truth about terrorism
•Christian parents and public schools
•The abortion debate
•Christian response to global tragedies
•And many more
Here is trustworthy help for developing a comprehensive Christian worldview. It’s timely information powerfully connected to timeless truth that will equip you to stand strong and speak out.
Mass media and technology are exploding. Popular entertainment relentlessly pushes the envelope. Biomedicine stretches ethical boundaries. Political issues shift with the polls.
The world in which you live is in the midst of a major cultural transformation–one leading to a widespread lack of faith, an increase in moral relativism, and a rejection of absolute truth. How are we to remain faithful followers of Christ as we live in this ever-shifting culture? How should we think about–and respond to–the crucial moral questions of our day? How can we stand up for the truth?
In Culture Shift, Dr. R. Albert Mohler–one of today’s leading Christian thinkers and spokespersons–addresses these tough topics clearly, biblically and
•Christian faith and politics
•The Supreme Court and religion
•The truth about terrorism
•Christian parents and public schools
•The abortion debate
•Christian response to global tragedies
•And many more
Here is trustworthy help for developing a comprehensive Christian worldview. It’s timely information powerfully connected to timeless truth that will equip you to stand strong and speak out.
176 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
34 people are currently reading
497 people want to read
About the author
R. Albert Mohler Jr.
113 books415 followersDr. R. Albert Mohler Jr. serves as president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary - the flagship school of the Southern Baptist Convention and one of the largest seminaries in the world.
Dr. Mohler has been recognized by such influential publications as Time and Christianity Today as a leader among American evangelicals. In fact, Time.com called him the “reigning intellectual of the evangelical movement in the U.S.”
In addition to his presidential duties, Dr. Mohler hosts two programs: “The Briefing,” a daily analysis of news and events from a Christian worldview; and “Thinking in Public,” a series of conversations with the day’s leading thinkers. He also writes a popular blog and a regular commentary on moral, cultural and theological issues. All of these can be accessed through Dr. Mohler’s website, www.AlbertMohler.com. Called “an articulate voice for conservative Christianity at large” by The Chicago Tribune, Dr. Mohler’s mission is to address contemporary issues from a consistent and explicit Christian worldview.
Dr. Mohler has been recognized by such influential publications as Time and Christianity Today as a leader among American evangelicals. In fact, Time.com called him the “reigning intellectual of the evangelical movement in the U.S.”
In addition to his presidential duties, Dr. Mohler hosts two programs: “The Briefing,” a daily analysis of news and events from a Christian worldview; and “Thinking in Public,” a series of conversations with the day’s leading thinkers. He also writes a popular blog and a regular commentary on moral, cultural and theological issues. All of these can be accessed through Dr. Mohler’s website, www.AlbertMohler.com. Called “an articulate voice for conservative Christianity at large” by The Chicago Tribune, Dr. Mohler’s mission is to address contemporary issues from a consistent and explicit Christian worldview.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
stricken
July 16, 2014the blurb mentions an "aggressive new atheism." Let me guess: it's the atheists who're bombing Planned Parenthood facilities and putting up death lists of women's providers? And atheists who are pushing for laws that deny women control of their own bodies? And who are in favor of the death penalty? And who refuse to vote for Christians for elective office. And who are pushing for the inclusion of religious dogma in science classes? and who are seeking to deny basic rights to consenting adults? Um, hm.
June 20, 2018
I have great respect for Albert Mohler - he is a 'big' thinker and quick with remembering details to tie topics, events, circumstances together. This is a good read and will make you think about the depth of situations in our culture.
March 13, 2018
This a series of essays that are classic Mohler - brilliant, relevant, and informative. He gives ideas on how to engage the world and its deteriorating culture with rational and Biblical arguments.
December 28, 2020
20 short essays that have a similar feel to The Briefing
Read
March 16, 2016(Grad school read)
Interesting and very readable overview of current moral topics in America that have divided our nation. I especially enjoyed the chapters on racism and how white Americans often expect racial minorities to enter "our world" while not thinking to enter theirs, as well as the chapter on Islam and what it actually means to be a "Muslim nation" and "Christian nation," in both the context of Western civilization and in predominantly Muslim countries.
While readable, however, I thought the chapters were incredibly short, and he was sort of all over the place. The book read like a collection of blog posts, which is fine if you want a really broad view of issues, but I would have preferred a tighter focus and for him to address more sides to issues, like "New Atheism," abortion, and the aforementioned racism.
Interesting and very readable overview of current moral topics in America that have divided our nation. I especially enjoyed the chapters on racism and how white Americans often expect racial minorities to enter "our world" while not thinking to enter theirs, as well as the chapter on Islam and what it actually means to be a "Muslim nation" and "Christian nation," in both the context of Western civilization and in predominantly Muslim countries.
While readable, however, I thought the chapters were incredibly short, and he was sort of all over the place. The book read like a collection of blog posts, which is fine if you want a really broad view of issues, but I would have preferred a tighter focus and for him to address more sides to issues, like "New Atheism," abortion, and the aforementioned racism.
April 5, 2020
Mohler is perceptive, analytical, and wise in his treatment of so many different topics covered in this book. His work is unique in a handful of ways. For instance, there are 25 chapters, making each about 6-8 pages in length. The coverage is quick but sharp and insightful. Another unique aspect is the presentation; Mohler frequently engages with a line of thinking, recent headline in the news, or literary work on the culture and then weaves in his own biblical evaluation. It is less of an advancement of his own ideas and more of an application of wise biblical truth to contemporary issues of the day. Anyone familiar with the daily news briefing Mohler delivers each morning will find this material very similar, just in written form.
In an increasingly divisive, immoral, and relativistic world, Mohler is skillful in equipping Christians with compelling, faithful, and biblical responses to current challenges. While no reader will become an expert from one read over any of the areas Mohler addresses, there are many helpful truths to glean here. Entire books have been written on each individual topic and for those who don't pursue the philosopher's life in the study for extended hours each day, Mohler's work is a fine sketch on a multitude of prevalent issues. I presume that for many, this will be a launching point into deeper conversations sparked by these topics. My only critique comes from the book's occasional brevity. A few of the chapters are almost so short they could be left out. The reader can barely become oriented to the landscape and argumentation put forth before the next chapter rolls around.
In the preface, Mohler references Jesus' summation of the law, to love God and love neighbor. He states that the Christian life can summarized by the two great commands to love God heart, soul, and mind and love our neighbor as ourselves (Matt. 22:36-40). These two great commandments provide the grounds for his thesis and purpose in the book. "We must first understand our culture and its challenges because we are to be faithful witnesses to the gospel. We are called to faithfulness, and faithfulness requires that we be ready to think as Christians when confronted with the crucial issues of the day. This is all rooted in our love of God. But Jesus also commanded love of neighbor, and Christians must be driven by love of neighbor as we confront the issues of our day" (xvii-xviii). Yes, and not only does Mohler seek to help believers be ready, but he realizes the finality of this world, its forms, and ideas. "In the end, the culture and its challenges will pass away. But our Lord has left us here for a reason-as His people, we are to be salt and light in a dying world" (xviii).
While the entire book was solid, a few chapters were of particular interest. Chapter 5 introduces the culture of offendedness which, in my opinion, is a culture that has only grown since Mohler wrote back in 2011. While to be offended formerly carried a very serious weight to it as it indicated causing someone to fall, fail, be brought down, or crushed. And Jesus spoke a very serious warning to those who offended the little ones (Matt. 5:29). However, today, "all that is required is often the vaguest notion of emotional distaste at what another has said, done, proposed, or presented. That shift in the meaning of the word and in its culture usage is subtle but extremely significant" (31). Mohler sums it up with a great point, namely that Christians, "given our mandate to share the gospel and to speak openly and publicly about Jesus Christ and the Christian faith, Christians must understand a particular responsibility to protect free speech and to resist this culture of offendedness that threatens to shut down all public discourse" (33). One can't help but think how society is already being encouraged toward oversensitivity.
Additional high points included his chapters on terrorism, natural disaster, public schooling, and the coddled, soft generation of young people.
Terrorism reminds us that we live in a dangerous world and moral relativism is stripped of its disguise in the face of unavoidable evil (ch. 7). "A naive non-judgmentalism often masquerades as moral humility. But a refusal to make moral judgments is not humility. It is insanity." (49). Mohler goes on to cite how the university culture has wholeheartedly embraced this as a comprehensive worldview.
In his chapter on public schools, Mohler alludes to the checkered historical background of the public school which pales in comparison to the controversies they are facing today. On the positive side, public schools have brought hundreds of millions of American children into a democracy of common citizenship, but this vision has been largely "displaced by an ideologically driven attempt to force a radically secular worldview" (60). Mohler ultimately arrives at the conclusion that it is time for Christians to begin formulating an exit strategy. As new headlines and wave after wave of novel educational initiatives aimed at teaching the next generation a new moral ethic come on to the scene, Christian parents will have to make a decision. As it is their responsibility to disciple, train, educate their children, who will be up to the task? The public school would love to stake their claim.
Chapters 10-11 were also enjoyable as Mohler interacts with a growing trend of the coddling of young people. More often than being split on political values, America is more often split on two competing visions of America: hard or soft. These two views are pitted in terms of coddling vs. competition, therapy vs. truth, and self-esteem vs. pride in genuine achievement. Unfortunately, soft America has left "most young Americans unprepared for the real demands of adulthood" (81).
In an increasingly divisive, immoral, and relativistic world, Mohler is skillful in equipping Christians with compelling, faithful, and biblical responses to current challenges. While no reader will become an expert from one read over any of the areas Mohler addresses, there are many helpful truths to glean here. Entire books have been written on each individual topic and for those who don't pursue the philosopher's life in the study for extended hours each day, Mohler's work is a fine sketch on a multitude of prevalent issues. I presume that for many, this will be a launching point into deeper conversations sparked by these topics. My only critique comes from the book's occasional brevity. A few of the chapters are almost so short they could be left out. The reader can barely become oriented to the landscape and argumentation put forth before the next chapter rolls around.
In the preface, Mohler references Jesus' summation of the law, to love God and love neighbor. He states that the Christian life can summarized by the two great commands to love God heart, soul, and mind and love our neighbor as ourselves (Matt. 22:36-40). These two great commandments provide the grounds for his thesis and purpose in the book. "We must first understand our culture and its challenges because we are to be faithful witnesses to the gospel. We are called to faithfulness, and faithfulness requires that we be ready to think as Christians when confronted with the crucial issues of the day. This is all rooted in our love of God. But Jesus also commanded love of neighbor, and Christians must be driven by love of neighbor as we confront the issues of our day" (xvii-xviii). Yes, and not only does Mohler seek to help believers be ready, but he realizes the finality of this world, its forms, and ideas. "In the end, the culture and its challenges will pass away. But our Lord has left us here for a reason-as His people, we are to be salt and light in a dying world" (xviii).
While the entire book was solid, a few chapters were of particular interest. Chapter 5 introduces the culture of offendedness which, in my opinion, is a culture that has only grown since Mohler wrote back in 2011. While to be offended formerly carried a very serious weight to it as it indicated causing someone to fall, fail, be brought down, or crushed. And Jesus spoke a very serious warning to those who offended the little ones (Matt. 5:29). However, today, "all that is required is often the vaguest notion of emotional distaste at what another has said, done, proposed, or presented. That shift in the meaning of the word and in its culture usage is subtle but extremely significant" (31). Mohler sums it up with a great point, namely that Christians, "given our mandate to share the gospel and to speak openly and publicly about Jesus Christ and the Christian faith, Christians must understand a particular responsibility to protect free speech and to resist this culture of offendedness that threatens to shut down all public discourse" (33). One can't help but think how society is already being encouraged toward oversensitivity.
Additional high points included his chapters on terrorism, natural disaster, public schooling, and the coddled, soft generation of young people.
Terrorism reminds us that we live in a dangerous world and moral relativism is stripped of its disguise in the face of unavoidable evil (ch. 7). "A naive non-judgmentalism often masquerades as moral humility. But a refusal to make moral judgments is not humility. It is insanity." (49). Mohler goes on to cite how the university culture has wholeheartedly embraced this as a comprehensive worldview.
In his chapter on public schools, Mohler alludes to the checkered historical background of the public school which pales in comparison to the controversies they are facing today. On the positive side, public schools have brought hundreds of millions of American children into a democracy of common citizenship, but this vision has been largely "displaced by an ideologically driven attempt to force a radically secular worldview" (60). Mohler ultimately arrives at the conclusion that it is time for Christians to begin formulating an exit strategy. As new headlines and wave after wave of novel educational initiatives aimed at teaching the next generation a new moral ethic come on to the scene, Christian parents will have to make a decision. As it is their responsibility to disciple, train, educate their children, who will be up to the task? The public school would love to stake their claim.
Chapters 10-11 were also enjoyable as Mohler interacts with a growing trend of the coddling of young people. More often than being split on political values, America is more often split on two competing visions of America: hard or soft. These two views are pitted in terms of coddling vs. competition, therapy vs. truth, and self-esteem vs. pride in genuine achievement. Unfortunately, soft America has left "most young Americans unprepared for the real demands of adulthood" (81).
July 29, 2018
Dr. Mohler (or "Al" as I like to call him) has a daily podcast, Monday through Friday, that looks at a few news headlines and comments on them from a Christian worldview called, "the Briefing." This is an incredible resource and only takes about 20 minutes of your time. I typically listen to it in the morning when I'm getting ready for work or driving somewhere. I highly recommend Christians download just a few: you will be hooked!
The book, "Cultural Shift" reads a lot like a daily edition of "the Briefing." The message that is coherent through the book is the massive departure of Christianity from our culture. Early on, Dr. Mohler talks about how a few individuals would like to secularize politics, meaning that every political decision that is made must be from the lens that is without a religious background. This of course, as he states, is absurd. It is impossible to have a stance on controversial issues like abortion without a worldview that works in tandem with your religious beliefs (or lack thereof).
Dr. Mohler's book is less like a conventional book and more like a series of essays on many various issues that plague our culture as "controversial" but that also demonstrate the massive shift in political and social thought away from a Christian worldview and into that same secular agenda. For example, one of the most interesting "essays" was on our youth: Dr. Mohler cites many professionals who believe that Americans make weak 18 year olds, but strong 30 year olds. He uses bloated GPA scores form colleges to affirm that parents today are interfering with so much in their childrens lives that they are part of the problem in the weakness of tomorrows leaders: kid gets a "C" in math class, parents are on the phone the next day with the college professor, telling him he must have made a mistake, for example. He talks about how important it is for children to make mistakes, get hurt, learn from doing. The departure from this conventional wisdom, (where parents used to sit on park benches, now they are playing with their kids to ensure they will not injure themselves) he says, makes weak 18 year olds and in a lot of ways, I agree with that. The reason why we make great 30 year olds is because once children or young adults are outside of their parents influence, they do make mistakes in our dog-eat-dog, capitalist society; not only do they make mistakes, but they learn from them.
This is just one example (with way more citations and way more eloquent) of the various issues Dr. Mohler looks at: it speaks to the vast hole we are digging ourselves into as a culture and how that culture has shifted away from God so much, that is crumbling from the inside. With all the statistics and arguments Dr. Mohler makes, it's hard to disagree with him. I highly recommend this book!
The book, "Cultural Shift" reads a lot like a daily edition of "the Briefing." The message that is coherent through the book is the massive departure of Christianity from our culture. Early on, Dr. Mohler talks about how a few individuals would like to secularize politics, meaning that every political decision that is made must be from the lens that is without a religious background. This of course, as he states, is absurd. It is impossible to have a stance on controversial issues like abortion without a worldview that works in tandem with your religious beliefs (or lack thereof).
Dr. Mohler's book is less like a conventional book and more like a series of essays on many various issues that plague our culture as "controversial" but that also demonstrate the massive shift in political and social thought away from a Christian worldview and into that same secular agenda. For example, one of the most interesting "essays" was on our youth: Dr. Mohler cites many professionals who believe that Americans make weak 18 year olds, but strong 30 year olds. He uses bloated GPA scores form colleges to affirm that parents today are interfering with so much in their childrens lives that they are part of the problem in the weakness of tomorrows leaders: kid gets a "C" in math class, parents are on the phone the next day with the college professor, telling him he must have made a mistake, for example. He talks about how important it is for children to make mistakes, get hurt, learn from doing. The departure from this conventional wisdom, (where parents used to sit on park benches, now they are playing with their kids to ensure they will not injure themselves) he says, makes weak 18 year olds and in a lot of ways, I agree with that. The reason why we make great 30 year olds is because once children or young adults are outside of their parents influence, they do make mistakes in our dog-eat-dog, capitalist society; not only do they make mistakes, but they learn from them.
This is just one example (with way more citations and way more eloquent) of the various issues Dr. Mohler looks at: it speaks to the vast hole we are digging ourselves into as a culture and how that culture has shifted away from God so much, that is crumbling from the inside. With all the statistics and arguments Dr. Mohler makes, it's hard to disagree with him. I highly recommend this book!
November 3, 2017
I hesitate to give this only three stars simply because the truth is that I did enjoy reading it. However, it wasn't what I was expecting, and I don't think it accomplishes what the title conveys.
In short, it is a collection of 20 essays on cultural topics by Mohler. Almost like blog articles, if you will, with an emphasis on modern events and/or modern books/articles written by others. As a result, it is true that he covers topics such as education, abortion, wars, morality, homosexuality, natural disasters, and terrorism, but he doesn't do it in a way you'd expect. He doesn't address these head on while talking to you, the reader, about each in general. Instead, these are clearly essays that he has written in the past, mainly about specific articles/books written by others on these topics. As a result, it isn't really a Christian approach to these issues in general, but more scattered, specific responses to things that others said.
That all being said, I did enjoy reading it. Some of his essays were very intriguing. I especially loved the two essays on suffering and natural disaster. But it simply wasn't what I was expecting. It was clearly a collection of essays and not a book. I wonder if Platt's Counter Culture is more of what I was looking for.
So I'd tell somebody to read it if they are interested in reading Mohler's specific thoughts on things, or if they enjoy reading articles by him. But if not, I'd skip it.
In short, it is a collection of 20 essays on cultural topics by Mohler. Almost like blog articles, if you will, with an emphasis on modern events and/or modern books/articles written by others. As a result, it is true that he covers topics such as education, abortion, wars, morality, homosexuality, natural disasters, and terrorism, but he doesn't do it in a way you'd expect. He doesn't address these head on while talking to you, the reader, about each in general. Instead, these are clearly essays that he has written in the past, mainly about specific articles/books written by others on these topics. As a result, it isn't really a Christian approach to these issues in general, but more scattered, specific responses to things that others said.
That all being said, I did enjoy reading it. Some of his essays were very intriguing. I especially loved the two essays on suffering and natural disaster. But it simply wasn't what I was expecting. It was clearly a collection of essays and not a book. I wonder if Platt's Counter Culture is more of what I was looking for.
So I'd tell somebody to read it if they are interested in reading Mohler's specific thoughts on things, or if they enjoy reading articles by him. But if not, I'd skip it.
November 5, 2017
Although it doesn't talk extensively about any of the topics presented, this book is a great primer on some of the most pressing issues facing our culture today. It gives some really good advice on how to think about these issues in a Biblical way and calls Christians out to be actively engaged in the 'city of man' while still maintaining and working from a love of and passion for the 'city of God'. A really interesting and thought provoking read.
Favorite Quote: "Spirituality is what is left when authentic Christianity is evacuated from the public square. It is the refuge of the faithless seeking the trappings of faith without the demands of revealed truth. Spirituality affirms us in our self-centeredness and soothingly tells us that all is well. Authentic faith in Christ calls us out of ourselves, points us to the Cross, and summons us to follow Christ."
Favorite Quote: "Spirituality is what is left when authentic Christianity is evacuated from the public square. It is the refuge of the faithless seeking the trappings of faith without the demands of revealed truth. Spirituality affirms us in our self-centeredness and soothingly tells us that all is well. Authentic faith in Christ calls us out of ourselves, points us to the Cross, and summons us to follow Christ."
November 29, 2023
I am a fan of Dr. Mohler's writing in general and his work in the church (not that we agree on everything). However, this book was not his best effort. Each short chapter picks out some problem in the culture today and gives an example. Many of the examples are from newspaper articles, and that is how the whole book reads. He does not cover any topic in any depth or try to generalize from the one example given in the chapter. There is minimal Biblical/theological response other than to appear scandalized. The book is shallow and unhelpful, unless you want some reason to feel outraged.
April 30, 2021
Though this book is already dated (just 13 years after it was written), Mohler’s analysis of the culture still speaks into the tumultuous waters of the day. Mohler speaks with a biblical worldview about many hot button issues in such a way that you can still use his analysis with today’s hot button topics. Having read this via audiobook, and the audiobook is read by the author, this felt like 20 different segments from his podcast The Briefing.
February 27, 2024
I read an edition I bought back in 2018. It is a collection of thought provoking essays and I really felt there were some great started discussions in here. Quick to read and digest, though I would like to have something more deep, with more reading suggestions or details. A few of the essays felt like quick reviews, still helpful, but leaving something wanting. I still suggest reading it, even to browse some of his arguments to trigger any further study questions you want to research.
November 27, 2019
Anything by Albert Mohler is going to be worthwhile. This book, written in 2008, concerns the issues associated with the ongoing culture war in the 21st century. Reading it eleven years after it's first publication, one can see how things have deteriorated and how many of Mohler's warnings were well founded.
June 17, 2024
This book is a stark reminder that we are living in two cities. As Augustine wrote, and as Dr. Mohler references, we must strive to be an example of Jesus in the “City of Man.”
This booked is a great predictor of the years to come. Reading this today in 2024, we can see that he is spot on in what is to come in the shifting of our culture, and more so how to address it as faithful believers.
This booked is a great predictor of the years to come. Reading this today in 2024, we can see that he is spot on in what is to come in the shifting of our culture, and more so how to address it as faithful believers.
September 14, 2025
Written nearly 20 years ago yet it was surprisingly potent especially following the devastating assassination of Charlie Kirk this week. The references to hurricane Katrina and the Thailand tsunami do date the book. However, Al Mohler has a timeless, faithful, and clear way of applying a biblical perspective to any situation.
May 12, 2017
As always, Dr. Mohler brings biblically grounded clarity to social and moral issues by challenging modern secularistic and materialistic viewpoints from the Christian worldview. Well worth listening, or reading.
November 30, 2017
Really good information presented in a bland manner. I appreciate the info (although as the book is several years old, the information is not as topical as it could be), but the presentation felt like I was reading sermons.
April 28, 2020
We are in Classical Conversations homeschool community. This felt like a beautiful summary and application of topics studied and discussed during g the challenge program. Short chapters and enjoyable read!
June 3, 2022
A collection of 20 essays that read, as one good reads reviewer wrote, like an episode of The Briefing. The majority were essentially book reviews with some applications thrown in at the end. Generally helpful, but not his best.
April 2, 2024
This book was aptly written, "for such a time as this!"
It's relevant to the core, not only in the Western culture but also speaks to the recipients of this cultural diffusion. A Christian response is not only necessary but urgent.
It's relevant to the core, not only in the Western culture but also speaks to the recipients of this cultural diffusion. A Christian response is not only necessary but urgent.
August 20, 2017
Even though a couple years old still quite timely.
April 22, 2018
Some of the articles are becoming dated due to the shifting culture, but still good and relevant information.
June 14, 2018
Good—typical Mohler. It is well-reasoned and well-presented. Rooted in sound doctrine. These are short chapters which appear much like a collection of “The Briefing” segments.
July 3, 2019
Succinct and clear
October 10, 2019
3.5 stars.
January 22, 2020
A good book on important issues. The only problem I had with it was that it felt like I was reading past episodes of The Briefing. Nonetheless, good book.
May 3, 2021
Well-written, prophetic, provokes deep thought, doesn't claim to have all the pat answers, very biblical.
August 31, 2021
This is a book of essays by Dr Mohler on issues of our culture. He is thoughtful and insightful in his ideas concerning our culture.
March 15, 2017
A short book that shows no matter what difficulties we face in this world (postmodernism, abortion, racism) Christ is not only King but the solution.
August 4, 2011
I just finished reading Culture Shift by Al Mohler.
Mohler is the president at Souther Seminary and I have to be honest, I was a little nervous about reading this book. When I went to seminary (another southern baptist seminary) I left with a really bad taste in my mouth.
I felt like I was surrounded by people who loved to argue theology but were afraid to engage or interact with the culture. This is the problem of a lot of evangelical Christians. We like the idea of changing the world in the name of Christ but we are afraid to be exposed to the "world's evils" which I firmly believe is a bigger statement about our faith than it is about the culture.
Mohler's book (for the most part) is a breath of fresh air. Mohler uses good theology, merged with common world views from a variety of sources and ends up presenting a call for Christians to engage the world with a gospel of grace and change.
In the introduction of this book Mohler makes it clear that to sacrifice theology and blend in to the culture is a sin, but at the same time it is a sin to not live a missional lifestyle.
Mohler's take on the so called secular world view, how to deal with the issue of abortion and world relief are well thought out and well written. Mohler makes it clear that a Christian can be smart, well informed, well balanced, and yet hold to an accurate theology.
There are a couple of issues where I find Mohler a little hazy. One example is that Mohler speaks out against torture but still says there is a place for it. Unfortunately this is a pretty wide view and yet there is not definition for when such action would be deemed acceptable. I will admit that it is hard to reconcile any form of torture while holding to a belief that all people are created in the image of God.
There are also two chapters that Mohler writes in regard to dealing with students which seem to contradict each other. In one chapter Mohler expounds on the idea that we are raising a nation of wimps. This is due to increased coddling by parents who try to protect their children from any form of evil, including the child's own bad choices. When I read this chapter I found myself saying "amen" and banging a tambourine in my head quite a bit. It was like my own private mental charismatic worship service in my head.
However, in the other chapter regarding parents and raising Christian students he leads to the idea that parents should begin preparing an exit strategy from public school to protect them from the "evil teachings of homosexuality and sexual behavior" I firmly think that this flies in the face of his argument about how parents treat their children.
It seems to me that the parents could respond to this by engaging in conversation with their students (it might be awkward but it is also biblical). No student wants to hear their parents talking about sexual acts but that is part of life. This way parents can combat information that is being taught to their students while continuing to allow their students to be light in a dark world.
I do not think it is any coincidence that out nation's jr. high and high schools have become as spiritually dark as they have which Christian parents have pulled their Christian children out of high school at record numbers.
It reminds me of a quote that I used to have as my wallpaper on computer by Rob Bell. He said. "Why blame the dark for being dark, it is far more helpful to ask the light why it is not as bright as it should be."
Although I tend to begin disagreeing with Mohler on these areas I would still highly recommend this book to anybody who would like to read a good philosophy in how to deal these issues in our society in a way that is not judgmental but in a way that is loving and points people to Christ.
Mohler is the president at Souther Seminary and I have to be honest, I was a little nervous about reading this book. When I went to seminary (another southern baptist seminary) I left with a really bad taste in my mouth.
I felt like I was surrounded by people who loved to argue theology but were afraid to engage or interact with the culture. This is the problem of a lot of evangelical Christians. We like the idea of changing the world in the name of Christ but we are afraid to be exposed to the "world's evils" which I firmly believe is a bigger statement about our faith than it is about the culture.
Mohler's book (for the most part) is a breath of fresh air. Mohler uses good theology, merged with common world views from a variety of sources and ends up presenting a call for Christians to engage the world with a gospel of grace and change.
In the introduction of this book Mohler makes it clear that to sacrifice theology and blend in to the culture is a sin, but at the same time it is a sin to not live a missional lifestyle.
Mohler's take on the so called secular world view, how to deal with the issue of abortion and world relief are well thought out and well written. Mohler makes it clear that a Christian can be smart, well informed, well balanced, and yet hold to an accurate theology.
There are a couple of issues where I find Mohler a little hazy. One example is that Mohler speaks out against torture but still says there is a place for it. Unfortunately this is a pretty wide view and yet there is not definition for when such action would be deemed acceptable. I will admit that it is hard to reconcile any form of torture while holding to a belief that all people are created in the image of God.
There are also two chapters that Mohler writes in regard to dealing with students which seem to contradict each other. In one chapter Mohler expounds on the idea that we are raising a nation of wimps. This is due to increased coddling by parents who try to protect their children from any form of evil, including the child's own bad choices. When I read this chapter I found myself saying "amen" and banging a tambourine in my head quite a bit. It was like my own private mental charismatic worship service in my head.
However, in the other chapter regarding parents and raising Christian students he leads to the idea that parents should begin preparing an exit strategy from public school to protect them from the "evil teachings of homosexuality and sexual behavior" I firmly think that this flies in the face of his argument about how parents treat their children.
It seems to me that the parents could respond to this by engaging in conversation with their students (it might be awkward but it is also biblical). No student wants to hear their parents talking about sexual acts but that is part of life. This way parents can combat information that is being taught to their students while continuing to allow their students to be light in a dark world.
I do not think it is any coincidence that out nation's jr. high and high schools have become as spiritually dark as they have which Christian parents have pulled their Christian children out of high school at record numbers.
It reminds me of a quote that I used to have as my wallpaper on computer by Rob Bell. He said. "Why blame the dark for being dark, it is far more helpful to ask the light why it is not as bright as it should be."
Although I tend to begin disagreeing with Mohler on these areas I would still highly recommend this book to anybody who would like to read a good philosophy in how to deal these issues in our society in a way that is not judgmental but in a way that is loving and points people to Christ.
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